Who said you shouldn’t enjoy Christmas music all year round? No one we know!

It’s not all Christmas though, we've also included a variety of many other enjoyable pieces. After the world premiere of Iron Horse at our 50th Gala last year, we're including another young Australian’s original composition.

We're also very proud to have a fantastic guest soloist on Cor Anglais performing two pieces with us. This is a very difficult instrument to play and having heard some of her recordings, we know you’ll be impressed.

Please spread the word and encourage family and friends to come and enjoy a great afternoon with the Manningham Concert Band.

Tickets available via TryBooking and also at the door.

All are welcome to this inclusive Melbourne Inner East event designed to bring together individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ages and abilities, along with their families, our dedicated volunteers, and the local community to foster connection and celebrate the joy of sport.

Participants will enjoy a range of sports-themed games and activities, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere. The event will also serve as an open invitation for individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism from the broader community to explore our programs, discover opportunities to get involved in sport, and connect socially in a warm and welcoming environment.

This gathering is all about promoting inclusion and engagement through sport, fostering a joyful, family-friendly atmosphere that celebrates diversity, connection, and the power of sport to bring people together. 

More information can be found here.
 

Ready to bump, set, and spike your way into the world of volleyball? This beginner-friendly program is the perfect place to start! 

Volleyball Labs will keep these sessions fun and welcoming while teaching you the skills and confidence to grow as a volleyball player. Whether you're totally new or just want to level up, you'll learn the fundamentals in a supportive, high-energy environment that focuses on fun, teamwork and inclusion.

Plus, if you're feeling competitive, there's a pathway to take your game to the next level — all the way to state competitions!

Cost: $30.00 per session or $100.00 for 4 sessions.

Age group: all genders aged 12 to 17 years or  youth in grades 6 to 12 (high school students)

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.

That's a wrap! Thank you to everyone to joined us for Manningham’s most anticipated event of the year!

On Friday 8 September our community came together with Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante to be a part of this glamorous night. 

Partnering with MannaCare, the Mayoral Charity Gala has raised awareness and funds for initiatives to support those in our community touched by dementia.

We're still taking donations!

Our partner MannaCare are still taking direct donations.

All proceeds will go to creating a dementia-focused initiative in Manningham.

 Thank you to our wonderful partner and sponsors! 

• MannaCare - Gala partner
• Noel Jones Doncaster - Gold sponsor
• Rose Phoenix Health - Bronze sponsor   

Need help?

If you have any questions about donating directly, please contact our events team on 9840 9333 or at events@manningham.vic.gov.au

PEP's One Act Wonders is a series of eight short plays. 

Each play was carefully selected by our panel and includes only Victorian playwrights. This is a celebration of the local talent that we have in this amazing state.

Each performance includes the following eight plays:

Directed by Jennifer Pacey

• The Learning Curve by Jennifer Pacey

• Women of the World by Emma Wood

Directed by Sarah Tierney

• Tacenda by Cat Tregillis

• Let's Get Personal by Louise Hopewell

Directed by Justin Cleaver

• Two Minutes and Counting by Jennifer Pacey

• The Black Spot by Louise Hopewell

Directed by LB Bradley

• Me Time by Jennifer Pacey

Directed by Julia Lambert

• Un-TIT-Led by Julia Lambert

Directed by Jennifer Pacey, Julia Lambert, Justin Cleaver, LB Bradley and Sarah Tierney.

A 6 week art therapy group for kids in grades 5 and 6, who have experienced or witnessed family violence.

Making art can help us to tell our stories and make sense of our experiences. Plus, it is a fun creative way to get to know ourselves better as well as others in the group. Helping us to appreciate who we are, our special talents and gifts, and to see these gifts in others too.

Art therapy helps us to:

• express thoughts, ideas, and emotions
• manage difficult feelings, like anger and worry
• learn to problem solve and build resilience
• grow confidence and self-esteem
• improve social skills

A fun, safe and supportive space that encourages listening and caring.

Participation is free and all art materials will be provided. No artistic skills necessary!

This program is provided by Doncare in partnership with Anglicare Victoria.
 

If you don’t know who you are and you don’t know where you’re headed, you might find yourself spiraling in ever-tightening circles until you come to rest in a nondescript part of town in a crummy two-star hotel, where the service is churlish, the lift doesn’t work, the toast is burnt and the pot plants set off your allergies.

But keep your expectations low, really low, and, who knows? – you might be pleasantly surprised by how everything works out. 

Life without Me, by the much-awarded playwright, Daniel Keene, is a funny, honest and heart-warming story that invites us to question life, or at least our own. A mix of drifters, set in a hotel lobby, capturing the emotional truth of the almost absurd characters in search of the concept of happiness.

Presented by PEP Productions.

Join award winning visual artist Bridget Hillebrand and Sonja Ross from BirdLife Melbourne as they share their knowledge and passion for the ecology of the Birraung (Yarra River).

Bridget will reveal insights into the creation of her immersive, site specific installation ‘River’. Sonja will discuss some of the ways we can best support the habitat and needs of Australia’s native birds.

Spaces are limited, please register via Eventbrite.

Kickstart the holiday fun!

Join the Football Star Academy for some action-packed fun and games on the field. No previous football (soccer) experience required.

Program information

• suitable for all genders
• this activity is for kids aged five to 12 years.

Terms and conditions

• Participants must be Manningham residents to qualify for the subsidised rate of $10. All other participants will be charged $50.
• Eligible families can apply for multiple children. Only one session application at the discounted rate can be submitted per child per program.

How to apply

To secure one of the low-cost places, register your interest now via phone 0424 253 549 or email vic23.football@sportstaracademy.com.

Spaces are limited, so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

Are you a not-for-profit group or organisation doing great work for older people in our community?

You could be eligible for our Healthy Ageing Grant which will provide between $3,001 and $20,000 in funding. Applications open on Monday 3 June and close Friday 5 July 2024. 

We encourage community organisation representatives to attend this information session which will cover: 

• grant overview

• eligibility

• key dates

• how to apply

• required information

• assessment criteria

This event is suitable for community health services, leisure providers, learning organisations and neighbourhood houses. 

Bookings are essential and limited to two people per organisation.

Need assistance? 

If you have questions or want to know more about our grants program, contact our Grants team on 9840 9333 or email grants@manningham.vic.gov.au.  

Summer Celebration is coming to Templestowe Village every Saturday in February.

Bring your friends, family and party vibes.

We are showcasing our incredible local Manningham artists with our local businesses throughout Summer.

Talented local artists Jazz Notes will be outside Carlucci's creating soulful summer memories. Playing a mix of gentle and upbeat jazz with classical, pop and Latin twists, the Duo combines the delicate sounds of Ann Craig (flute) and Kevin Blazé (guitar) to suit wide-ranging tastes.

Ann and Kevin are both classically trained but, after independently undertaking short courses with Australian jazz legend, Bob Sedergreen, both found the liberation offered by jazz. Then, a chance meeting led to the collaboration that is now Jazz Notes.

Local artists. Local businesses. Live performances. All summer long across Manningham. 

Summer Celebration is coming to D'Oro restaurant at Templestowe Village throughout February.

Bring your friends, family and party vibes.

We are showcasing our incredible local Manningham artists with our local businesses throughout Summer.

Talented local artists Jazz Notes will be creating soulful summer memories. Playing a mix of gentle and upbeat jazz with classical, pop and Latin twists, the Duo combines the delicate sounds of Ann Craig (flute) and Kevin Blazé (guitar) to suit wide-ranging tastes.

Ann and Kevin are both classically trained but, after independently undertaking short courses with Australian jazz legend, Bob Sedergreen, both found the liberation offered by jazz. Then, a chance meeting led to the collaboration that is now Jazz Notes.

Local artists. Local businesses. Live performances. All summer long across Manningham. 

Join a free tour to explore the Bio Gro organics facility.

Discover where Manningham’s food and garden waste is transformed into compost as part of our Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) service.

You can see first-hand how your food and garden waste is processed with the chance to ask questions along the way.

Important information:

• Closed-toe shoes must worn on the day.
• Participants must be 18 years or older.
• Please note that there are stairs leading to the decontamination line, which may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility.

Where to meet:

The tour includes bus transport to and from the Bio Gro organics facility in Dandenong South.

The tour will depart and return to the Manningham Civic Centre at 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster 3108.

Registration is essential as spots are limited. 

Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or background, should feel safe, accepted and included.

Join us in recognising International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). 

IDAHOBIT raises awareness of the violence and discrimination still faced by LGBTQIA+ people across the globe. This year’s IDAHOBIT theme is The Power of Communities.

After raising the rainbow flag outside the Manningham Civic Centre, we’ll head inside to the Manningham Function Centre to enjoy morning tea  and hear from guest speaker Charlie, from LGBTQIA+ youth charity Minus18. Charlie will share some of the barriers and challenges that LGBTQIA+ young people experience, along with practical tips for supporting your LGBTQIA+ friends and family. 

This is a free event, however registrations are essential.  We look forward to seeing you there.

We all love food. As a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing nearly 50 per cent of it in the trash? 

This documentary film looks at our systemic obsession with expiry dates, perfect produce and portion sizes, and reveals the core of this seemingly insignificant issue that is having devastating consequences around the globe. 

Just Eat It brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organisations, and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is equal parts education and delicious entertainment. With its mix of humour and eye-opening moments, it encourages viewers of all ages to rethink their food habits and make more sustainable choices.

Bring your own drink and receive a free bag of popcorn! 

Registration is required. 

Do you like your jazz cool or do you like it hot? We’ve got all of that for you and everything in between.

Come along and support a community concert band whose purpose is to provide a wide variety of enjoyable music for everyone throughout the year.

Having celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2024, we are now commencing the next exciting 50 years doing what we love most.

To add to the enjoyment, there will the always enjoyable multi-media presentation in conjunction with the music, which our regular Gala audience always loves.

Please, spread the word, encourage family and friends to come and enjoy a great evening.

Follow us:
- Instagram: @manninghamband
- Facebook: @manninghamband
- YouTube: @manninghamconcertband

How can people find out more about the event?
https://www.trybooking.com/DBWWQ

 

Join local ecologist John Harris as he takes you on a journey through Warrandyte State Park’s Fourth Hill. John will undertake a bird survey and help you identify birds in the Warrandyte area. 

Key details

• 3km moderate walk, includes steep and narrow sections, creek crossing, slippery sections and tripping hazards.
• Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a water bottle and binoculars. A light breakfast will be served after the walk.
• Download the Aussie Bird Count app on Android and Apple before the walk.
• Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. 
• Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the start time.

The meeting place will be at Gold Memorial Drive Picnic Ground, Warrandyte. 

Please note: the nature walk will be cancelled in the event of extreme weather.

Subscribe to our monthly Environment e-Newsletter

Join us for an engaging seminar where we'll delve into the fascinating world of fungi with expert Dr. Alison Pouliot. 

The earth’s rapidly changing climate and environmental issues have come into sharp focus through the demise of charismatic megafauna and the ‘biodiversity crisis’. But what about stinkhorns and slime moulds? How do fungi and their kin get our attention when they are not only overshadowed by more ‘popular’ organisms, but are rarely included in our ideas about ‘nature’ or ‘biodiversity’?

The good news is it seems we’re in something of a ‘fungal awakening’ and mushrooms are finally having their moment. Over the last 25 years Alison has divided her time between hemispheres, working both with fungi and their followers. She has been actively involved in fungal conservation and land restoration programs.

In this talk Alison will explore how fungi are perceived across hemispheres in conservation contexts and which fungal flagships best capture the public imagination. She will also share some stories from the writing of her recent book, Underground Lovers – Encounters with Fungi in which she interacted with fungi and their followers across a dozen countries.

There will be an opportunity at the end for participants to show their specimens or purchase books.

Booking essential: Limited to 50 people.

About the Presenter

Alison Pouliot, BA (Philosophy), BSc Hons (Zoology), PhD (Ecology/Mycology).

Alison is an ecologist, environmental photographer and author and has presented over 800 environmental seminars, forays and workshops in Australia and internationally.

Seminar field trip

Attending this event will enable you to attend the Seminar field trip: Meeting with mushrooms.

• Date: Thursday 30 May 2024
• Time: 9.00am to 11.30am

This exciting field trip introduces participants to the diversity, ecology and curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi, specific to fungi found in the region and its various habitat types.

Participants will learn some of the basic skills used to identify fungi in the field using multiple senses. The relationships between fungi and various plant species and different habitat types will be discussed. Every fungus has intriguing natural and cultural histories and stories, and these will be shared along the way.

Interested participants will be sent a registration link.