Plotting a course to achieve a vision of safe, equal and respectful communities in the Grampians region was on the agenda at a well-attended leadership forum held in Ballarat on Tuesday.
About 200 representatives from member organisations of the Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE) Alliance, which is managed by Women's Health Grampians, joined together to hear from keynote speakers, including award-winning keynote speaker, writer and activist Tarang Chawla, and share learnings at the forum.
A key theme discussed at the forum was the importance of men leading the way in the prevention of gender-based violence.
The CoRE Alliance is a partnership of more than 130 organisations, businesses, clubs and groups working towards the reduction of gender-based violence in the Grampians region.
The leadership forum forms part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign calendar of events, which the City of Ballarat is delivering in partnership with other CoRE and CHIFVC member organisations.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, with this year's campaign encouraging all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the forum was a fantastic opportunity for cross-sector collaboration and shared learning.
"As leaders in the region, CoRE and CHIFVC members are working together with other levels of government and frontline services to chart a path towards our shared vision of a violence-free Grampians region," she said.
"From sporting clubs and community organisations, to local governments and service providers, it was great to see so many organisations represented in one room today, all working towards a common goal."
Women's Health Grampians CEO Marianne Hendron said there was real momentum in the community after a challenging year of gender-based violence, especially given the current focus on Ballarat with Respect Victoria's Saturation model project.
"Partnerships and collaboration are a vital part of the puzzle and key to the 16 Days events taking place across the city," she said.
"The Ballarat Leadership Forum, co-sponsored by the City of Ballarat, is a significant violence prevention event aiming to engage men in this important work."
