Liquor forum guest speakers

In Victoria, local government is made up of 79 councils representing over 5.5 million people. Councils are area-based, representative governments with a legislative and electoral mandate to manage local issues and plan for the community's needs.

Victorian local government maintains peace, order and good governance, delivering more than 100 different services to people who live, work and visit the local council area.

It also manages community infrastructure and assets in partnership with communities and is responsible for implementing many diverse programs, policies and regulations set by the Victorian and Australian governments.

For more information on contacting your local council, visit the Municipal Association of Victoria  website.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission works with others to eliminate discrimination and build a community that respects and promotes human rights and equal opportunity.

For more information visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission  website.

Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria regulates unbooked services (taxi rank and hail) and booked services (taxis, hire cars and rideshare vehicles). They also issue driving instructor authorities.

For more information visit the Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria  website.

The Victorian Taxi Association works with the regulator and the Victorian Government to achieve policy and regulation, which recognise the operational realities of taxis and encourages excellence in service delivery.

For more information visit the Victorian Taxi Association  website.

Worksafe Victoria works with the community to deliver outstanding workplace safety and return to work, together with insurance protection.

For more information visit the Worksafe Victoria  website.

VicRoads helps provide Victorians with safe and easy connections to the people and places that matter most to them.

For more information visit the VicRoads  website.

The Environment Protection Authority role is to be an effective environmental regulator and an influential authority on environmental impacts. Helping to provide a healthier environment that supports a liveable and prosperous Victoria.

For more information visit the Environment Protection Authority  website.

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation works towards helping the community understand and be aware of responsible gambling. Also provides problem gambling counselling and other services to those affected by problem gambling.

For more information visit the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation  website.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services integrates health and human services policies, programs and services to improve the wellbeing of all Victorians.

For more information visit the Department of Health and Human Services  website.

The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation's (VicHealth) main objective is to help promote a healthier Victoria by promoting good health and preventing chronic disease.

For more information visit the VicHealth  website.

Emergency Services

The Victoria Police mission is to ensure a safe, secure and orderly society by serving the community and the law. Police members can discuss variety of different topics such as:

• Taskforce RAZON
• Taskforce ECHO
• armed robbery
• licensing services (crowd controllers)
• family violence coordination unit
• road policing (road trauma)
• crime prevention.

For more information visit the Victoria Police  website.

Ambulance Victoria responds to people living in Victoria who are seriously ill or severely injured due to accident or illness.

For more information visit the Ambulance Victoria  website.

Melbourne Fire Brigade services the metropolitan district, an area of over 1,000 square kilometres and:

• delivers fire and emergency management services
• drives systemic change to the built environment through reforms to building design, regulations and legislation
• invests in research
• develops prevention programs that improve community safety and build resilience.

For more information visit the Melbourne Fire Brigade  website.

Country Fire Authority is a volunteer and community-based fire and emergency services organisation. It is committed to the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases of emergency situations, providing a diverse range of risk reduction, fire suppression and incident management services to minimise the impact of fires and other emergencies on Victorian communities.

For more information visit the Country Fire Authority  website.

Community Organisations

The Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne. The ADF's work is inclusive of both legal and illegal drugs on a national level and focuses on primary and secondary prevention.

The Foundation has a vision to 'create Australian culture that supports people so they can live healthy, safe and satisfying lives, unaffected by drug problems'.

For more information visit the Australian Drug Foundation  website.

Incorporating Good Sports with sporting clubs to help make sustainable and positive changes to alcohol management. This in turn benefits players, members and the broader community by providing a healthier and safer environment.

For more information visit the Good Sports  website.

Neighbourhood Watch is a community-based crime prevention program that aims at reducing the incidence of preventable crime such as burglary and theft as well as promoting closer community ties. The program educates residents on security and safety and the reporting of suspicious incidents to the police.

For more information visit the Neighbourhood Watch  website.

Gambler's Help provides high quality of support and services to people who have a gambling problem, their families and communities at risk.

For more information visit the Gambler's Help  website.

The Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre promotes and maximises the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities living with, and affected by alcohol and other drug-related harms.

For more information visit the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre  website.

Beyond Blue works towards reducing the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding, empowering people to seek help, and supporting recovery, management and resilience.

For more information visit the Beyond Blue  website.

DirectLine offers 24-hour telephone counselling, information sessions and referrals service for any Victorians wishing to discuss an alcohol or drug-related problem.

For more information visit the DirectLine  website.