General News
19 November, 2025
Mums want care cash share
YOUNG mothers are uniting to win their town a share of the Federal Government’s $5 million commitment for more child care in Loddon Shire.
The Boort mothers are frustrated that some are spending up to three hours a day taking their children to care in Wycheproof, Charlton or Kerang in between working in the shire’s northern town.
Hannah Whitehouse, an executive assistant at Boort District Health, says her day starts with dropping her daughter at kindergarten in Boort followed by a trip to Kerang where her son attends child care and returning to Boort for work.
“I finish work at 3.30pm and it’s then back up to Kerang again,” she said.
Hannah said she had investigated gaining day dare accreditation when she moved back to her home town.
“But the red tape and the hurdles you have to jump through doesn’t make that worthwhile,”
she said.
“There are a lot of young families in Boort and young families need child care.
“This is a lovely place to bring up our kids. It could be even better if we had good local access to child care.”
Loddon Shire remains in a child care desert until next February when an early learning centre opens in Wedderburn.
The State Government agreed to the Wedderburn centre after a strong community campaign by mothers and Wedderburn College.
Now, Boort mothers say a share of the Federal Government’s election eve commitment in May should be earmarked for the north of the shire.
Hannah and other mothers told the Loddon Herald that care spots were scarce in other towns. And because they live in a different municipality, they are not high on the priority list.
The Federal Government is yet to release details of how its commitment will be allocated.
Inglewood is also pushing for a share to service southern towns.