Congratulations to the winners of the Manningham Community Awards, which were announced on 16 September 2025.

The awards program celebrated individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in making Manningham a better place to live, work and visit over the past 12 months.

The awards recognise achievements in 8 categories, with one of these category winners named Manningham Citizen of the Year.

More than 70 nominations were received for the 2025 awards, highlighting many outstanding achievements across the community. Thank you to everyone who helped shine a light on those who go above and beyond.

Nominations for the 2026 Manningham Community Awards will open in March. We look forward to learning about more of the incredible people and groups who contribute to the Manningham community.

Citizen of the Year

Selected by the judging panel from the eligible category award winners for their outstanding contribution to the Manningham community in the past 12 months. 

Leon Moore
 

Doreen Stoves Excellence in Volunteering  

Recognising an individual who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to volunteerism.

Winner: Leon Moore

Leon established the Laughing All Abilities Really Friendly Singers (LAARFS). The choir, which meets weekly, has more than 70 members, who live with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer and dementia.

Finalists:

• Brenda Humphreys

• Sandrajane Vincent-Corry

Active Community

Recognising an individual or group who has contributed to community participation in active lifestyles, sports or physical activity. 

Winner: Bulleen Tennis Club

Under the committee’s leadership, the club’s facilities have been transformed with upgrades including court resurfacing and new lighting. Membership has grown by more than 70% with expanded junior and senior competitions, veterans’ tennis and social play. 

Finalists:

• Ruffey Runners

• Tony Gibson

Ageing Well

Recognising an individual or group who has contributed to enhancing the lives of older residents, fostering social connection, safety or active ageing.

Winner: Chinese Senior Citizens Club of Manningham Inc.

With more than 1000 members and 200 volunteers, the club is one of the largest in Manningham. It has delivered more than 60 free weekly classes, as well as educational talks, performances and major cultural celebrations over the past year.

Finalists:

• Richard Davis

• Scones Together

Artistic Achievement 

Recognising an individual or group who has contributed to Manningham’s creative community, sparking artistic, cultural or creative expression.

Winner: Warrandyte Arts Association

The association has supported more than 170 members across several groups including life drawing, pottery, writing and theatre. 

Finalists: 

• Jazz in the Park

• Now and Not Yet Gallery

Community Excellence

Recognising a community organisation or group that has delivered outstanding programs or initiatives contributing to the wellbeing, development and cohesion of the Manningham community.

Winner: Warrandyte Pink Ladies

The group has been passionate in their efforts to raise funds, awareness and support for those affected by breast cancer.

Finalists: 

• Ajani Neighbourhood House

• United Muslim Migrants Association of Victoria

Community Health and Wellbeing 

Recognising an individual or group who has enhanced health, wellbeing or resilience in the community, whether through advocacy, program development or direct service delivery.

Winner: Men’s Shed at the Veneto Club

The group has created a welcoming and supportive space for men of all ages and backgrounds to connect, share, support one another, and improve men’s mental health. 

Finalists:

• CareNet

• Kathy Monley

Inclusive Community

Recognising an individual or group who has actively contributed to community accessibility, inclusivity or diversity.

Winner: Kevin Heinze Grow

The organisation’s inclusive, nature-based programs support people of all abilities. These include Café Kevin, which provides hospitality training and the Grow Program that offers experience in gardening, cooking and sustainability.

Finalists:

• Catalyst Training and Disability Services

• Zakir Fakhri

Young Achiever

Recognising a young person aged under 25, who has made a positive impact within the Manningham community through demonstrated leadership, innovation, or commitment to helping others.

Winner: Niosha Khademideljou

A former Manningham Youth Advisory Committee member, Niosha is now a crisis supporter with Lifeline Naarm and has helped provide children’s spiritual education classes and inclusive school holiday festivals.

Finalists:

• David Edgecombe

• Sina Emadi

How are the awards judged?

Nominations were assessed against a set criteria and reviewed by the judging panel. This year’s panel included the Manningham Mayor, Director Connected Communities, the previous Citizen of Year recipient (in 2025 this will be the previous Manningham Civic Awards Citizen of the Year) and 2 members of Council’s advisory committees.

2026 Nominations

Nominations for the 2026 Manningham Community Awards will open in March.

We look forward to learning about more of the incredible people and groups who contribute to the Manningham community.

Visit our local shopping centres or markets for a little bit of retail therapy and to explore our local arts, crafts, fashion and food.

We are actively working towards a Dementia-Friendly Community.

In a Dementia-Friendly Community, people committed to making change come together. They create a more inclusive, supportive and welcoming place where everyone can thrive. 

People living with dementia are at the heart of all dementia-friendly communities, sharing their experiences to help create an inclusive community for all. You can be an individual, a group, a business or organisation, anyone can make a difference. 

Each Dementia-Friendly Community is unique, they may include social, sporting, recreational, faith-based or community groups. However, what they all share is that they engage with people living with dementia to understand their needs to create inclusive and supportive environments. 

Finding support for someone recently diagnosed with dementia

After a dementia diagnosis, it’s easy for you or your loved ones to feel overwhelmed. Support is available to help maintain a person’s independence and help them live well.

Dementia Australia can help individuals, couples and families by helping you:

• learn how to live well at home
• understand more about dementia
• access local support services.

Free and confidential, the National Dementia Helpline provides expert information, advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They can:

• provide emotional support and guidance
• connect you to Dementia Australia and community support services and programs
• discuss government support, including My Aged Care, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Carer Gateway and Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS).

Call 1800 100 500 to speak with the National Dementia Helpline.
 

Helpful resources

Dementia Australia language guidelines

Misusing words with negative connotations when discussing dementia can have negative impacts. It can also lead to stigma or discrimination. To ensure that the words we’re using are sensitive to those affected by dementia, Dementia Australia’s language guidelines is a great resource.

Dementia Australia – quick links

You can visit Dementia Australia’s Quicklinks to find information relating to dementia, support, information and services provided by Dementia Australia.

Manningham Dementia Information Booklet

The revised Dementia Information Booklet was created in partnership with community members with lived dementia experience. Download a copy below or pick up a hard copy from various locations throughout Manningham, including libraries, medical centres, neighbourhood houses and the Manningham Civic Centre. 

Become a Dementia Friend

Proudly, the entire Healthy Ageing Team at Manningham are Dementia Friends. Being a Dementia Friend means we are interested in learning how to support our community to become more friendly and inclusive of people living with dementia. 

You can become a Dementia Friend and make a positive difference to people living with dementia. Register today and help increase awareness and support for people living with dementia.

Find information, services, and support for young people.

The State Government has now commenced works for the North East Link Program (NELP).

The project will include construction of the North East Link Tunnels, which will connect the Metropolitan ring road (M80) and Eastern Freeway (M3), as well as:

• the completion of the Ring Road in Greensborough 
• an overhaul the Eastern Freeway
• Melbourne’s first dedicated busway
• the North East Trail – more than 34km of walking and cycling paths.

North East Link is split into five construction packages, with the following three located in Manningham:

• Central/tunnels
• South
• East

Manningham Council is continuing to work diligently alongside North East Link Program and State Government on all aspects of the project. We are committed to representing community interests with the aim of mitigating impacts, as far practicable, to the community.

Environment

Tree planting

NELP will plant two replacement trees for every tree removed during construction of the project.

A key objective for Council is to ensure that the loss of tree canopy and vegetation is minimised and mitigated. We're working closely with NELP to identify appropriate locations for early tree planting to occur to allow the new canopy to establish. Some early planting has already occurred across various locations in Manningham, including Katrina Reserve (Doncaster) and Finns Reserve (Lower Templestowe).

Council has planted more than 500 trees since 2022 within various reserves in Manningham on behalf of NELP. We will continue to support the early planting program.

Find out more.

River Red Gum, Bulleen

The historic 300 year old River Red Gum on Bridge Street in Bulleen is in close proximity to major North East Link works and must be protected. This tree is a local landmark, pre-dates European settlement and is an important example of our environmental heritage.

We will continue to regularly attend when works are being undertaken near the tree to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are undertaken.

Air quality and noise

We are continuing to advocate to NELP and other State authorities to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to mitigate the air quality impacts of the project on the health and wellbeing of the local community.

We are also working closely with NELP to ensure that noise associated with construction is mitigated as far as practicable. Any noise emitting works that may exceed noise levels are also planned to occur either during the day or early in the night, as far as practicable.

Affected residents are also notified prior to the works that noise may occur during a time period with a direct NELP contact provided to them to call where concerns are raised.

Setting up a new business is an exciting and challenging time with many things to consider such as budgets, staffing, branding, operations and marketing.  It's important to think about the big picture and how you would like to grow into the future.

Below you'll find a range of resources, tools and information available to support all types of local businesses.

We love supporting vibrant diverse and events that benefits the community.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re considering hosting:

• festivals
• community events
• weddings
• corporate functions
• photography shoots
• commercial filming
• family days.

Holding a successful event requires careful and considerate planning. We work with event organisers to ensure events are safe and cause minimal disruptions. If you’re organising a public or private event in an outdoor public space, you may need our approval to do so.