Cr Deirdre Diamante has lived in Manningham for more than 40 years and recognises the importance of sustainable economic and environmental decision making that enhances the long term liveability of Manningham.

Cr Diamante believes in growing opportunities for local businesses and efficient spending of our rates on services and infrastructure that better connects the local community, suburbs and streets. She is an advocate for equal opportunity and diversity, for programs that support our elderly residents and for greater state and federal government funding support for Manningham’s charities.

Cr Diamante has three school-aged children, is a business owner, a school council representative, Board Director of the Manningham Bendigo Bank Community Branch.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Deirdre Diamante is appointed to.

The Local Government Act 2020 and the Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020, regulates conduct of council elections. The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) manages the process.

If you’ve got any questions about the electoral process, you can contact the Public Enquiry Service (PES) number on 131 832.
 

Manningham ward structure

Manningham has nine wards with one councillor representing each ward. The wards are:

• Bolin
• Currawong
• Manna
• Ruffey
• Schramm
• Tullamore
• Waldau
• Westerfolds
• Yarra.

For further information, visit Find your local councillor and ward.
 

Election period policy

The Local Government Act 2020 requires us to adopt an Election Period Policy. This provides guidance to councillors and officers leading up to and during the election period. 

For more information, you can view our policy.

Learn more about:

• the role of a councillor
• become a local council candidate
• political and election signs
• voting in an election
• candidate election campaign donation returns

Cr Geoff Gough is passionate about Manningham, having grown up and then raised his own family in the area. He is one of Manningham’s longest serving councillors, having been a councillor continuously since 1997, and has served as Mayor for four terms.

Cr Gough sees the improvement of our footpaths, roads, streetscapes and parks as a priority and is committed to ensuring Manningham’s community infrastructure is well maintained.

He believes in prioritising community support, including local business support, transparency in decisions, sound financial management and accountability to our community. Cr Gough advocates that council needs to listen, consult and act with responsibility and integrity.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Geoff Gough is appointed to.

Cr Isabella Eltaha is a long-term Manningham local, dedicated to driving benefits to the community.

Cr Eltaha is passionate about optimising Manningham Council’s financial outcomes for residents, small businesses and local groups. Having worked in corporate finance and strategy for over a decade, she wants to help optimise solutions to benefit the community broadly. 

She is also a community advocate, prioritises improving essential infrastructure, wants to improve public transportation and sees the importance of protecting our precious park life and green spaces. Cr Eltaha believes it is important that council offers essential services efficiently and sees value in supporting small local businesses — all to ensure we enhance and love living local.

Raising a family in the area, Cr Eltaha’s whole world revolves around our great community. She is passionate about making community members feel welcome to reach out to her and to ensure Manningham further becomes a place we are blessed to call home, now and into the future. 

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Isabella Eltaha is appointed to.

Cr Laura Mayne has lived in Manningham all her life is an active member of the community. She has been a councillor since 2020 and served as Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.

Cr Mayne is passionate about making Manningham as inclusive as possible. She endeavours to promote community connection and foster an environment where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging. Cr Mayne values our natural environment and encourages strong climate action and improved parks and open spaces. In addition, she advocates for sustainable transport, quality community infrastructure, and support for our community clubs, organisations, and small businesses.

Cr Mayne is about to complete a Bachelor of Law and Commerce at university and works for a national law firm. She has played multiple sports in the local area and currently plays high level Australian football.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Laura Mayne is appointed to.

Cr Grivas has lived in Manningham for over 25 years, together with his partner and three kids.

As a previous Councillor in the 2012/16 Council term, Cr Grivas previously served as Mayor in 2013/14.

Cr Grivas has a background in finance through both the corporate and government sectors, and is also a director of his local family businesses.

Cr Grivas is passionate about good governance, with integrity and transparency to allow the Council to provide support services for all our diverse families and older residents, our local businesses, sports clubs and volunteer organisations. He advocates for improved local traffic management, footpaths, roads and streetscapes as well as park maintenance.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Jim Grivas is appointed to.

Cr Chen has lived in the Waldau Ward for more than 20 years and has been a Manningham Councillor since 2016.

Cr Chen values equity, inclusion and positivity as well as the importance of understanding local issues, listening and working together with our community. She stands for cost-effective operations, sustainable planning outcomes, common sense climate solutions and improving bus services in Manningham. Cr Chen wants to see more civic participation and employment opportunities for our young residents. Cr Chen also wants to see our parks and open spaces are protected and improved. Cr Chen believes in an inclusive, safe and sustainable community for all.

A practising lawyer, Cr Chen is a volunteer solicitor at the Eastern Community Legal Centre and is also volunteering with Manningham Neighbourhood Watch.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Anna Chen is appointed to.

Cr Peter Bain has been a resident of Donvale and surrounds with his young family since 2002.

Peter has spent over twenty years in executive and governance roles spanning the corporate and not for profit sectors.  He has worked in various fields including health, education, international aid, aged care, disability, and housing.  He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University.  He has been actively involved in a number of community groups and endeavours.

He is passionate about helping those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable within the community.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Peter Bain is appointed to.

Cr Carli Lange is a long-term Warrandyte resident and has been a councillor of Manningham since 2020, serving as Mayor in 2023/24.

Cr Lange is passionate about Manningham’s Green Wedge, protecting local parklands and sporting facilities, including cycling, and walking connections. She supports the maintenance of community infrastructure, social connection programs, community organisations and health and wellbeing services for families, young adults, and older residents. She is an advocate for emergency management, community safety, environmental security, financial efficiencies and reducing traffic congestion as well as sustainable and responsible development.

Cr Lange believes in being authentic, proactive, and transparent advocacy in representing the community’s needs and concerns. With her teaching and not-for-profit board background, Cr Lange is passionate and committed in bringing people together for a common goal.

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Carli Lange is appointed to.

Cr Conlon has lived in Currawong Ward with his wife and family of eight children for over 20 years.

A Manningham Councillor since 2016, Cr Conlon previously served as Mayor during 2020/21 and 2017/18.

Cr Conlon is passionate about improving local amenity including parks, playgrounds and streetscapes. He advocates for high standards of roads and Council services.  Cr Conlon believes good governance starts with integrity and transparency.

Cr Conlon is a professional engineer and teacher with many years of broad business management experience along with community service on various local school and sports clubs committees. 

Committees and working groups

Find out which committees Cr Andrew Conlon is appointed to.