Countdown to Carols! 

The countdown is on for Manningham’s biggest event of the year!

Kick-start your festive season with an evening of family friendly entertainment at Manningham’s Carols by Candlelight on Friday 13 December at Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster. 

Program 

6.00pm - Enjoy the pre-show entertainment

The kids will be smiling for hours with our exciting pre-show entertainment, which includes face painting, tasty food trucks and a variety of fun activities in our Kids Zone.

To make the experience even more enjoyable, the Veneto Club Choir, Doncaster Youth Rock Band and Aquarena Zumba will perform live on stage!

7.30pm - Get ready for the main stage

The evening will be hosted by your beloved Carols favourites, Lucy Holmes from Light FM and Richard Thomas. This year’s line up will have you singing along with some of Manningham’s most talented local artists. 

Enjoy your favourite carols tunes performed by local and national artists!  And don’t miss our very special guest – Santa will be stopping by at 8.00pm.

9.30pm - Fireworks finale

Wrap up a magical evening with our breathtaking firework finale that will dazzle and delight.  

Manningham Carols by Candlelight is a smoke-free, family friendly event.  

What to bring

• A torch, comfortable shoes, picnic rug, re-usable water bottle, warm clothes and plenty of Christmas spirit.  
• We’re also encouraging everyone to help us minimise waste this festive season, so please bring your own re-usable drink bottles to fill up at the free water station. 

What not to bring  

• Tents, marquees, glassware, fireworks or pyrotechnics of any type.
• We encourage you to leave your pets at home so they don’t get frightened by the fireworks. The fireworks finale will commence at 9.30pm and will run for approximately 8 minutes. If you live in nearby streets, secure your family pets in a safe, comfortable location or consider bringing them into your house during the display. 

Accessibility

We aim to make Carols accessible to all by providing:

• A large screen located next to the stage
• Auslan interpreters 
• Accessible toilets on site 
• Accessible parking via The Boulevarde off George Street (near the playground). Please show your accessible parking permit to the traffic controllers on the night.
• Manningham Transport Service will be offering pre-booked transport services for older residents to get to the event (see section Getting to Carols).
• Manningham Carols is located in a park on a natural grassed slope. There are paved pathways from the accessible parking zone to the stage area, which is approximately a 100 - 150 metre walk away.  
• Need help on the night? Please visit Manningham’s Information marquee located next to the stage. 

Manningham Carols by Candlelight is proudly presented by Manningham Council. Thank you to our event sponsors Barry Plant Manningham, Silver Star Mercedes-Benz Doncaster, Optus, Montessori Academy and Doncaster Orthodontics. 

This is a smoke-free family event.  

Want tips on how to be your most stylish self in the most sustainable way? Award-winning eco stylist and educator, Nina Gbor of Eco Styles will share her restyling tips.

Learn how to stylishly (re)use the items in your closet to look and feel amazing with any size and on any budget, while reducing your carbon footprint and textile waste.
Nina will also talk about:

• how to find your personal style
• how to find preloved treasures in op shops and online

About Nina Gbor
As the founder of Eco Styles, Nina Gbor is an award-winning sustainability advocate, ethical fashion speaker, climate activist, writer and educator. 
Nina has a master’s degree in International Development and is a former sustainable fashion tutor in short courses at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She coined the phrase ‘get off the fashion trendmill’ which means individuality and self-knowledge should be the premise for consuming clothing, not fashion trends.

Follow Nina on Insta @eco.styles for inspiration on secondhand and sustainable style hacks.

Maroondah City Council is hosting this event in collaboration with Knox City Council, Whitehorse City Council, Yarra Ranges Council, and Manningham Council.

Participants will learn how to make and maintain beeswax wraps for keeping food fresh and hygienic without the use of single-use plastics such as cling-wrap.

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

Council meeting livestream

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!

#SundaySessions #TakeBackSunday

This program is a partnership with Active Manningham, Access Health and Community, and Manningham Council.

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.

As part of the Inspired Living Series, join us on Thursday 23 May to find out what is happening to our local weather patterns and biodiversity.

Our presenter line up includes weather and biodiversity experts Nate Byrne, Professor David Karoly and Dr Greg Moore.

Nate Byrne, is the weather presenter on ABC News Breakfast, meteorologist, oceanographer and science communicator. Nate will discuss the latest climate modelling and how it’s predicted to affect Melbourne’s weather.

Professor David Karoly is an internationally recognised climate change expert. David will explore the latest climate science and how we can help reduce the increasing risk of catastrophic climate change.

Dr Greg Moore is a member of the National Trust of Victoria’s Register of Significant Trees member and inaugural president of the International Society of Arboriculture, Australian Chapter. Dr Moore will discuss how Manningham’s changing climate is impacting local biodiversity.

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.

Meeting Date: 10 December 2024
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.

Meeting Date: 26 November 2024
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.

Meeting Date: 25 February 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.

Meeting Date: 25 March 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.

Meeting Date: 29 April 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.

Meeting Date: 27 May 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.

Meeting Date: 23 September 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.