No funding for By Five

Published on 21 May 2025

Yarriambiack Shire Council are devastated that By Five did not secure funding from the State Government in yesterday's budget release. 

Wimmera Southern Mallee children are 40% 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 (Yarriambiack is one of them). 

11 out of 19 towns within the By Five footprint, with populations over 300, have no childcare services. 

Mayor Kylie Zanker stated “Without access to quality early childhood education and healthcare, families and communities face long-term social and economic challenges.”

By Five has implemented a tertiary paediatrics service supporting over 500 rural and remote children in our region with essential paediatric services, reducing paediatric wait times by 75%. 

They have developed an Early Childhood Education and Care model tailored specifically for rural communities. Their model and vision supported the partnership with Emerge Early Years Services with an aim of reopening childcare in Hopetoun. 

They have proposed an innovative service model that ensures high-quality antenatal care close to home. 

They have coordinated speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological services for remote children and education staff in our region. 

“By Five requires funding to continue their work and improve outcomes for young residents” continued Mayor Zanker.

“Every child, regardless of location, deserves the best start to life” Mayor Zanker added.

Mayor Zanker concluded “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.”

Yarriambiack Shire Council expressed its concern at a February meeting of Council when it became aware that funding for By Five’s future had become uncertain, and advocated for By Five WSM to be funded.

END

Mayor Kylie Zanker