Come along and learn from market gardener and passionate seed saver, Julie Bennett from Montalto Kitchen Gardener and Seeds are free. 

In this session, we'll cover the incredible world of seeds, while also discussing tips, tricks and techniques for how to successfully save your own seed – year after year. This will save you money while preserving heritage seeds and maintaining the genetic diversity and local adaptations of our food crops.

This seminar begins at 6.15pm. Please bring along any saved or excess seeds for a seed swap party afterwards! Please ensure your seeds are correctly labelled (envelopes will be provided).

About Home Harvest: Home Harvest is a free, complete home gardening program that runs monthly from February to December. It aims to educate and inspire residents to grow their own organic, nutritious and delicious produce at home. The series hosts seminars, question and answer time, on-site activities and food swaps!

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Join Caroline Parker, herbalist, gardener and author of 'The Medicinal Garden', to discuss how to grow and use medicinal herbs to support a healthy diet and combat colds this winter!

From edible treats to therapeutic remedies, we will unearth the healing potential of both wild and cultivated plants. We will discuss several easy ways to grow medicinal plants and learn how to establish and maintain a planted or potted garden – full of natural remedies for your skin, gut, muscles, heart and mind. You'll also learn how to make oils, tinctures, compresses, steams and washes for health and healing.

The seminar begins at 6.30pm, or join us from 6.15pm for our monthly food swap, where you can bring and trade homegrown produce, cuttings, seeds, gardening magazines, jars, ferments and more!

About Home Harvest: Home Harvest is a free, complete home gardening program that runs monthly from February to December. It aims to educate and inspire residents to grow their own organic, nutritious and delicious produce at home. The series hosts seminars, question and answer time, on-site activities and food swaps! 

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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

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Come along to celebrate the launch of our 2025 Inspired Living Series with a panel of two inspiring local storytellers and eco-adventurers!

Beau Miles

Beau is a father, YouTuber, author of The Backyard Adventurer, wannabe farmer and maker of stuff from other people's junk. Known for oddball storytelling that aims to turn seemingly mundane or silly ideas into things that are enjoyable, challenging and insightful. Beau is known for his ‘Backyard Adventurer’ philosophy of connecting people with their local heritage, history and environment.

Cezary Carmichael (Two Birders Two Bikes One School)

Cezary is a 19-year-old filmmaker and student who recently completed a year-long journey on his bike around Australia to fund the development of a school in Timor-Leste (raising more than $120,000). His upcoming documentary will explore the cultural and ecological significance of birds in Australia and the importance of storytelling and communication in fostering community.

Inspired Living Series – keynote speaker events

Our 2025 Inspired Living Series showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings. The series will introduce you to a diverse lineup of local keynote speakers who will offer unique insights on embracing sustainability.

Topics range from sustainable food to low waste lifestyles. Each speaker will share their journey – inspiring our audience to embrace positive choices, nurture a connection to nature, and strengthen their community for a stronger, more resilient future.

Registration for this event is required.

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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

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Join Elana from Cloth Nappy Workshops Melbourne to discover the world of modern cloth nappies.

She will take you through everything you need to know to get started with cloth nappies. Learn how to wash them, where to buy them and what to look for.

She will cover washing tips, dispel myths, show the different styles of modern cloth and most importantly an opportunity to ask questions to get you confident with cloth.

Are you new to composting? Come along and learn from the experts at Compost Community. They will show you how to get started on your composting journey.

Topics will include:

• choosing a system that suits your lifestyle
• adding organics
• using the finished compost.

The session will cover the three main types of composting – traditional compost, worm farming and bokashi.

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

Manningham has more than four seasons. Duncan Cocking from Leaf, Root and Fruit will deep dive into succession planning for local conditions.

Duncan will discuss the patterns that he sees in nature and how easily you can begin observing them too. Use these observations to inspire your gardening activities by working with nature rather than against it. Learn how to refine your succession planting and ripen that elusive Christmas tomato. Create your own action plan for your vegetable patch.

Topics covered include:

• the seasons of Melbourne/Manningham
• being an observant gardener
• Phenology
• timing of planting and succession planting
• growing Christmas tomatoes, creating an action plan.

Food swap from 6.45pm, session starts at 7.00pm.

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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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

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

Karen Sutherland has a lifelong passion for growing her own food. In this seminar Karen will share with you her expertise in incorporating a bush tucker garden at your place.

This session will cover:

• the best bush food plants for gardens in Manningham
• which plants to pot vs those to plant in the ground
• basic growing information
• the basics of harvesting bush 'tucker'
• simple uses for both fresh and dried plants.

Start your passion for native edibles such as lemon and cinnamon myrtle, native thyme and sage, peppers, mints, fruits and berries.

Food swap from 6.45pm, session starts at 7.00pm.

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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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

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Join us this National Recycling Week at our 2025 Inspired Living Series to discover how we can live low waste for a happier life and a healthier world. 

Lindsay Miles 

Lindsay is an educator, speaker, author and passionate zero waste/plastic-free living advocate who helps others live more meaningful lives with less waste and stuff.

She has been sharing ideas, tips, tricks and strategies on her website Treading My Own Path since 2013. She has published two books ‘Less Stuff’ and ‘The Less Waste No Fuss Kitchen’, detailing simple and practical methods for how to live simply yet richly. Lindsay also presented at the acclimated TEDx Conference, with her empowering talk 'The Non-disposable Life'.

Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events

The 2025 Inspired Living Series showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings. The series will introduce you to a diverse line-up of local keynote speakers offering unique insights on how we can all shift to and embrace sustainability.

Topics range from sustainable food to low waste lifestyles, and each speaker will talk about their journey, and inspire our audience to embrace simple, positive lifestyle choices, connect to nature and foster community for a stronger, more resilient and brighter future.

Registration for this event is required.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

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Clean Up Australia Day is happening on Sunday 2 March, come along and help keep our beautiful city clean.

We would love our community members to join our Councillors and staff at Boronia Reserve - 105 Leeds Street, Doncaster East (meet in car park). 

We will be conducting our litter collection along Koonung Creek Linear Park.

Each participant will be issued with gloves and litter collection gear.

BBQ lunch will be provided from 12.30pm.

Native Bees and butterflies are great pollinators and beautiful additions to any garden. There are many things you can do to attract them to your garden.

This workshop will introduce you to the wonderful world of native bees and butterflies. It will cover the role of insects in nature as pollinators and discuss practical ways you can attract them to your garden. You’ll be helping the environment while enjoying the splash of colour, movement and beauty native bees and butterflies bring to a garden.

Presenter: Charlotte Harrison from Sustainable Gardening Australia.

Supper is at 6.45pm, the seminar begins at 7.00pm sharp.

Registration is essential.

This is the third session of a four-part series on Gardening for Biodiversity. The following and final session will cover how to attract small birds into your garden. The series of workshops is run by Sustainable Gardening Australia and provides tips and tricks to garden for wildlife and support biodiversity in your local area. 

Join Elana from Cloth Nappy Workshops Melbourne to discover the world of modern cloth nappies.

She will take you through everything you need to know to get started with cloth nappies. Learn how to wash them, where to buy them and what to look for.

She will cover washing tips, dispel myths, show the different styles of modern cloth and most importantly an opportunity to ask questions to get you confident with cloth.

Find out how solar power and solar batteries will improve your home, save you money and generate a clean future for the environment.

This webinar will include:

• how solar power and battery systems work
• buying good quality solar and battery products
• what to look for in a solar and battery quote
• how to find a good installer
• how government rebates help.

Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in this field. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of installing solar power and solar batteries at your home.

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.

Bookings are essential.

As part of the Inspired Living Series, Jesse Glascott and Elle Paton will discuss sustainable building design and tiny homes at the Manningham Function Centre.

Jesse Glascott, is co-founder of the Sustainable Building Alliance, Director of G-Lux Builders and architect of the iconic Warrandyte Panel House. Jesse will discuss what goes into designing and building net zero sustainable homes.

Elle Paton is co-founder of the Australian Tiny House Association. Tiny homes are prefabricated, transportable dwellings that can provide off-grid, eco-friendly and low cost solutions. Elle will share her story of what its like to live in a tiny house.

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.

As part of the Inspired Living Series, Sarah Wilson will present This One Wild and Precious Life at the Manningham Function Centre.

Sarah is a multi-New York Times and Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, international keynote speaker, philanthropist and climate change advisor. Her most recent title, This One Wild and Precious Life, won the 2021 US Gold Nautilus Award.

Sarah is an expert at creating a sense of hope and inspiring communities to thrive, united through connection - recognising that deep down, many of us are feeling that same itch for a new way of living.

This powerful presentation will challenge you to reclaim your wild, precious life and offer a radically hopeful path forward.

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.

Learn how to identify our local eucalypt trees and find out how understanding where they grow can help you to read the landscape.

If all the trees and bush look a bit the same to you, this short walk and talk could change the way you see the world!

Join experienced local naturalist and ecologist Alan Noy to guide you through the process.

For over 150 years, Longridge farm was grazed by cattle. Now, under Parks Victoria management, it is recovering with plant regeneration and the return of wildlife.

The ridge offers spectacular views to the north, and the rapids are some of the prettiest on the Yarra.

• Distance: 5km
• Time: 3 hours
• Rating: Difficult

Wear sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Bring a water bottle and a snack

Meeting point advised on registration.

Come along to our 2025 Inspired Living Series panel to learn about the exciting future of electrification and energy efficiency – both at home and beyond!

Heidi Lee

Heidi is the CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions, an independent think thank that shows how Australia can prosper in a zero emissions economy through ambitious research, influential engagement and compelling communications. Heidi has two decades' experience in sustainable design and architecture, and in 2024, was named one of The Australian's 'Top 100 Green Energy Power Players' for the third year running. 

Tim Forcey

Tim is one of Australia's leading voices in home energy efficiency and electrification. He is an avid researcher and author of 'My Efficient Electric Home Handbook', which captures a decades worth of advice and insight. Tim founded and contributes to the thriving My Efficient Electric Home online community. As a qualified home energy advisor who has advised in more than 1,000 homes, Tim will share his main insights on how to transform and retrofit any home to be efficient, comfortable and sustainable. 

Brendan Lang

Brendan is an electrician with more than 10 years' experience operating his electrical contracting business. He's also the founder of Get Off Gas. The core motivation for his work is to help accelerate the transition to renewable all-electric buildings and transport, which will reduce running costs and improve liveability. Brendan and his Get Off Gas team offer solutions to electrify homes, with a strong focus on educating homeowners to ensure they make great choices for the environment and their wallets.

Inspired Living Series – keynote speaker events

Our 2025 Inspired Living Series showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings. The series will introduce you to a diverse lineup of local keynote speakers who will offer unique insights on embracing sustainability.

Topics range from sustainable food to low waste lifestyles. Each speaker will share their journey – inspiring our audience to embrace positive choices, nurture a connection to nature, and foster community for a stronger, more resilient future.

Registration for this event is required.
 

Electrify Your Life 

This event is part of our Electrify Your Life program, supporting residents to go all-electric at home and power up a brighter future for Manningham. Learn how to make the switch at Electrify Your Life. By switching to electric appliances, you can create a safer and healthier home for your family. 

This is a Partner Event hosted independently as part of Renew’s Sustainable House Day 2025 program. Visit Sustainable House Day for the full program.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

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.

This is a free guided nature walk, exploring a variety of bushland settings in Manningham. It is paced to allow participants to enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

This nature walk is rated moderate and incorporates moderately steep and slippery sections.

The walk will cover approximately 3km and go for around 2.5 hours.

The meeting point for the nature walk will be provided at the time of registration.

Please note: nature walks will be cancelled on days of total fire ban or extreme weather warning.