It was an honour to be invited to share some of the thinking from our region in relation to ECEC and Antenatal care across our region with other Rural Councils across Victoria.

Last month, Early Childhood Australia’s CEO, Samantha Page, and Policy Executive, Sarah Wight, visited the Wimmera Mallee to hear first-hand from our communities about the real impact of inaccessible childcare in small rural towns like ours.

An exciting new local partnership with Uniting Vic Tas. and Grampians Health will take the paediatric service into its next phase with ongoing support from The Royal Children’s Hospital.

The ECEC Workforce Group have been resolutely busy!

Since its inception By Five has consistently championed innovation in rural service delivery, especially in thin and failed markets where traditional approaches to child health and education often fall short.

The Wimmera community is deeply disappointed that the Victorian State Government has chosen not to invest in completing the crucial work we've begun to give our rural children the best possible start in life.

Our incredible Wimmera community have come together in a powerful show of support — not only highlighting the value of By Five but reaffirming a shared commitment to improving the lives of our children.

Together we’ve made a difference to the lives of children and families. But we’re not done. We’re calling on you now to ‘Back By Five’.

Catch up on the January, February & March 2025 By Five Newsletter as we start the year with a bang!

Where better to kick off a National roadshow than the stunning Lake Lascelles in Hopetoun? The newly established National entity, PLACE (Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment), is dedicated to strengthening place-based approaches—ensuring communities have a voice in decision-making alongside governments on the issues that matter most to them.

As we eagerly await the outcome of the State budget, our commitment remains unwavering. We are determined to finish what we’ve started — to make the Wimmera the best place to raise a child.

Royal Far West services have literally changed lives according to the wonderful principals, staff & parents we met with this week when we had the pleasure of welcoming CEO Jacquie Emery to the Wimmera.

A recent study found that the WWHS Maternity and Early Years Service is underpinned by, and seamlessly combines, key components of a Rural Health Care Model, and Relational Model of Care and a Feminist Model of Care.

By Five recently had the opportunity to provide a submission to the Victorian Maternity Taskforce, highlighting challenges and opportunities related to the provision of maternity services in our region.

Hear from our passionate Paediatricians from 2021 - 2025 as they share their reflections of their time working and collaborating with the professionals, families and children of the Wimmera Southern Mallee.

By Five is proud to release the Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Stories of Pregnancy and Birth – a group of stories we have collected from women across the region.

Once again, we enjoyed a whirlwind visit from our amazing Paediatricians, Dr Nadia and Dr Kate, who joined us from RCH Melbourne to immerse themselves in the people and places that are the Wimmera.

The data has been crunched and the dashboard is complete, we’re proud to share all that’s been achieved through our Paediatric Project in 2024!

In 2024, we have revisited our baseline data, and also explored and consolidated new avenues of information and relevant local barriers and enablers to equitable access to quality childcare, providing a better understanding of the evolving story across the Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM).