Local community groups, sporting clubs and not-for-profit organisations are set to share in more than $290,000 through Manningham’s Annual Grant Program.

Grant applications open on Monday 3 February and eligible local groups can receive between $3,001 and $20,000 in funding.

Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante said the program helped fund local initiatives, projects and activities that made a positive impact in Manningham.

“These include a wide range of community-driven projects such as arts, festivals and events, wellbeing programs, as well as inclusive and multicultural activities,” Cr Diamante said.

“We want to support our outstanding local organisations who do a wonderful job in helping make Manningham a vibrant, connected and inclusive community for all.”

Grants are available in the following categories:

• Community Development
• Arts
• Festivals and Events
• Healthy Ageing.

The Manningham Toy Library was one of last year’s successful recipients. The library received a grant to support its free 40th Anniversary Messy Play Day.

Toy Library Coordinator Anlina Jones said the event will be a wonderful way to showcase the benefits of the group to the Manningham community.

“We love running messy play events, but it can be costly purchasing the equipment required, so this grant was such an amazing opportunity for us. We can really celebrate the 40 years of play at the toy library,” Anlina said.

Applications for Manningham’s Annual Grant Program are open until 5.00pm, Tuesday 11 March. 

To assist groups with their applications, Council will host the following information sessions:

• Grant Writing Workshop, Wednesday 12 February, 10.00am to 12.00pm, Manningham Function Centre.
• Healthy Ageing Grant Information Session, Thursday 13 February, 11.00am to 12.00pm, Manningham Function Centre.
• Online Q&A session, Wednesday 19 February, 4.30pm to 5.00pm.

The sessions are free, but registrations are essential. For details visit the Annual Grants Program page.

Looking for something to keep the kids busy and active these Easter school holidays? 

This autumn, we've got a range of fun activities to choose from including:

• Casual basketball shooting at DISC
• Casual basketball shooting at Mullum Mullum Stadium
• Ready Steady Go Multi Sports Program for young children
• Shuttle Smash Badminton
• Run 4 Fun Holiday program for children in Prep to Year 12
• Hockey school holiday program for ages 6 to 14 years
• Holiday youth pop-up for young people aged 12 to 17 years.

Full details of the program below.

Explore our range of fun-filled activities to keep kids and young people of all ages active and busy these spring school holidays.

Activities include squash, table tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, recreational running, footy skills and more.

As part of the Birrarung Riverfest, we're hosting free learn to paddle sessions on the Yarra River with Paddle Victoria.

There are free bike checks for young people aged 12 to 25, and our All Abilities All Stars Basketball event will be a full day of basketball, mini games, free shooting and fun. 

Casual basketball shooting sessions are also available at Mullum Mullum Stadium and DISC.

The Abilities Unleashed Kids event is a come-and-try experience connecting young people with disability to local sport and recreational activities.

Green thumbs can Learn how to make seed bombs for the garden at our free workshop.

All the family can enjoy Active Manningham's $25 Family Swim Day at Aquarena.

The very popular Whitehorse Manningham Libraries school holiday program is available to view from 8 September, with bookings opening 15 September.

Our full program is listed below. Places are limited, so be quick to reserve your spot.

School holidays are the perfect time for kids to explore sport and activities, build confidence and make new friends. 

This summer we're offering a range of activities to keep the kids happy and active.  

See upcoming events below.  

A new Active Manningham program is providing life-saving water safety skills to adults from our multicultural community who have little or no swimming experience.

Eighteen people recently graduated from the first round of the 10-week Safely Engaging with Water Program at Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Templestowe Lower.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante, attended the final session and celebration event, presenting certificates to the successful participants together with Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra, who helped develop the program with Aligned Leisure.

The program creates a safe, inclusive environment for adults from multicultural communities to learn about water safety and develop basic swimming skills. It aims to help participants overcome fear and anxiety associated with water while reducing the risk of drowning.

Cr Diamante congratulated the graduates for taking the important first step of learning to swim.  

“Water safety is such a valuable life skill. I’d like to thank Dr Kandra and Aligned Leisure for making this life-saving program available to our multicultural community,” Cr Diamante said.

The program offers subsidised male-only and female-only sessions with experienced instructors of the same gender during quieter off-peak times, providing a more comfortable learning environment for participants. 

“It’s been great value and I’ve learnt so much,” one participant said of their experience.

“The instructor is amazing and has been teaching us very well,” another participant said.

Round 2 of the program starts on Saturday 26 April. Visit Active Manningham for more information.
 

We proudly hosted our first Annual Grants Celebration on Wednesday 27 August – an evening dedicated to recognising and celebrating the remarkable organisations supported through the 2025 Annual Community Grants program. 

The event brought together community groups, volunteers, and local leaders to acknowledge the vital role of not-for-profit organisations in creating a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant Manningham. 

Our Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said it was an honour to celebrate with the 30 grant recipients and acknowledge the efforts of the many volunteers, organisers and community members behind each project.

“A big congratulations to all our grant recipients and the people who work quietly and tirelessly in the background to strengthen our community,” Cr Diamante said. 

“There’s something really powerful about bringing people together who share the same compassion for our community in Manningham.

“This celebration marks the beginning of a new tradition for Manningham - one that not only recognises the incredible work happening in our community, but also encourages connection, collaboration and continued growth,” Cr Diamante said.  

Each year, we're proud to provide grants that support local initiatives to enhance wellbeing, strengthen social connection, and promote active participation across Manningham. 

This year, we awarded $314,223 in funding through our Annual Grants program, which includes four key streams of Community Development, Arts, Festivals and Events, and Healthy Ageing. 

The 2025 program highlights the diverse and meaningful ways community-led initiatives are making a difference. Some of the projects funded this year include:

• Heide Museum of Modern Art’s Yaluk Langa Learning Programs, designed in collaboration with First Nations artists and educators to deepen cultural understanding among young people through art.
• Onemda Association’s sensory wellbeing spaces, which provide calm, inclusive environments tailored to individuals with sensory processing needs.
• The Rotary Club of Manningham City’s Walk for Youth Mental Health, an initiative that brings the community together to raise awareness, reduce stigma and support young people’s mental health.

These projects are among 30 grant recipients making an impact on the lives of Manningham residents. 

View the full list of grant recipients at our Community Grants page. 

Manningham Council proudly hosted its first Annual Grants Celebration on Wednesday 27 August – an evening dedicated to recognising and celebrating the remarkable organisations supported through the 2025 Annual Community Grants program. 

The event brought together community groups, volunteers, and local leaders to acknowledge the vital role of not-for-profit organisations in creating a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant Manningham. 

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said it was an honour to celebrate with the 30 grant recipients and acknowledge the efforts of the many volunteers, organisers and community members behind each project.

“A big congratulations to all our grant recipients and the people who work quietly and tirelessly in the background to strengthen our community,” Cr Diamante said. 

“There’s something really powerful about bringing people together who share the same compassion for our community in Manningham.

“This celebration marks the beginning of a new tradition for Manningham - one that not only recognises the incredible work happening in our community, but also encourages connection, collaboration and continued growth,” Cr Diamante said.  

Each year, Manningham Council is proud to provide grants that support local initiatives to enhance wellbeing, strengthen social connection, and promote active participation across Manningham. 

This year, Council awarded $314,223 in funding through its Annual Grants program, which includes four key streams of Community Development, Arts, Festivals and Events, and Healthy Ageing. 

The 2025 program highlights the diverse and meaningful ways community-led initiatives are making a difference. Some of the projects funded this year include:

• Heide Museum of Modern Art’s Yaluk Langa Learning Programs, designed in collaboration with First Nations artists and educators to deepen cultural understanding among young people through art.
• Onemda Association’s sensory wellbeing spaces, which provide calm, inclusive environments tailored to individuals with sensory processing needs.
• The Rotary Club of Manningham City’s Walk for Youth Mental Health, an initiative that brings the community together to raise awareness, reduce stigma and support young people’s mental health.

These projects are among 30 grant recipients making an impact on the lives of Manningham residents. 

View the full list of grant recipients at Council's Community Grants page.