Lara Chamas and Hootan Heydari present a selection of recent work in our main gallery, titled Retrace Your Steps!

This exhibition brings together two remarkable artists, each with unique styles and practices. 

While each artist approaches their mediums in distinct ways, their work shares a profound connection through the exploration of themes such as home, familial memory and generational migrant experiences of leaving their home countries due to war and political upheaval.

Their works are both poetic and poignant, speaking to both personal stories and broader political histories.

Lara Chamas is a Lebanese artist, born and raised in Naarm (Melbourne). Her work comprises of sculptural objects and installations that reflect on family, memory, and domestic life.

Hootan Heydari is an Iranian-Australian artist, who predominantly works in sculpture and photography. His art captures connections between the past and present, distilling echoes of history into contemporary expressions. Heydari is represented by Futures Gallery.

This exhibition contains artwork that explores themes of war and violence, which may be difficult for some visitors. Please speak to our staff if you would like more information before attending. We thank you for your understanding.  

_{Photo credit: Lara Chamas, Pestle that He made, Jido (mama), for crushing garlic, Hummus; Chickpeas; Knife that He made, Jido (mama), for chopping parsley, tabouli; Corer that He made, Jido (mama), for hollowing zucchini coosa mahshe; and Mould that He made, Jido (mama), for filled biscuits, ma’amoul; 2021, cast bronze objects, variable sizes. Image courtesy of the Artist.} 

Want to reduce the amount of waste you produce, but don’t know where to start?

Join Nanna Anna to discover how small, simple changes in your everyday life can significantly reduce the amount of waste you produce.

Living a lower waste lifestyle is something that many Australians are keen to do, as it becomes increasingly obvious that our daily choices directly affect the environment. But when faced with the abundance of information available, it can be overwhelming to know where, and how, to begin.

This free face-to-face presentation is designed to help you explore ways to live a more low-waste lifestyle. It will cover practical examples of how to identify waste elements in your household; low-waste alternatives to everyday items and consumables; and different approaches to implementing low-waste strategies and habits in the future.

Registration is required and spots are limited.

By going all-electric, you can create a safer home and brighter Manningham.

Thinking about adding a battery to your home solar system? Want to know how to power your home during blackouts, reduce your bills, or even get paid to support the grid? 

Join expert presenter Glen Morris for an informative session on home energy storage systems. 

Topics covered:

• Understand the pros and cons of different battery types
• Get tips on choosing the right installer and product
• Battery safety and installation rules
• How your EV can power your home (V2H/V2G)
• Learn how to join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and earn credits
• Find out how to access battery rebates through the Federal Government’s new 'Cheaper Home Battery Program'.

About our presenter:

Glen Morris is a highly respected expert in off-grid and renewable energy systems, with more than 30 years' experience in the design and implementation of innovative energy solutions.

Glen has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s renewable energy standards and policies. For over a decade, he has served on the Australian Standards Committee for renewable energy systems.

Additionally, he held the position of Vice President of the Smart Energy Council for 6 years, contributing to advancing the renewable energy sector nationwide.

Living off-grid for the past 34 years, Glen embodies the principles of sustainable living, combining his technical knowledge with a deep commitment to renewable energy innovation.
 

Registration is essential. 

Electrify Your Life 

This event is part of our Electrify Your Life program, supporting residents to go all-electric at home and power up a brighter future for Manningham. Learn how to make the switch at Electrify Your Life. 

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Home Harvest Manningham is a monthly home gardening seminar series that will teach you how to grow your own delicious fresh food at home.

Karen Sutherland from Edible Eden Design will talk about the best way to maintain and prune your fruit trees during winter for long lasting thriving fruit trees. 

Food swap from 6.45pm, session starts at 7.00pm.

Registration is recommended but not required.

This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

By going all-electric, you can create a safer home and brighter Manningham.

That’s why Manningham Council has partnered with Solar Savers, a local government initiative that takes the hassle out of home energy upgrades. The Council-backed program has now expanded to offer more suppliers and product choices, as well as home energy assessments for personalised advice.

Do you have questions about making your home more comfortable and efficient? Keen to install solar, batteries or efficient electric appliances? Drop in to learn more.

You can also find out about available discounts and discover how Solar Savers can help.

Join us at your local library for a session between August and October 2025.

Registration is not required. Drop in any time during the 1-hour session.

Electrify Your Life

This event is part of our Electrify Your Life program, which supports residents to go all-electric at home, creating a brighter Manningham. Learn how to make the switch at Electrify Your Life.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

Come join Wurundjeri man Thane Garvey-Gannaway as he shares stories about cultural life along Birrarung (Yarra River) and how traditional owners cared for the landscape.

Thane will guide you through some of the area's local historical significance, highlighting the importance of connecting with Country together with a local knowledge of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung culture.

What to bring

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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

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Spirit Worlds and Dreamscapes explores for the first time Albert Tucker’s lifelong fascination with spiritual and esoteric ideas and how he integrated his belief in invisible forces into his art.

The exhibition has been made possible by the Albert and Barbara Tucker Foundation and is showing until 31 August 2025 in the Albert and Barbara Tucker Gallery.

Visit the Heide website for opening hours and information about how to plan your visit.

Image: Installation view, Albert Tucker: Spirit Worlds and Dreamscapes, 2025, photograph: Christian Capurro.

We are pleased to invite adults 55 years and over to join our free CPR for Seniors ‘Resuscitate a Mate’ Session.

This interactive and visual session will be delivered by an experienced Life Saving Victoria Educator, and participants will learn:

• emergency response
• CPR practice
• how to use a Defibrillator

Participants will use mannequins in a hands-on approach to learning. Although this course does not offer an accredited CPR or First Aid Qualification, it does provide extremely valuable lifesaving knowledge. 

Take advantage of this great session and learn how to save a life!

Join us for an engaging seminar where we'll delve into the fascinating world of fungi with expert Dr. Alison Pouliot. 

The earth’s rapidly changing climate and environmental issues have come into sharp focus through the demise of charismatic megafauna and the ‘biodiversity crisis’. But what about stinkhorns and slime moulds? How do fungi and their kin get our attention when they are not only overshadowed by more ‘popular’ organisms, but are rarely included in our ideas about ‘nature’ or ‘biodiversity’?

The good news is it seems we’re in something of a ‘fungal awakening’ and mushrooms are finally having their moment. Over the last 25 years Alison has divided her time between hemispheres, working both with fungi and their followers. She has been actively involved in fungal conservation and land restoration programs.

In this talk Alison will explore how fungi are perceived across hemispheres in conservation contexts and which fungal flagships best capture the public imagination. She will also share some stories from the writing of her recent book, Underground Lovers – Encounters with Fungi in which she interacted with fungi and their followers across a dozen countries.

There will be an opportunity at the end for participants to show their specimens or purchase books.

Booking essential: Limited to 50 people.

About the Presenter

Alison Pouliot, BA (Philosophy), BSc Hons (Zoology), PhD (Ecology/Mycology).

Alison is an ecologist, environmental photographer and author and has presented over 800 environmental seminars, forays and workshops in Australia and internationally.

Seminar field trip

Attending this event will enable you to attend the Seminar field trip: Meeting with mushrooms.

• Date: Thursday 30 May 2024
• Time: 9.00am to 11.30am

This exciting field trip introduces participants to the diversity, ecology and curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi, specific to fungi found in the region and its various habitat types.

Participants will learn some of the basic skills used to identify fungi in the field using multiple senses. The relationships between fungi and various plant species and different habitat types will be discussed. Every fungus has intriguing natural and cultural histories and stories, and these will be shared along the way.

Interested participants will be sent a registration link.

Join Elana from Cloth Nappy Workshops Melbourne who will take you through the different reusable menstrual products and how to decide which one suits your needs, budget and body.

She will discuss washable cloth pads, menstrual discs and cups, and absorbent period underwear, and how to use and wash them, so you can avoid spending money at the shops each month.

Does it feel that you have things to do, places to go, people to meet…. but something’s missing?

Does it seem that, in retirement, your life has lost a sense of meaning or that you’re just marking time? What if it doesn’t need to be like that?

We often hear the phrase 'a work in progress' and it's usually used in the context of younger people. But what if it's always true, no matter our age?

In this interactive session you’ll get the chance to explore that missing bit. To find out why you’ve never stopped being a work in progress and that you can reconnect with that sense of yourself.

Participants will need to have a pen and paper in order to fully participate.

Are you tired of skyrocketing energy bills and worried about sweltering in the summer heat? It's time to control the heat and create a cool comfort haven at home this summer.

Join this webinar to discover how to:

• Repel the urban heat island effect by harnessing nature's incredible cooling potential! Explore natural cooling methods like passive solar design, landscaping, and ventilation to keep your home cool.
• Examine your home's performance. We'll discuss the impact of air leaks, insulation needs and window treatments which can greatly enhance your home's performance through the heat.
• Learn about best practice 'Active Cooling' using fans and air conditioners. There are smart ways to keep you comfortable, reduce wear and tear, consume less electricity and deliver lower energy bills.
• Consider smart technologies and upgrading appliances for an even more energy efficient future.
• Find out about rebates and get answers to your specific cooling challenges and concerns.

Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious family home, this presentation offers solutions for every type of living space.

Join us for this essential presentation and take the first step toward creating a cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient home.

This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work. 

Registration is essential. 

Learn to paddle and be safe on the water with the Paddle Power program!

All equipment will be provided.

These sessions are for primary school children aged seven to 14 years.  All genders are welcome, no prior paddle experience is needed.

This activity will be delivered by Paddle Victoria qualified coaches and guides. All guides and coaches have a Working with Children Check and a First Aid Certificate.

These sessions are being delivered in partnership with Manningham Council and Paddle Victoria as part of the Birrarung Riverfest 2025. Celebrate our river at one of 60+ events hosted over three weeks from 6–28 September. Whether you enjoy riverside walks, cleanups, creative workshops or paddling adventures, there's something for everyone at Riverfest. Riverfest is presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and our partners Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo collaboration and Melbourne Water. Check out the full program of events here.

Work on the basics of composition, colour and tone to find your own style with tutor, Clare Mannion.

Suitable for beginner through to advanced artists. 

BYO materials (brushes, paint, canvas, paper etc.)