Our RCH Paediatricians once again made the journey to immerse themselves in the communities of the Wimmera, visiting more of the places and people that mak up our region.

Cara and Emily were incredibly grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to chat with Josh from the The Just Be Nice Project before his talk in Horsham.

In a world where bad news seems to dominate the airwaves and permeate every corner of our lives, our children are not immune to the psychological toll of these events. The conversations overheard, the news reports blaring from radios and televisions, all serve to inundate their impressionable minds with images of violence, tragedy and uncertainty. As concerned adults, it’s natural to wonder: how do we shield our children from the overwhelming pressures of this tumultuous environment?

Stay up to date on all things ECEC with an update on a busy few months for the team.

In the heart of country life, as the football and netball season unfolds once again, it’s vital to recognise that sports aren’t merely about competition and recreation; they serve as crucial pillars in shaping the lives of our children.

Small actions can have a big impact on a child’s day, and their happiness. By Five have partnered with local schools and kinders to hear from children, what does kindness mean to them?

Welcome to our first newsletter edition for 2024, and what a great start to the new year it has been!

By Five along with our allies and partners came together from across the Wimmera, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee region to passionately articulate the challenges our small rural communities face when it comes to equitable ECEC to the Productivity Commission inquiry.

Pride, fist-pumping and passionfruit - This month’s column has it all!

During his visit to the Wimmera last week, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to present Associate Professor Gehan Roberts with a replica of our prestigious Victorian Early Years Award for ‘Promoting Children’s Health and Wellbeing’ in 2023.

By Five had the pleasure of hosting three wonderful guests in the Wimmera last week from the Centre for Community Child Health and Royal Children's Hospital - Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Associate Professor Gehan Roberts, and Julia Mayes.

Emily and Hannah enjoyed a catch-up with our Friends of By Five member to discuss access to antenatal care across the region, and share stories of accessing care while pregnant, and post birth.

This International Women’s Day, Jo joined a panel of inspirational women on behalf of By Five.

To finish of February and farewell Summer Cara and Hannah welcomed a small group of diverse professionals involved in our flagship Paediatric Project to participate in an early morning breakfast and workshop to assist us in creating a visual to reflect this rural model of paediatric service delivery that integrates with local services on the ground.

By Five are very excited that the Wimmera and North Central areas are being provided an opportunity to meet with the Productivity Commission into ECEC to discuss rural challenges and feedback on the draft report in March 2024.

Take note, tired parents and carers! Our community has services that can lend a helping hand. One fantastic resource is the good old local library and their engaging ‘Rhyme Time’ and 'Story Time' sessions.

This project, in partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital, was never intended to be ‘just another service’ in the ever coming and going, opening and closing, trying and trialling, revolving door of projects and programs that seem to fly in and fly out of places like ours.

Many of us will have driven or visited our hometowns over the Christmas and New Year break and for those who have been ‘home’ we can probably see firsthand the changes over time; some are fabulous and others, particularly population decline, are particularly more notable.

How often do you find yourself passing judgement on other parents, children or people in general - either outwardly or mentally? Perhaps more often than we care to admit?

As we all race to get everything done before going on Christmas leave, it is also nice to take the opportunity to reflect on the year that’s been.