General News
30 May, 2025
By Five misses out on funding
Vital early year's service, By Five, has missed out on funds to keep the service going after the State Government's budget didn't renew the service.
Since launching in 2021 as a flagship Andrews Labor Government initiative, the By Five was created after concerning early childhood data was released.
One in four children were starting school developmentally vulnerable in the Wimmera Southern Mallee, a figure that worsened to one in three post-Covid.
Wimmera Southern Mallee children are 40 per cent more likely to be developmentally vulnerable and experience higher rates of preventable hospitalisations than the state average.
Three of the five local government areas that By Five covers are ranked amongst the 10 most disadvantaged areas in Victoria, including Yarriambiack Shire.
11 out of 19 towns within the By Five footprint, with populations over 300, have no access to childcare services.
Mayor Kylie Zanker said without access to quality early childhood education and healthcare, families and communities face long-term social and economic challenges.
“By Five requires funding to continue their work and improve outcomes for young residents," she said.
“Every child, regardless of location, deserves the best start to life."
Over the past four years, By Five has delivered essential paediatric service to over 500 rural and remote children which dramatically decreased wait times from three years to six weeks.
They developed an Early Childhood Education and Care model tailored specifically for rural communities.
Their model and vision supported the partnership with Emerge Early Years Service with an aim of reopening childcare in Hopetoun.
They have proposed an innovative service model that ensures high-quality antenatal care close to home with coordinated speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychological services for remote children and education staff in the region.
“We stand with you Jo and the By Five Team – and we will continue to fight and advocate for funding to support this vital service," Cr Zanker said.
With the current funding ceasing on June 30, hundreds of community members, allied health professionals alongside others, rallied behind By Five during an online community event in April.
Guest speakers including Dr Felix Ritson GP, Rainbow P-12 College principal Colleen Petschel, families who utilise the service and many others, addressed how By Five has helped them provide care for the younger generation.
By Five executive officer Jo Martin said the organisation doesn't just talk about change.
"We make it happen through partnerships that cross health, education, and social services," she said.
"By Five stands out because we understand local issues deeply and design solutions with our community.
"This isn’t just about better outcomes for children – it’s about building a stronger, fairer future for rural communities."
Expressing their deep disappointment on the organisation's Facebook page, the By Five team said, "We are beyond disappointed to share this news".
"We've shown what's possible when rural communities are given the tools and trust to lead change from the ground up.
"To every individual who supported the By Five campaign in one form or another, thank you.
"This isn't the outcome we hoped for, but it doesn't change the truth: this vital works matters, the need remains, and our rural children are our future."
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the initiative has had a long period of government funding to support to raise community awareness and establish enduring local partnerships.
“Children and families in Yarriambiack Shire have access to affordable childcare and Free Kinder at Early Learning Victoria Bani Walup, which opened in Murtoa earlier this year," they said.
“Four-year-old children in Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack are already accessing up to 30 hours of Pre-Prep this year, and children in Horsham and West Wimmera will benefit from more time at kinder in 2026 and 2027 respectively.”