The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria[1] is an Australian charity that was formed by a group of concerned parents in May 1964 to provide support and information to all Victorians affected by epilepsy. Initially called the Victorian Bureau for Epilepsy, one of the first priorities was accommodation following the closure in 1963 of what was known as the Talbot Colony for Epileptics.
The organisation's name changed to the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria in 1978 and the next few years saw its continued rapid development including the appointment of a consultant medical officer and the establishment of a medical advisory panel.
Today, the Foundation continues to work towards the aims of enhancing the quality of life for people living with epilepsy, and improving community awareness and understanding.
A select group of eminent Victorians form the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria. Dame Beryl Beaurepaire AC OBE (Chair), The Hon. Ted Baillieu MLA, John Blackman, The Hon. Justice Bernard Bongiorno, Philip Brady, Julian Burnside QC, Prof. Edward Byrne, The Hon. John Cain, The Hom. Joan Child AO, Paul Cronin, Sean Cummins, The Hon. Justice Linda Dessau, Ivan Deveson AO, Melanie Eagle, David Galbally QC, Rhonda Galbally AO, Bev Genser, Petro Georgiou, Stera Gutnik, Prof. David Hayward, The Hon. Brian Howe, John Jost, Robert Kirby, Judy Maddigan, Neil Mitchell, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC CBE, Emeritus Prof. Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE, Janet Powell, Barbara Rozenes, Ross Smith AM, Richard Stanley QC, Michael Stillwell, Claude Ullin, Luisa Valmorbida.