By Five: Enormous Local Impact - but Scaling Back Without State Investment
By Five: Enormous Local Impact, But No State Funding
By Five has emerged as a powerful regional collaboration, driving practical, local solutions to improve outcomes for children across the Wimmera Southern Mallee.
Since its inception—through various phases of development—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. Key achievements include:
Tackling early childhood education and care gaps: By Five has identified systemic barriers to the provision of sustainable Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) across the WSM. In response, it developed a collective regional strategy underpinned by national advocacy. These efforts will not only benefit children and families across the region but also strengthen the liveability of our rural towns. Crucially, we have also nurtured and expanded the essential workforce needed to deliver this vital service.
Advocating for improved maternity care: By Five has presented a compelling case for improving antenatal services in rural communities, advocating for models that support both existing and future health professionals. This vision has been informed by deep engagement with local women and frontline health providers.
Delivering local paediatric care: More than 500 children have accessed paediatric services close to home — services that previously required long travel or lengthy waits. Alongside this, over 100 local professionals have been supported to deliver care confidently and consistently within their communities.
Bringing allied health into schools: In partnership with five local primary schools, By Five has trialled the delivery of weekly allied health services—including speech, occupational therapy and psychology directly to students. The results have been significant, improving both clinical outcomes for students and the overall learning environment for staff and classmates.
These practical trials and evaluations have delivered much more than services — they’ve built insight. We’ve learned about the realities of the early years service system in rural settings: the barriers, the enablers, and the policy shifts required to ensure equity for country children.
Despite receiving no ongoing funding from the State Government, By Five continues to demonstrate that rural disadvantage is not a given. It’s a systemic issue — one that can be addressed with vision, collaboration, and a commitment to local solutions. Because this work is not just about services — it’s about creating a future where every child in the Wimmera Southern Mallee can thrive, learn, and grow up in a community that truly supports them. By Five will need to scale back its work and team as we reassess the future moving forward.
