The 'Leading Change' breakfast is targeting workplace and community leaders from across the region to hear from influential speakers including Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, North Melbourne Assistant Coach Darren Crocker and Victorian Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge.

The breakfast is co-ordinated by Women's Health Grampians with the support of local partners Ararat Rural City Council, Ararat Regional Business Association and Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership.

"In order to change our culture, we need to examine our own professional and personal responsibilities. Are our workplaces equitable? Increasingly so, but the short answer is no," Mr Lay said.

This forum will motivate and educate the local community about challenging sexism, discrimination and violence against women within their workplace and wider community.

The community in Ararat and surrounds continue to record high numbers of family violence incidences with recent data reporting they have jumped from the 10th position to the 6th in the state.

"Women's Health Grampians and our partners are organising this event in the hope that by hearing from such high profile speakers the community will have a greater understanding of how they can play a role in reducing this figure," Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Women's Health Grampians, said.

Information will be available on how community members can encourage others to focus on what they can do as active bystanders to change attitudes that support violence and gender inequality and how to be the circuit breaker.

If you would like to know more about the Leading Change breakfast being held in Ararat on Thursday July 31 please contact Women's Health Grampians on 5322 4100.