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Manningham is celebrating a new chapter in its history with the official opening of the new Schramms Cottage Museum and Visitor Centre in Doncaster East.

The $3.5 million facility and precinct upgrade officially opened on Friday 17 October, and will help the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society preserve the history of Manningham for generations to come.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said she was pleased to open the new centre, with Schramms Cottage an integral part of Manningham’s more recent pioneer story.

“Local history is important because it helps us understand who we are as a community. It tells the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped us, where we live and our way of life," Cr Diamante said.

“Thank you to the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society, whose passion and dedication helps keep these vital stories of our community alive.”

The new building complements the historic Schramms Cottage and provides extra exhibition and storage space for the society to display and preserve their collection.

The spaces are climate controlled, ensuring that historical objects, particularly dresses and fabrics, will be preserved for longer.

The development also includes upgraded car parking, pathways and a new meeting room, which will be available for the general community to hire from late 2026.

“I’m excited that community will be able to access this space for meetings and events, creating new opportunities for the community to view and appreciate our heritage,” Cr Diamante added.

Schramms Cottage was first built in 1874 on Doncaster Hill, near the present Manningham Civic Centre, for German immigrant Max von Schramm for use as a house and school. 

In 1971, it was moved to its current location in Rieschiecks Reserve and now provides a picture of what life was like in the pioneering days of the late 1800s.

Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society President Geoffrey Broome said the society was delighted to see completion of the new facility, a culmination of many years of collaboration with Manningham Council.

“The museum is a community asset and helps to preserve the heritage of the Manningham municipality. Going back to the mid-1800s, this area was full of orchards and one of the main fruit growing districts of Victoria,” Mr Broome said.

“We have a wide range of items on display such as clothing from the early settlers including wedding gowns, household goods, furniture.”

The new visitor centre will be open to the public from Sunday 2 November. 

The existing historic complex, including Schramms Cottage, is open every Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm and is available mid-week for local school excursions. 

More information is available at the websites of Manningham Council and the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society.  

Manningham is celebrating a new chapter in its history with the official opening of the new Schramms Cottage Museum and Visitor Centre in Doncaster East.

The $3.5 million facility and precinct upgrade officially opened on Friday 17 October, and will help the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society preserve the history of Manningham for generations to come.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said she was pleased to open the new centre, with Schramms Cottage an integral part of Manningham’s more recent pioneer story.

“Local history is important because it helps us understand who we are as a community. It tells the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped us, where we live and our way of life," Cr Diamante said.

“Thank you to the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society, whose passion and dedication helps keep these vital stories of our community alive.”

The new building complements the historic Schramms Cottage and provides extra exhibition and storage space for the society to display and preserve their collection.

The spaces are climate controlled, ensuring that historical objects, particularly dresses and fabrics, will be preserved for longer.

The development also includes upgraded car parking, pathways and a new meeting room, which will be available for the general community to hire from late 2026.

“I’m excited that community will be able to access this space for meetings and events, creating new opportunities for the community to view and appreciate our heritage,” Cr Diamante added.

Schramms Cottage was first built in 1874 on Doncaster Hill, near the present Manningham Civic Centre, for German immigrant Max von Schramm for use as a house and school. 

In 1971, it was moved to its current location in Rieschiecks Reserve and now provides a picture of what life was like in the pioneering days of the late 1800s.

Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society President Geoffrey Broome said the society was delighted to see completion of the new facility, a culmination of many years of collaboration with Manningham Council.

“The museum is a community asset and helps to preserve the heritage of the Manningham municipality. Going back to the mid-1800s, this area was full of orchards and one of the main fruit growing districts of Victoria,” Mr Broome said.

“We have a wide range of items on display such as clothing from the early settlers including wedding gowns, household goods, furniture.”

The new visitor centre will be open to the public from Sunday 2 November. 

The existing historic complex, including Schramms Cottage, is open every Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm and is available mid-week for local school excursions. 

More information is available at the websites of Manningham Council and the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society.  

We have signed the contract to purchase 576-578 Park Road, Park Orchards as part of its planning for a new Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre.

A priority action in our Community Infrastructure Plan, discussions and advocacy have already commenced for the replacement of this popular neighbourhood house and it is hoped that this significant investment will be the catalyst for investment from other levels of government.

Our Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, said the existing community house needs replacing to bring programs and services together.

"The Community House is widely used and offers a variety of programs and services in learning, fitness and art for all ages, and includes a well-loved childcare facility.

“The current building is coming to the end of its useful life, has limited accessibility and is too small to cater to all programs. These limitations have resulted in programs moving to different locations and spread across multiple local venues.

“By bringing these programs together into one building with better access and more space, we can improve efficiency and better support the community’s growing needs.”

The location of the new property, adjacent to the existing Community House at 572 Park Road, will allow for more space for the variety of programs on offer.

“Located in the heart of Park Orchards, as part of a community and education precinct and near public bus transport, the site will maintain convenient access to childcare, schools, recreational areas, and shops.” Cr Diamante added.

The purchase of 576-578 Park Road is part of our long-term planning to replace this important neighbourhood house for Park Orchards.

Neighbourhood houses are predominantly funded by government grants and additional state and commonwealth government funding will be needed to deliver this new community facility.

“We have purchased this property as part of our long-term plan for the community house and local area. We’re pleased to be able to secure a site for a new centre in Park Orchards and will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding to deliver it.”

The purchase was funded by our Strategic Fund which is part of our 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34.

For more information, visit Your Say Manningham.

We've received more than $450,000 in Victorian Government funding to support three major recreation and leisure projects, including the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre outdoor redevelopment.

Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante met with North-Eastern Metropolitan MP Sonja Terpstra, and the new Federal Member for Menzies, Gabriel Ng, MP, at Aquarena this week for the funding announcement. The three projects that have received support through the 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, are:

• Aquarena outdoor redevelopment: $250,000
• Domeney Reserve sports field LED floodlight upgrade: $162,937
• Manningham Recreation Strategy: $40,000.

“We’re grateful to receive this critical financial support through Sonja Terpstra and the Victorian Government’s 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund,” Cr Diamante said.

“This funding will go toward important projects that benefit the health, wellbeing and safety of our community in Manningham.

“Aquarena has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From learn to swim lessons in the old outdoor 25m pool, to hot summer days climbing those endless stairs to the car park. Aquarena is part of the fabric of Manningham.”

Sonja Terpstra said, “The Allan Labor Government is delivering on its promise to upgrade Aquarena at Doncaster. As a seasoned swimmer myself, I couldn't be more excited about what this means for locals in Doncaster and surrounding suburbs who love to swim.

“We're also investing $162,937 for LED lighting at Domeney Reserve in Park Orchards and $40,000 towards Manningham Council's recreation strategy. These investments ensure our community sporting facilities are modernised and accessible, which means more people can enjoy playing local sport right on their doorstep.”

The redevelopment of the outdoor precinct at Aquarena will see a new 50m outdoor pool, family zone with interactive water play, splash pad and toddler pool, spectator seating, change rooms, a new café and more.

At Domeney Reserve, the sports field floodlighting will be upgraded to a minimum of 100LUX to meet the needs for evening AFL play. This will improve facility capacity and participant safety and ensure the lighting meets appropriate standards.

A new Manningham Recreation Strategy will help guide the future provision of community-based sport, recreation and leisure opportunities for residents over the next 10 years.

Image: Federal Member for Menzies Gabriel Ng, MP, Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante and North-Eastern Metropolitan MP Sonja Terpstra at Aquarena for the funding announcement.

Manningham Council has welcomed more than $450,000 in Victorian Government funding to support three major recreation and leisure projects, including the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre outdoor redevelopment.

Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante met with North-Eastern Metropolitan MP Sonja Terpstra, and the new Federal Member for Menzies, Gabriel Ng, MP, at Aquarena this week for the funding announcement. The three projects that have received support through the 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, are:

• Aquarena outdoor redevelopment: $250,000
• Domeney Reserve sports field LED floodlight upgrade: $162,937
• Manningham Recreation Strategy: $40,000.

“We’re grateful to receive this critical financial support through Sonja Terpstra and the Victorian Government’s 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund,” Cr Diamante said.

“This funding will go toward important projects that benefit the health, wellbeing and safety of our community in Manningham.

“Aquarena has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From learn to swim lessons in the old outdoor 25m pool, to hot summer days climbing those endless stairs to the car park. Aquarena is part of the fabric of Manningham.”

Sonja Terpstra said, “The Allan Labor Government is delivering on its promise to upgrade Aquarena at Doncaster. As a seasoned swimmer myself, I couldn't be more excited about what this means for locals in Doncaster and surrounding suburbs who love to swim.

“We're also investing $162,937 for LED lighting at Domeney Reserve in Park Orchards and $40,000 towards Manningham Council's recreation strategy. These investments ensure our community sporting facilities are modernised and accessible, which means more people can enjoy playing local sport right on their doorstep.”

The redevelopment of the outdoor precinct at Aquarena will see a new 50m outdoor pool, family zone with interactive water play, splash pad and toddler pool, spectator seating, change rooms, a new café and more.

At Domeney Reserve, the sports field floodlighting will be upgraded to a minimum of 100LUX to meet the needs for evening AFL play. This will improve facility capacity and participant safety and ensure the lighting meets appropriate standards.

A new Manningham Recreation Strategy will help guide the future provision of community-based sport, recreation and leisure opportunities for residents over the next 10 years.

Image: Federal Member for Menzies Gabriel Ng, MP, Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante and North-Eastern Metropolitan MP Sonja Terpstra at Aquarena for the funding announcement.

Manningham Council property purchase sets the stage for new community house

Manningham Council has signed the contract to purchase 576-578 Park Road, Park Orchards as part of its planning for a new Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre.

A priority action in Council’s Community Infrastructure Plan, discussions and advocacy have already commenced for the replacement of this popular neighbourhood house and it is hoped that this significant investment by Council will be the catalyst for investment from other levels of government.

Manningham Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, said the existing community house needs replacing to bring programs and services together.

"The Community House is widely used and offers a variety of programs and services in learning, fitness and art for all ages, and includes a well-loved childcare facility.

“The current building is coming to the end of its useful life, has limited accessibility and is too small to cater to all programs. These limitations have resulted in programs moving to different locations and spread across multiple local venues.

“By bringing these programs together into one building with better access and more space, we can improve efficiency and better support the community’s growing needs.”

The location of the new property, adjacent to the existing Community House at 572 Park Road, will allow for more space for the variety of programs on offer.

“Located in the heart of Park Orchards, as part of a community and education precinct and near public bus transport, the site will maintain convenient access to childcare, schools, recreational areas, and shops.” Cr Diamante added.

The purchase of 576-578 Park Road is part of Council’s long-term planning to replace this important neighbourhood house for Park Orchards.

Neighbourhood houses are predominantly funded by government grants and additional state and commonwealth government funding will be needed to deliver this new community facility.

“We have purchased this property as part of our long-term plan for the community house and local area. We’re pleased to be able to secure a site for a new centre in Park Orchards and will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding to deliver it.”

The purchase was funded by Council’s Strategic Fund which is part of its 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34.

For more information, visit Your Say Manningham.