Educating our community
Gambling can be very damaging – to individuals, families and communities. At Meli, we work with communities, schools, venues and policymakers to reduce the risk of harm.
If you’re concerned about your gambling or about someone close to you, visit our Gambler’s Help page.
How can community education programs help?
Meli runs community education programs to:
- help people to understand the risks of gambling
- support people to take steps to reduce the impacts of their gambling
- link people with support services like counselling and financial counselling.
Frequently asked questions
No, there is no cost involved. All of our programs are free.
Yes. We can design a design professional development that suits your organisation’s needs, with practical resources and pathways to support services.
Yes, we can assist in developing a policy tailored to your needs.
Yes, Meli’s community engagement team can collaborate on projects associated in a variety of areas, including youth, low socio-economic and disadvantaged communities, and family violence. Reach out to us if you would like to chat further about an opportunity.
Secondary school education program
We work in secondary schools to provide education about gambling and gambling-related harm for:
- students in Years 10 to 12
- teaching and welfare staff
- parents and carers
Our school education programs also include staff professional development programs.
Frequently asked questions
There is no cost involved, our programs are free.
All presentations can be delivered face-to-face (COVID-19 restrictions permitting) or online via any platforms used by your organisation including Zoom, Skype and Teams.
Students, teaching and wellbeing staff will be more aware of the risks and harms associated with gambling. They’ll also learn how to find and access support services like telephone hotlines, online forums and counselling.
Venue support training
We work with gaming venue staff and management to develop and maintain responsible gambling environments. We provide two kinds of training:
- Venue support training: training and educating venue staff, tailored to suit your individual venue, including free staff professional development opportunities.
- Responsible Service of Gaming training: supporting gaming venues to meet and exceed the requirements of industry Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct.
Frequently asked questions
No, venue support training is a free service.
All presentations can be delivered face-to-face (COVID-19 restrictions permitting) or online via any platforms used by your organisation including Zoom, Skype and Teams.
Venue Support Program training (VSP) includes the following modules:
- Module 1 – Gambler’s Help Services Overview
- Module 2 – Observable Signs
- Module 3 – Responding to Signs of Distress
- Module 4 – Code of Conduct
- Module 5 – Responsible Gambling Documentation
- Module 6 – Self-Exclusion
- Module 7 – EGM Operations
- Module 8 – Drug Affected Patrons
- Module 9 – Your Play
- Module 10 – Gambling & Mental Health
- Module 11 – Self Care
- Module 12 – GRV Gambling & Workplace Harm Reduction
- Module 13 – Cash Please – Money Seeking
- Module 14 – Elder Abuse
These modules are in addition to modules included as part of the standard Responsible Service of Gaming certification.
How to access this service
For more information or to book into one of our Gambler’s Help programs for your community, school or venue:
- Phone us on (03) 5226 8900
- Email intake@meli.org.au
- Fill out our online forms