Want to make the most of your Sunday?

We could all do with less alcohol in our lives. So every Sunday during August Aquarena are offering free access to the centre to push back against boozy weekends and start your week right!

From 8:00am and 10:00am participants get access to:

• gym
• pool, spa and steam room
• group fit classes (subject to availability on the day).

This offer is for all genders and abilities aged 18 years plus.

Bring your friends and family along to have fun and feed good. Together, let’s take Sundays back!

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

Want to be able to garden without spending a fortune? Maria Ciavarella from My Green Garden will show you how to utilise things you already have to garden and save money.

During this seminar you will discover innovative ways to create a sustainable garden without breaking the bank. Maria will share tips and tricks to help you save money while still achieving a beautiful and eco-friendly garden.

This session will cover how to:

• repurpose everyday items
• recycle organic waste
• make the most of your garden space.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to embrace sustainable practices and save money in the process.

As a special treat, all attendees will participate in a tomato seeding activity with a heritage or heirloom seed variety from the Bulleen Art and Garden range.

The community food, seed and garden swap takes place at 6.45pm, 15 minutes before each session.

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.

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Explore a range of mindfulness and meditation techniques at Doncare's Mind Calm series. 

Mind Calm will be facilitated by group therapists and is suitable for those who are new to meditation and people who wish to explore or extend their current practice.

Over four sessions, participants will learn:

• what mind stilling methods work for you
• experience mindfulness
• learn breathing techniques
• practice different types of meditation.

Getting there

Located on Doncaster Road between Westfield and the Manningham Council Civic Centre, MC2 is conveniently accessible by public transport.

There are ample parking spaces on site including 4-hour parking underneath the building.  Access to level 1 via the lift or via stairs in the front foyer.

Designed to provide a calm and relaxing environment, during Sensory Quiet Time, we will:

• Keep the lights dimmed to reduce visual stimuli.
• Turn off the spa jets to minimise noise and vibration.
• Refrain from making PA announcements unless there is an emergency.
• Encourage all patrons to keep noise to a minimum.

Sensory quiet time starts Sunday 13 July 2025 and will be running every Sunday between 3.00pm to 4.00pm transforming our indoor pool into a sensory-friendly space

Patrons need to pay entry to the centre. Adult and concession prices available. See the Active Manningham website for more information.

As part of the Inspired Living Series, Hannah Maloney and Adam Grubb will discuss permaculture and waterwise gardens at the Manningham Function Centre.

Hannah Moloney

Hannah Moloney is best known for her work in permaculture and as a presenter on ABC’s Gardening Australia. Her first book The Good Life: How To Grow A Better World explores ways to counter the climate emergency individually and collectively. Hannah will discuss founding Good Life Permaculture in Tasmania, Home Harvest an annual edible garden tour and why she is known as the 'compost queen'.

Adam Grubb

Adam Grubb runs Very Edible Gardens, who have been designing and creating edible home and community gardens in Melbourne for the last 15 years. He's also co-authored several books, including The Art of Frugal Hedonism and The Weed Forager's Handbook. He got into edible gardening (and co-founded the Permablitz movement of volunteer backyard makeovers) in the mid 2000's in the heart of the millenium drought. Adam will take some lessons learnt then and since to share ways that we can create lush and productive oases with a minimum of water use including wicking beds, passive water capture with micro earthworks, tanks, greywater and more. 
 

Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events

The Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings at the iconic Manningham Function Centre.

The series will introduce you to a diverse line-up of local and international keynote speakers offering unique insights on how we can all shift to a greener future.

Topics range from permaculture to sustainable fashion. Each speaker will inspire and motivate simple, positive lifestyle choices, connection to nature and growing a thriving community in the midst dynamic change.

Come and learn to play bridge. All coaching and cards supplied for those who need it.

Make new friends and challenge your brain!

This is a fun, structured session led by a long-time bridge player.
 

Enjoy reduced family entry prices on Thursdays during the school holidays.

Valid all day at Aquarena!

In this stunning new exhibition by artist Katrin Koenning, she intimately explores connection and belonging through a deeply personal and immersive constellation of images drawn from the artist’s archive across time and space.

Artist Biography 
b. 1978. Dortmund, Germany. Lives and works in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.

Pursuing intimacy and interconnection, Koenning's work centers practice as relational encounter, exploring themes such as community, kinship, grief and love. In extended image-dialogues, Katrin uses fragments and slippages to suggest narrative spaces and communities that are allied, fluid and multiplicit. Many of her series render non-human human entanglement.

Her work is regularly exhibited in Australia and internationally including in presentations at the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra; Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne; Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney; the Museum of Australian Photography, Melbourne; Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai; Chobi Mela, Bangladesh; and Paris Photo. Her work is held in numerous institutional and private collections and has been published in The New Yorker, Vogue.com, Zeit Magazine, The Guardian, Esquire Italy, Der Spiegel, Yucca Magazine, California Sunday and many other places.

Katrin Koenning, yanakie (one), 2021, archival pigment print, 40cm x 30cm, Ed. 1/6 +2AP. Image courtesy of the Artist. 

Meeting Date: 12 September 2023
Meeting Time: 6.00pm 
Location: Council Chamber, Civic Centre 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.         

Council meeting livestream

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.)

A fun and energising dance workout tailored for older adults. No dance experience needed — just a smile and a willingness to move! 

This low-impact class helps improve balance, strength, and flexibility in a safe, supportive environment.

 

Parking available onsite
Bus route 905
Thompsons Rd/Sunhill Rd stop

Meeting Date: 23 September 2025
Meeting Time: 7.00pm 
Location: Council Chamber, Civic Centre 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.         

Council meeting livestream

This session is delivered by Services Australia and provides valuable insights into becoming more financially literate to help with managing debt, reducing time spent worrying about finances, planning for retirement, building up buffers for emergencies, identifying fraud and managing superannuation.



 

Parking available onsite
Bus route 905
Thompsons Rd/Sunhill Rd stop

Pines Learning invites women 16 plus, who are new to their centre, to attend a 'free come and try' session for one of their many, varied health, fitness or wellbeing exercise classes. 

Select from Tai Chi, Barre class, chair yoga, dance classes and much much more!

To register, go to Pines Learning to view what classes are on offer in November, then call 9842 6726 to organise your free class.

Places are limited and bookings are essential.

What to wear: comfortable clothing appropriate for exercise and correct footwear for each of the classes.

What to bring: a towel and water bottle are optional.

Please note: current Pines Learning members are not eligible for a free session.

#ManninghamGirlsCan

Meeting Date: 9 December 2025
Meeting Time: 7.00pm 
Location: Council Chamber, Civic Centre 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.         

Council meeting livestream

This livestream will be available at the time of the event.

Keep social, fit and happy! 

Join the Seniors Happy Life Club Inc for a fun session of line dancing and board games every Wednesday. 

Free entry for members. Membership fee is $30 per year.

Vision board is a creative group facilitated by skilled art therapists and counsellors.

Connect and create with others in a fun, supportive environment.

Topics include:

• inspirational goals
• personal values
• wellbeing
• future possibilities.

All materials will be provided.