Vol. No. Vol. 2718No. 4727
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Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, June13, 4, 2025
Seeking options B
BY LAUREN HENRY
y Five Early Years Initiative is looking at alternative models of funding to secure its future after confirmation it missed out on State Government funding.
Establishing a foundation to privately fund the children’s development service is one option being explored, as is seeking funding from the Federal Government or philanthropic organisations. The initial four-year State Government investment was funded through the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership, and expires on June 30. By Five, which has assisted hundreds of families across Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack municipalities, was unsuccessful in seeking $3.5-million to fund another four years of its services. By Five executive officer Jo Martin said following missing out on State Budget funding, it had sought a small allocation to enable time to transition to another model. “But at this stage that has not been forthcoming,” she said. The uncertain future will result in job cuts to By Five’s five part-time staff members, who Ms Martin said would be supported to find alternative roles. Mrs Martin said she was ‘very hopeful’ the paediatric service – which was reducing paediatric wait times by up to 75 per cent for Wimmera families – would continue. “If we can secure some funds or a service that will take on the local co-ordination – the paediatrician access has been secured, which is an enormous win for the Wimmera,” she said. “We really are hoping that service providers in the Wimmera can accommodate this role and secure this highly valued service in the coming weeks. Without this, we risk losing even more in our region. “Knowing what we do about how children
across the Wimmera are faring, it would be negligent for us as rural leaders to let the focus on this work slide. “We cannot just sit by knowing our children are not getting their fair share of services and support that leads to them not only starting school well behind their metro peers, but has a flow-on impact to families who call the area home and the future prosperity of our region.” Mrs Martin said leaders across the region would continue to find a way for By Five’s work to go on in some form. “Over the past four years we have learnt so much about what is underpinning many of these service access challenges, we have worked alongside these communities and professionals in trialling more effective and efficient approaches to and delivered improved outcomes,” she said. Mrs Martin also called for anyone who was interested in becoming a partner or investing in the organisation to make contact. “If we have any generous community partners who also think this work is important, we would love to have a chat and see what is possible,” she said. A State Government spokesperson said the Department of Education’s local early childhood teams would continue to work closely with councils, service providers and other community stakeholders to drive improvements, opportunities and outcomes for children in the Wimmera-southern Mallee. “The By Five Early Years initiative has had a period of government funding and support to raise community awareness and establish enduring local partnerships,” she said. “We’re continuing to support healthcare across regional Victoria, investing in our world-class health system and backing our frontline health workforce – this year’s budget includes an additional $11.1-billion as part of the biggest ever investment into frontline care.” Continued page 3
NEW CHAPTER: Ararat library’s refurbishment was unveiled at a free community open day yesterday, which featured morning tea, activities and giveaways, and showcased the space’s new flooring, mobile shelving, improved signage, soft furniture and public computers. Ararat Rural City Council invested $200,000 to upgrade the library, in response to the community’s changing needs and feedback. Samantha Careless took her children Koah, 3, and Zipporah, 1, to the library’s reopening. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
IN THIS ISSUE • Mixed reactions to drought support • Council opposes VNI West • 170th Apsley Cup Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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