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A liquor forum is a meeting of licensees, police, local council and liquor industry representatives who meet regularly.
Benefits of attending liquor forums:
- Improve the operation of your business, making it safer for your community.
- Keep up to date with your responsibilities.
- Network and build relationships with other local businesses and police.
- Develop local harm prevention actions.
- Share knowledge and experience.
Joining a liquor forum
If you are a licensee or manager and want to join a liquor forum, contact your forum from the list below.
If you can’t find one in your area, contact your local police to see if there is an active forum or plan to establish one.
List of forums in Victoria
AFL Barwon
Geelong Police Station
Liquor Licensing Unit
Telephone: 03 5225 3226AFL Barwon liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 353.85 KBIf you would like to join the AFL Barwon liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Apollo Bay
Sergeant Andrew Harris
Geelong Police
Telephone: 03 5225 3145
Email: andrew.harris@police.vic.gov.auApollo Bay liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 4.25 MBIf you would like to join the Apollo Bay liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Ararat
Sergeant Robert Dean Bartorelli
Ararat Police Station
Telephone: 03 5355 1500
Email: Robert-Dean.Bartorelli@police.vic.gov.auArarat liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 1010.68 KBIf you would like to join the Ararat liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Bairnsdale and Omeo Alpine District
Sergeant Scott Gray
Bairnsdale Police Station
Telephone: 03 5150 2600
Email bairnsdale-liq-acc-mgr@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Bairnsdale liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Bairnsdale and Omeo Alpine District accord(opens in a new window)PDF 483.12 KBBallarat
Sergeant Oliver Bayley
Ballarat Police Station
Telephone: 03 5336 6000
Email: Bayley.Oliver@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Ballarat liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Ballarat Liquor Accord 2023(opens in a new window)PDF 884.49 KBBenalla
Benalla Police Station
Telephone: 03 5760 0200
Email: BENALLA-LIQUOR-ACCORD-MGR@police.vic.gov.au
If you would like to join the Benalla liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.Bendigo
Vanessa Wait
City of Greater Bendigo
Telephone: 03 5434 6389
Email: v.wait@bendigo.vic.gov.auBendigo liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 4.15 MBIf you would like to join the Bendigo liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above, or alternatively complete the Bendigo Liquor Accord membership form.
Brimbank
Sergeant Timothy Lane
Keilor Downs Police
Telephone: 03 9363 3333
Email: timothy.lane@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Brimbank liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Colac
Sergeant Andrew Harris
Geelong Police
Telephone: 03 5225 3145
Email: Andrew.harris@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Colac liquor forum, phone one of the contacts listed above.
Colac liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 304 KBDarebin
Sergeant Lee-Anne Hamilton
Northcote Police
Telephone: 03 9403 0200
Email: lee.anne.hamilton@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Darebin liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Echuca (Campaspe)
Inspector David Bowler
Victoria Police
Telephone: 03 5483 1500
Email: david.bowler@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Echuca (Campaspe) liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Campaspe liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 1.59 MBFalls Creek
Inspector Pauline Williams
Telephone: 03 5723 0827
Email: pauline.williams@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Falls Creek liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Frankston
The Licencing Inspector
Frankston Police
Telephone: 03 9784 5634
Email: FRANKSTON-LAC-OIC@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Frankston liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Gannawarra (Kerang & Cohuna)
Sergeant Andrew Neil
Kerang Police Station
Telephone: 03 5452 1955
Email: andrew.s.neil@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Gannawarra (Kerang & Cohuna) liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Geelong
Sergeant Andrew Harris
Geelong Police
Telephone: 03 5225 3145
Email: andrew.harris@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Geelong liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Geelong liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 350.5 KBGeelong Packaged Liquor
Sergeant Andrew Harris
Geelong Police
Telephone: 03 5225 3145
Email: andrew.harris@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Geelong (Packaged Liquor) liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Geelong packaged liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 363.5 KBGreater Dandenong
Sergeant Pat Green
Springvale Police Station
Telephone: 03 8558 8600
Email: patrick.green@police.vic.gov.au
View the Greater Dandenong Liquor AccordIf you would like to join the Greater Dandenong liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Hastings
A/Senior Sergeant Jason Iles
Hastings Police Station
Telephone: 03 5970 7806
Email: jason.iles@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Hastings liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Hastings Liquor Accord(opens in a new window)PDF 1.26 MBHobsons Bay
A/Senior Sergeant Jordan Harris
Williamstown Police Station
Telephone: 03 9393 9555
Email: jordan.harris@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Hobsons Bay liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Horsham and District
Sergeant Mark Kennedy
Horsham Police Station
Telephone: 03 5382 9200
Email: mark.t.kennedy@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Horsham liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Horsham and District liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 567.5 KBKingston
Inspector Matt Mulcahy
Kingston Local Area Commander
Telephone: 03 9556 6530
Email: matthew.mulcahy@police.vic.gov.auSnr Sergeant Dave Morrow
Mordialloc Police Station
Telephone: 03 9588 2988If you would like to join the Kingston liquor forum, email or phone the contacts listed above.
Knox
Kathleen van der Weerden
Knox City Council
Telephone: 03 9298 8265
Email: kathleen.vdw@knox.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Knox liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Lakes Entrance
Lakes Entrance Police
Telephone: 03 5155 1206
Email: lakesentrance-docser@police.vic.gov.auLakes Entrance and District liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 6.78 MBIf you would like to join the Lakes Entrance liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Macedon Ranges
Sergeant Mark Street
Kyneton Police Station
Telephone: 03 5421 2900
Email: mark.street@police.vic.gov.auMallee Track
Senior Sergeant Anthony Keely
Ouyen Police Station
Telephone: 03 5092 2502
Email: anthony.keely@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Mallee Track liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Mansfield
Julie King
Mansfield Police
Telephone: 03 5775 2555
Email: julie.king@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Mansfield liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Mansfield Shire liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 1.08 MBMaribyrnong
Inspector Paul Morgan
Footscray Police Complex
Telephone: 03 8398 9800
Email: NWM-MARIBYRNONG-PSA@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Maribyrnong liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Maroondah
Robyn Williams
Community Development Officer
Telephone: 03 9294 5745
Email: accord@maroondah.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Maroondah liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Melbourne CBD
Tom Robertson
City of Melbourne
Telephone: 03 9658 8895
Email: tom.robertson@melbourne.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Melbourne Licensees Forum, visit melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Melton
Melton Police Station
Telephone: 03 9747 7999If you would like to join the Melton liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Melton liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 2.12 MBMitchell Southern Cluster
A/Sergeant Joel Page
Wallan Police Station
Telephone: 03 5783 0400
Email: joel.page@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Mitchell Southern Cluster liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Moe
Sergeant Steve Owen
Moe Police Station
Telephone: 03 5128 1100
Email: steven.owen@police.vic.gov.auLatrobe City liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 4.5 MBIf you would like to join the Moe liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Moorabool (Bacchus Marsh)
Sergeant Adam Whitworth
Bacchus Marsh Police Station
Telephone: 03 5366 4500
Email: adam.whitworth@police.vic.gov.auMoorabool liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 158.94 KBIf you would like to join the Moorabool (Bacchus Marsh) liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Merri-bek
Merri-bek Licensing Inspector
Telephone: 03 9355 6191
Email: MERRI-BEK-LAC-OIC@police.vic.gov.auMornington
Vicki Bacon or Karon Gibbons
Mornington Peninsula Shire
Telephone: 03 5950 1446
Email: business@mornpen.vic.gov.auActing Sergeant Daniel Patten
Mornington Police Station
Telephone: 03 5970 4900
Email: daniel.r.patten@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Mornington liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Mornington liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 1.48 MBMt Buller
Licensing Sergeant
Mansfield Police
Telephone: 03 5775 2555If you would like to join the Mt Buller liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Mt Buller liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 1.28 MBMt Hotham
Inspector Pauline Williams
Telephone: 03 5723 0827
Email: pauline.williams@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Mt Hotham liquor foru, phone the contact listed above.
Murrindindi
Senior Sergeant Mark Hesse
Murrindindi Region
Email: mark.hesse@police.vic.gov.auSergeant Andrew Walker
Alexandra Police Station
Telephone: 03 5772 1040
Email: Andrew.x.walker@police.vic.gov.auSergeant Trevor Connell
Yea Police Station
Telephone: 03 5797 2630
Email: trevor.connell@police.vic.gov.auSergeant Michael Mannix
Eildon Police Station
Telephone: 03 5774 2104
Email: michael.mannix@police.vic.gov.auSergeant James Lee
Marysville Police Station
Telephone: 03 5963 3222
Email: james.r.lee@police.vic.gov.auSergeant Matthew Wheeler
Kinglake Police Station
Telephone: 03 5786 1333
Email: matthew.wheeler@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Murrindindi liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Phillip Island
Sergeant Robyn Heal
Cowes Police Station
Telephone: 03 5952 2037If you would like to join the Phillip Island liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Port Phillip
Angela Dawson
Port Phillip Licensees Association
Email: info@pplamelbourne.comIf you would like to join the Port Phillip liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Port Fairy and Koroit
Port Fairy Police Station
Telephone: 03 5568 1007Port Fairy and Koroit liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 756.62 KBPortland
Portland Police Station
Telephone: 03 5522 1500
Email: PORTLAND-LIQUOR-OIC@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Portland liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Sale (Wellington)
Sergeant Damien Brown
Wellington Police Station
Telephone: 03 5143 5070
Email: Damien.brown@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Sale (Wellington) liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Seymour
Sergeant Kylie Bonavia
Seymour Police Station
Email: MITCHELL-LIQUOR-FORUM-MGR@police.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 03 5735 0200If you would like to join the Seymour liquor forum, email or phone a contact listed above.
Shepparton
A/Senior Sergeant Mark Phillips
Shepparton Police Station
Telephone: 03 5820 5777
Email: mark.phillips@police.vic.gov.auShepparton Liquor Accord 2023-27(opens in a new window)PDF 405.78 KBSouth Gippsland
Senior Sergeant Brad Steer
Wonthaggi Police Station
Telephone: 03 5671 4100
Email: brad.steer@police.vic.gov.auLauren Bowman
Leongatha Police Station
Telephone: 03 5662 2285
Email: lauren.bowman@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the South Gippsland liquor forum, email or phone a contact listed above.
Southern Mitchell
Acting Sergeant Joel Page
Wallan Police Station
Telephone: 03 5783 0400
Email: Joel.Page@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Southern Mitchell liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Southern Mitchell liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 635.03 KBSouthern Peninsula
Vicki Bacon or Karon Gibbons
Mornington Peninsula Shire
Telephone: 03 5950 1446
Email: business@mornpen.vic.gov.auSergeant Annette Reynolds
Rosebud Police Station
Telephone: 03 5986 0444
Email: Annette.reynolds@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Southern Peninsula liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Southern Peninsula liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 223.73 KBStawell
Senior Sergeant Terry Hill
Stawell Police Station
Telephone: 03 5358 8222If you would like to join the Stawell liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Stawell liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 684.48 KBStonnington
Jessica Dyer
Economic Development Unit
Stonnington Council
Telephone: 03 8290 1333
Email: liquoraccord@stonnington.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Stonnington liquor forum, contact the City of Stonnington.
Sunbury
Sergeant Justin Pollock
Sunbury Police
Telephone: 03 9744 8111
Email: justin.pollock@police.vic.gov.auSergeant Heath Merry
Sunbury Police
Telephone: 03 9744 8111
Email: heath.merry@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Sunbury liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Sunraysia (Mildura)
Inspector Simon Clemence
Mildura Police
Telephone: 03 5018 5422
Email: simon.clemence@police.vic.gov.auSergeant Scott Olsen
Mildura Police
Telephone: 03 5018 55300
Email: scott.olsen@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Sunraysia (Mildura) liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Sunraysia Liquor Accord - 2023-27(opens in a new window)PDF 1.05 MBSurf Coast
Sergeant Andrew Harris
Geelong Police
Telephone: 03 5225 3145
Email: andrew.harris@police.vic.gov.auSurf Coast liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 292 KBTraralgon
Sergeant Steve Owen
Traralgon Police Station
Telephone: 03 5174 0900
Email: steven.owen@police.vic.gov.auView the Latrobe City Liquor Accord
If you would like to join the Traralgon liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Wangaratta
Inspector Pauline Williams
Telephone: 03 5723 0827
Email: pauline.williams@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Wangaratta liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Wangaratta liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 338.14 KBWarragul (Baw Baw)
Inspector Peter Fusinato
Warragul Police Station
Email: peter.fusinato@police.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 03 5622 7111 or 0428 207 138If you would like to join the Warragul (Baw Baw) liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Warragul (Baw Baw) liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 209.49 KBWarrnambool
Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Merry
Warrnambool Police Station
Telephone: 03 5560 1333
Email: Craig.merry@police.vic.gov.auWarrnambool liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 882.67 KBIf you would like to join the Warrnambool liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Whittlesea (Mernda)
Acting Sergeant Luke McCreery
Mernda Police
Telephone: 03 9216 1200
Email: Luke.McCreery@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Whittlesea (Mernda) liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Whittlesea (Mernda) liquor accord(opens in a new window)PDF 583.83 KBWodonga
Inspector Joel Hughes
Wodonga Police Station
Telephone: 02 6049 2600
Email: WODONGA.UNI@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Wodonga liquor forum, phone the contact listed above.
Wodonga liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 210.5 KBWonthaggi (Bass Coast)
Sergeant Kade Murphy
Wonthaggi Police Station
Telephone: 03 5671 4100
Email: kade.murphy@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Wonthaggi (Bass Coast) liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Bass Coast Liquor Accord 2024(opens in a new window)PDF 1.24 MBWyndham
Sergeant James Ridsdale
Wyndham North Police Station
Telephone: 03 8734 1100
Email: james.ridsdale@police.vic.gov.auInspector Brooke Walker
Werribee Police Station
Telephone: 03 9216 7480
Email: brooke.walker@police.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Wyndham liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Wyndham liquor accord(opens in a new window)Word 105.12 KBYarra
Lauren Krnjacki
City of Yarra
Telephone: 03 9205 5555
Email: yarraliquor@yarracity.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Yarra liquor forum, email or phone the contact listed above.
Yarram
Karen Dale
Yarram Police
Telephone: 03 5182 5033If you would like to join the Yarram liquor forum, email or phone one of the contacts listed above.
Yarra Ranges
Yarra Ranges Council
Email: g.golds@yarraranges.vic.gov.auIf you would like to join the Yarra Ranges liquor forum, email the contact listed above.
Setting up a liquor forum
Forums are a local initiative and are usually set up by police, who then work together with council representatives and licensees.
Forums may be formalised with the establishment of a liquor accord; a written document that sets out specific aims, actions, objectives and strategies addressing local alcohol-related problems.
Participation in forums
Forum attendees may include:
- licensees from various venue types including sporting clubs, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and packaged liquor outlets
- Victoria Police members
- council representatives (planning departments play a role in liquor licensing and council representatives often act as chairpersons too).
- community, industry groups and organisations with an interest in alcohol issues.
The more venues represented at forums the better. It can be helpful to visit licensed venues to promote the benefits of attending forums.
Frequency of meetings
Most liquor forums meet 3 to 4 times a year for an hour. Setting meeting dates in advance can help licensees plan and can increase meeting attendance.
Location of meetings
Some liquor forums rotate the location so each forum member can chair the meeting.
Other forums hold their meetings at the police station or local council. The most common meeting times are 10am, 2pm or 3pm. Meetings held during busy meal service times don’t usually suit.
Some forums include local sporting clubs and opt to have an occasional meeting in the evening to allow for volunteers to attend. Ultimately, the timing is up to members.
Dedicated email address for the liquor forum
Email is a quick and easy way to communicate with members.
Having a generic forum email address for communication with members, allows the administration of the forum to continue if the usual contact person is on leave or away, for example blackhill_liquor_forum@police.vic.gov.au.
Running a liquor forum
Make meetings interesting
There are several ways to make the meeting interesting for the members such as:
- guest speakers – presenting on a topic suggested by the members. Speakers may not be required at every meeting but they help keep interest at meetings. A list of suggested guest speakers for liquor forums is below.
- case studies – a discussion of a recent incident and how it was managed encourages sharing of successful strategies and improvements. This can assist other licensees in the future.
- training opportunities – such as first aid, Responsible Service of Alcohol or handling difficult customers.
Agendas and minutes
Agendas prepare members for the meetings and promote guest speakers. It also helps the meeting stay on schedule.
Minutes are useful to record actions and to give an overview of what was discussed for members unable to attend. Minutes don’t have to be extensive; they just need to capture the main points of discussion and any action items.
Forum resources and materials
- Letter of invitation - establishing a liquor forum(opens in a new window)Word 26.5 KBLetter of invitation - joining executive committee or working group(opens in a new window)Word 30 KBLiquor accord certificate - template(opens in a new window)Word 24.16 KBLiquor accord document - template(opens in a new window)Word 67.66 KBLiquor accord incident report - template(opens in a new window)PDF 77.25 KBLiquor accord member register - template(opens in a new window)Excel 19.11 KBLiquor accord patron ban notification – letter(opens in a new window)Word 32 KBLiquor accord patron end of ban notification - letter(opens in a new window)Word 32 KBLiquor accord patron proposed ban notification - letter(opens in a new window)Word 31 KBLiquor accord promoting banned patron policy - poster(opens in a new window)Word 27.5 KBLiquor forum agenda - template(opens in a new window)Word 46.5 KBLiquor forum attendance register - template(opens in a new window)Word 44.5 KBLiquor forum membership application - form(opens in a new window)Word 24.68 KBLiquor forum minutes - template(opens in a new window)Word 51 KBMedia release - structure and tips(opens in a new window)Word 35.5 KB
These free flyers and stickers are available for liquor forum members.
They can be displayed in venue windows to let patrons and the community know that the venue is a member of the local liquor forum.
Please email us to request stickers.
Liquor forum flyer(opens in a new window)PDF 48.48 KBA guest speaker may not be required at every meeting. Alternatively, you can allocate time on the agenda to engage members and discuss:
- potential campaigns or promotions the forum could start – for example designated driver programs
- how the forum can get involved and play a role in community projects – it does not have to be alcohol related
- products that could benefit members and their businesses – for example, preferred suppliers, contractors.
Listening and encouraging open communication during meetings can help identify members’ needs. Identifying these gaps can assist in planning future guest speakers.
Below is a list of suggested topics for speakers. Sourcing assistance or input from local organisations, and offering online capability for presenters, may make it easier to schedule a speaker.
- Liquor licensing related topics: intoxication, drink spiking, minors, advertising and promotions, inspection ready, checking ID, crowd controllers/security, noise and amenity, dealing with difficult customers - Liquor Control Victoria (lcv.education@justice.vic.gov.au)
- Armed robbery and sexual assault prevention - Victoria Police specialised units
- Case study: share an incident or promote policies that reduce alcohol related harm - Encourage forum attendees to share. Invite a licensee, or police, from a neighbouring town/suburb to present
- Keeping licensed venues and customers safe - Local WorkSafe office/branch, Recorded WorkSafe webinars can also be played at meetings
- Emergency evacuation and fire safety - Local fire brigade
- Drug and alcohol support programs, how licensed venues can help promote them - Local state-funded alcohol and other drug treatment systems. View catchment-based intake services in Victoria
- Planning permits: what they allow you to do, how to obtain or amend - Local council planning department
- Major events in your area, impacts of the event and working together with licensed venues - A representative of the event organiser/committee.
Updated