General News
28 May, 2025
By Five misses out on funding
Vital early years' 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.
Dr Felix Ritson is a key part of the successful program and said the loss of funding would disadvantage many of the region's most vulnerable.
"The decision to discontinue the funding of the ByFive program will result in worsened health outcomes for young persons, families, and the broader community.
"It is very disappointing to see the current Allan government making bad decisions that disproportionately harm regional areas," he said.
"A community-driven grass roots endeavour that connects a broad range of service users and providers, is, in my opinion, public health gold."
"Continuing funding this program would have been a very efficient use of state resources, and it makes absolutely no sense to me that such funding would be cut," he said.
Three of the five local government areas that By Five covers are ranked amongst the 10 most disadvantaged areas in Victoria.
11 out of 19 towns within the By Five footprint, with populations over 300, have no access to childcare services.
Expressing their deep disappointment on the organisation's social media, a spokesperson for 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 work matters, the need remains, and our rural children are our future."
Over the past four years, By Five has delivered essential paediatric services 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.
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 Rixton 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."
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said despite incredible advocacy and community support, By Five was not listed in the budget papers for ongoing funding.
“By Five is a tremendous local program that has made significant advancements in improving health and education outcomes for children in the Wimmera and Southern Mallee," she said.
“I call on the government to immediately verify if By Five will receive ongoing funding and, if not, explain why to our communities that rely on and support this wonderful initiative.”