Capsicum spray and foam was sprayed to subdue the brawlers who were pushing and kicking each other.

Twelve officers from Warrnambool, Camperdown and Port Campbell were called to assist two Terang officers who were outnumbered. Senior Constable Andrew McOrist of the Terang police said the brawl occurred after people attending a family function at the Terang Civic Hall went across to the Wheatsheaf Hotel where they started arguing.

"There was an incident at the hotel and then it rolled onto the footpath," he said.

"When we arrived there were about seven or eight involved in the incident and it grew to about 15. There was a fair bit of pushing and kicking until the capsicum calmed them down."

Senior Constable McOrist said police were called about 10.45pm and it took until midnight to get things back to normal.

"No arrests were made because no one wanted to press charges," he said.

"We had to close down the civic hall function. Fortunately there was no property damage," he said. Hotel operator Darren Cole said he called police after the argument started and had spilled out on the street.

"It was a disgrace," he said.

"We had 60th and 18th birthday celebrations going on at the time.

"The culprits came in from across at the hall. It wasn't our fault. I'm happy that police acted so professionally and quickly."