The Wandering Wombats of Templestowe Village have lost their colour!

Will you help us colour them in? We have seven wombat brothers and sisters awaiting your artistic expertise.

Please join artists Robert Michael Young, Lukas Kasper, and Keedan Rigney in the Templestowe Village Pop up Park for a wombat painting workshop.

There will also be opportunity during the workshop to help us paint our new community giant Jenga. This game will be installed as part of the pop-up park refurbishment, commencing shortly.

Drop in anytime to be part of the fun.

All welcome. Recommended for young people under 12 years.

We will provide painting smocks and materials, just turn up!

Learn more about the Templestowe Village Pop-Up Park.

This project has been funded by Manningham Council and the Department of Jobs, Regions and Precincts COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund.

Image: Artwork by Robert Michael Young  

Learn the unique art of Chinese brush painting with our experienced teachers.

In this class you will learn:

• basic brush strokes
• brush loading techniques
• the use of Chinese ink and colours on rice paper.

Activities will include a series of practical exercises before completing small paintings on three main themes – flowers, birds, fish and landscapes.

The class is suitable for beginners and continuing students. No experience required. All adults aged 55 years and over are welcome to attend.

Please note: students need to supply their own materials.

This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and improve your health and wellbeing while connecting with others in your community.

To reserve your place in the class, call Bo on 0437 956 639.

We look forward to seeing you at our class.

The class is run by CASS Care, a non-profit organisation, providing aged care services in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Australian Skate Park League (SPL) is coming to Doncaster on Saturday 10th December for the Melbourne Metro Series, which is part of the Victoria League.

The Victoria League makes up one part of the YMCA's national pathway program that comprises of leagues in QLD, SA, NT, WA and NSW. The Doncaster round is part of an interconnected series of skate park events that will be held across Vic and will feature scooter, BMX and skateboard competitions.

The series is a great opportunity for both seasoned riders and young new skaters to get involved. People can compete to be crowned the winner of Melbourne Metro Series, while those still finding their feet get the opportunity to have a go, improve their skills, interact with the pros and win some fun prizes. SPL gives the community the opportunity to get involved and cheer on their own.

Free entry, all genders and abilities welcome

Send your kids along to our school holiday drama workshop with professional actor and artist Sorab. 

The workshop is for younger children aged between 8 to 12 years. They will be introduced to the principles of performing and self-expression through fun theatre games and activities.

Workshops take place in our beautiful Doncaster Playhouse.

Bookings are essential as spaces are very limited.

Don't miss this opportunity to catch Sarob before he heads off on tour!

About Sorab:

Born and raised in Melbourne, Sorab Kaikobad has been acting and creating since he was a child.

As a graduate of 16th Street Actors Studio, Sorab had the good fortune of working with various master teachers including Elizabeth Kemp and Chris Edmund. He has also worked under some of Australia’s finest directors, such as Jason Raftopolous, Iain Sinclair and Paul Currie.

Mullum Mullum's 3X3 basketball tournament promises to be an exciting, action-packed event for all basketball enthusiasts.

Whether you're a seasoned player or beginner, the tournament offers an opportunity for age groups to play against each other, allowing everyone to participate and have fun. 

The tournament will group competitions by age and skill level.

Please note: opposition teams may contain players of different genders to your own.

The YMCA will provide all necessary equipment. Players are required to wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

Registration cost: $100 per team

Registration closes: Friday 7 April 11:59pm

Under 18's competition: Thursday 20 April

Over 18's open age competition: Friday 21 April

Each player on the winning teams will receive a pair of Converse basketball shoes of choice, valued at a minimum of $200. More prizes will be announced on the day of competition.

Pomegranate Cultural Group are thrilled to present a compelling performance highlighting the experiences of Iranian girls and women. With a unique blend of poetic and documentary perspectives, this play seeks to shed light on the injustices faced by women in Iran.

Showcasing the pivotal events that have transpired within the framework of the Iran Women's Movement over the past year. This movement has transcended geographical boundaries, gained global recognition and empathy well beyond the confines of their homeland.

At the core of the monologue lies the impactful slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," symbolizing the triumph over oppression. This slogan serves as a guiding light, directing the production and enabling them to delve into Iranian women's strength, resilience, and courage as they navigate challenging circumstances.

Presented by: Pomegranate Cultural Group

Written by: Mohammad Rezaee Rad

Directed by: Ehsan Bayatfar

Acted by: Sadaf Monajemi and Sara Hakimi

Produced by: Nasibeh Irani

Manningham Council’s Gambling Policy is due for an update with the latest evidence, data and community input. We are inviting community members to participate in one of two workshops to discuss gambling harm in Manningham.

During these workshops, we want to hear about your understanding of gambling harm in the community and where you think Council should prioritise its response. Your feedback will help us to develop evidence-based strategies to address gambling harm in Manningham.

Topics covered will include:

• gambling harm in Manningham in relation to key community groups and settings
• where the community believes Council should prioritise its effort in responding to gambling harm

We are interested in hearing from people who have been impacted by gambling harm, either directly or indirectly.

For more information, please visit Manningham Gambling Policy on Your Say.

Please note: this session will be held in-person and catering will be provided.

Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in Electric vehicles. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of electric vehicles.

The information session will cover:

• charging systems, charging times and expanding infrastructure
• distances that Australians usually travel and how the perceived barrier to EVs is dissolving
• battery technologies - innovation is driving higher capacity, less weight, longer life spans, better safety and end of life recycling
• the cost to travel using electricity as a fuel and the impact of a growing electric fleet for our electricity grid
• the various models that are available now, and the many more that will arrive with policy changes and surging demand.

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.

This online program provides an overview of dementia and how to proceed after a diagnosis. The program runs over seven sessions and covers coping with change, relationships and communication, planning for the future and staying healthy.

You will gain knowledge in:

• dementia and related issues such as planning for the future
• strategies for living positively with dementia including support
• the management, reduction and/or prevention of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Suitable for people living with dementia and their family carers and family members. This program is not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sectors.

Dementia Australia's facilitators have specialist dementia knowledge, skills and experience. This program is delivered interactively - you will be encouraged to share your experiences alongside other participants, giving you an opportunity to develop new support networks.

If you register to attend this program you will be contacted by Dementia Australia staff to ensure that the program will meet your needs and that you meet the eligibility requirements.

We acknowledge that racism continues to be a reality for many people in Victoria. This event provides an opportunity to hear from people who have explored this topic extensively with local communities, and those with lived experience.

Tackling Racism is an event to mark United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Manningham Council has partnered with Victoria University on a project mapping racism where it occurs, understanding the reporting barriers and supporting the needs of people who experience it.

Come along to hear Dr Mario Peucker, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, share his findings from the report. Lingzhi Ruan, from Womens Health East, will talk about their anti-racism project Taking Action to Combat Racism with Mandarin speaking women. The event will also feature a panel consisting of local community members and the Eastern Community Legal Centre sharing their insights and experiences on tackling racism and promoting equality.

Help shape community services in the mental health space and get paid for your time!

Access Health invites young people in Manningham to co-design an approach to increase mental health service access for multicultural groups.

Who can participate

We are looking for people who:

• are aged 18 to 25 years old
• live, work or study in Manningham, and
• have families that speak a language other than English at home.

All participants will be paid $80 for attending. 

How to register

Register online to express your interest to participate.

We will contact you once your application has been received and confirm your place in the session. 

We look forward to talking with you about how we can improve access to mental health services for young people whose families speak a language other than English at home.

Richmond Institute and Life Saving Victoria are running First Aid and CPR training for Manningham's sport clubs volunteers.

Suitable for those wanting to refresh their training or complete training for the first time.

Richmond Institute is the education arm of the Richmond Football Club and a leader in sports industry education. In 2020 Richmond Football Club formed a partnership with Life Saving Victoria (LSV) to deliver accredited training on their behalf to Richmond Institute staff and students.

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is a registered training organisation regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) approved to deliver nationally accredited vocational education and training services throughout Victoria. 

Together LSV and Richmond Institute work with communities, educational institutions, government agencies, businesses, and the broader aquatic and sport industry, to achieve our combined organisations’ visions and missions.

Want to reduce the amount of waste you produce, but don’t know where to start?

Join Nanna Anna to discover how small, simple changes in your everyday life can significantly reduce the amount of waste you produce.

Living a lower waste lifestyle is something that many Australians are keen to do, as it becomes increasingly obvious that our daily choices directly affect the environment. But when faced with the abundance of information available, it can be overwhelming to know where, and how, to begin.

This free face-to-face presentation is designed to help you explore ways to live a more low-waste lifestyle. It will cover practical examples of how to identify waste elements in your household; low-waste alternatives to everyday items and consumables; and different approaches to implementing low-waste strategies and habits in the future.

Registration is required and spots are limited.

Join experienced tutor, Clare Mannion, in a relaxed and creative environment to enhance your drawing skills.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, our Life Drawing Classes provide a chance to practice sketching the human form from a live model. You will work on the basics of composition, colour and tone to find your own style with Clare.

Standing easels and materials are provided but if you wish to draw with a particular medium, please feel free to bring additional materials.

Please note: a minimum number of participants are required to proceed. Class bookings close 24 hours before the session so be sure to secure your spot early!

Attendance is on a drop-in basis, no commitment needed for future classes. Classes run on the first Thursday of each month until 3 April 2025.

Car parking is available onsite and Bus 905 stops at Thompsons Road / Sunhill Road bus stop.

Summer Celebration is coming to Warrandyte Bridge throughout February at SaHa Beans and Beats.

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 however 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. 

This groundbreaking exhibition calls attention to the pressing issue of Indigenous incarceration in Australia and the crisis of deaths in custody. 

Guest-curated by Kent Morris (Barkindji), it presents works by leading First Nations artists including Vernon Ah Kee, Gordon Bennett, Destiny Deacon, Jimmy Pike, and Judy Watson. Their powerful responses are shown alongside the remarkable creative achievements of former and current prison inmates, many of whom have connected with their culture and Country through The Torch program, such as Thelma Beeton, Stacey Edwards, Robby Wirramanda and Sean Miller.

The exhibition is showing until 20 July 2025 in the Heide Main Galleries.

Visit the Heide website for opening hours and information about how to plan your visit.

Image credit: Trevor Nickolls, Brush with the Lore, 2010, Art Gallery of South Australia, acquisition through Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art, supported by BHP 2018.

Please join us at our annual Yaluk Langa Community Day to celebrate the continuing creative culture and traditions of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, Heide’s Traditional Owners.

Bring your picnic for this free Community Day, held in Heide’s new Gathering Space. Heide is a public art museum and sculpture park located on a stretch of the Birrarung/Yarra River that has long served as a meeting point and as a creative hub. Parking is available on site.

Learn about the Indigenous history of the local landscape and the role everyone can play in Caring for Country from Wurundjeri Elders, who will share stories around the contemporary tree scarring and shield projects funded by Manningham Council, and the revegetation of the river’s edge. 

Activities include performances by the Djirri Djirri dancers, Marn Grook ‘footy’ games played with a possum fur ball, and nature-based art making.

For more information, please click here.

Manningham Youth Services presents All Abilities, All Stars - a basketball event for young people to celebrate inclusion and diversity, as part of Youth Fest 2025. 

With the help of Active Manningham and Doncaster All Abilities Basketball, this all abilities, all stars event will be a full day of 3 v 3 basketball, mini games, free shooting, and fun for all young people aged 12 to 25 years.

• 10am to 12.30pm -  casual shooting, stall holders, mini games and more
• 1.00pm - 4.30pm - 3 V 3 competition

Please note: Competitions will be split by age and gender:

• boys - 12 to 14 years
• girls - 12 to 14 years
• boys - 15 to 17 years
• girls - 15 to 17 years
• mixed - 18 plus years

You will be contacted after registration with a form for team sign ups.

The Red Gum Café located in the Manningham Uniting Church and Community Centre, has now been accredited by Dementia Australia as being Dementia Friendly. 

The Red Gum Café has been established as an accessible and safe environment for people living with dementia, and their carers and families, with staff having successfully undertaken training to help people living with dementia to enjoy social and community connections. 

The café is open Tuesday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9.00am to 2.00pm.

A support group for carers assisting people living with dementia currently meets in the café on the first Friday of every month, at 1.30pm.

Please note: The Friday group is established and no new participants will be added. New additional meeting days and times will be arranged for those wanting to attend and connect. 

Please contact the Church Hub to express your interest to join a new group.

As part of the Inspired Living Series and National Recycling Week, Nina Gbor and fellow panel members will discuss sustainable fashion in a circular economy at the Manningham Function Centre.

Nina Gbor:

Nina is a sustainable fashion educator, international speaker, sustainability consultant, and Founder of Eco Styles. Nina is also the Director of the Circular Economy and Waste Program at The Australia Institute and has been featured on the ABC's War on Waste. Nina will talk about her journey into sustainable fashion and discuss the collaborative effort needed to address sustainability challenges in the fashion industry.

Courtney Holm:

Courtney is a circular fashion systems designer, thought leader and entrepreneur. She founded experimental circular fashion label A.BCH in 2017 and built it into a world leading example of what circular fashion could aspire to. In early 2024, she made a strategic decision to step away from making new clothes in order to focus on industry wide solutions. Courtney is the founder and CEO of Circular Sourcing - a climate tech platform turning surplus textile waste into resource. Courtney's expertise is in circular design for clothing, material flows and circular systems design. The heart of her practice is industry transformation for sustainable and equitable futures.

Jenna Flood:

Jenna is a slow fashion advocate whose main focus is helping people understand the issues that surround fast fashion. She advocates for sustainable alternatives such as pre-loved, vintage and clothing made with sustainable practices. Jenna believes in slowing down our clothing consumption by curating capsule wardrobes and buying for long term investments instead of purchasing on a whim or following short trends. She hopes that in the future, more people invest in the sharing economy by renting or borrowing garments instead of owning them.

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.