Are you tired of skyrocketing energy bills and worried about sweltering in the summer heat? It's time to control the heat and create a cool comfort haven at home this summer.

Join this webinar to discover how to:

• Repel the urban heat island effect by harnessing nature's incredible cooling potential! Explore natural cooling methods like passive solar design, landscaping, and ventilation to keep your home cool.
• Examine your home's performance. We'll discuss the impact of air leaks, insulation needs and window treatments which can greatly enhance your home's performance through the heat.
• Learn about best practice 'Active Cooling' using fans and air conditioners. There are smart ways to keep you comfortable, reduce wear and tear, consume less electricity and deliver lower energy bills.
• Consider smart technologies and upgrading appliances for an even more energy efficient future.
• Find out about rebates and get answers to your specific cooling challenges and concerns.

Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious family home, this presentation offers solutions for every type of living space.

Join us for this essential presentation and take the first step toward creating a cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient 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. 

Registration is essential. 

Kelly Sports has summer entertainment covered with a jam-packed holiday program filled with sport and recreation activities. From soccer and cricket, to tag games, kids will have a blast staying active and learning new skills.

The Kelly Sports team are supportive and encouraging. Their aim is to help kids get active, develop skills, build confidence and gain a lifelong love for sports and recreation.

Manningham Council are partnering with Kelly Sports to offer a limited number of low-cost, full and half day places in their holiday program. 

Participants can select from a range of activities, times and days. Spaces are limited, so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

Program information

• classes are for children aged 4 to 12 years
• participants must be Manningham residents to qualify for the subsidised rate
• only one application can be submitted per child

How to apply

To secure one of the low-cost places, register your interest now via the online form. Once you have submitted the form, a Council officer will contact you to confirm registration into your nominated Kelly Sports program.

Please note: applications are an expression of interest only and submission does not confirm a place the program.

View the full program

It takes a village to raise a child, and the role of a grandparent is more important than ever.

Join our free seminar on grandparenting with special guest speaker, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg at the Manningham Function Centre on Wednesday 14 May 2025.

This seminar will provide practical advice and tips about grandparenting and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end. This event is suitable grandparents, parents and carers.

Free, but registrations essential.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Dr Carr-Gregg is a distinguished Australian psychologist, author, and broadcaster, renowned for his expertise in adolescent and family psychology. He has authored 18 books on topics including parenting, mental health, and adolescent wellbeing, including Grandparents and the Grandparenting Code. His 19th book is currently in progress. 

In 1985, Dr Carr-Gregg co-founded CanTeen, the world's first national support group for teenage cancer patients, alongside a group of young cancer patients. He has held significant roles in academia and research, including serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne. In 2018, he led the enquiry for the NSW Government that led to the nationwide ban on mobile phones in state and territory schools.

We will be hosting a free ‘Waste Drop Off Day’ where residents can responsibly dispose of a range of materials that cannot be placed into household bins. All items collected on the day will be recycled. 

Bookings will be available through Eventbrite from Friday 1 August.

What you need to do

Return to this webpage from Friday 1 August to book your drop off. When you book, select the time slot you wish to drop off your waste and we’ll take care of the rest.

Only the following items will be accepted:

• Small household electrical items (like toasters, hairdryers and tools)
• IT and TV equipment (like TV sets, computers, printers and cables)
• Computer accessories (like keyboards, mice and storage devices)
• Game consoles and electronic toys (remove batteries)
• VCR, DVD and CD players
• Microwaves
• DVD and CDs (no VHS tapes)
• X-rays
• Clean polystyrene - blocks only (no pellets or balls)
• Smoke alarms 
• Fluorescent tubes and CFL globes
• Paint tins and spray cans (10 litres max)
• Gas bottles
• Household and car batteries
• Cardboard (must be flattened - limited to one car boot load per person)

We do not accept:

• vacuum cleaners
• electric blankets

We reserve the right to reject any unsuitable items.

Registrations are only open to Manningham residents and are essential to avoid lengthy delays.

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. 

We invite you to join us in acknowledging the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) as we gather together to recognise the strengths, contributions and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Attendees are welcomed to join us in raising the Pride Flag on the concourse out the front of the Civic Centre. We will then move into the function rooms to listen to and learn from our guest speaker, Sally Goldner, share her lived experiences and speak to this year's IDAHOBIT theme.

2024 IDAHOBIT theme "No one left behind: Equality, freedom and justice for all".

Please note: registrations are required for this event. 

Keynote speaker

Sally Goldner AM’s massive involvement in Victoria’s queer communities spans nearly 30 years. Her diverse contributions include being a founding member of Transgender Victoria, presenting 3 CR’s “Out of the Pan,” Transfamily Treasurer, Just.Equal Australia Treasurer and Bisexual Alliance Victoria Treasurer. She is the focus of an autobio-doco “Sally’s Story”, a life member of four queer-focussed organisations and has made broad-ranging contributions to many groups.

Sally was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2016 (the first trans and first known bi woman to receive the honour), awarded LGBTI Victorian of the Year in 2015 and noted in The Age’s Top 100 most creative and influential people in Melbourne in 2011. She was awarded the Order of Australia in 2019. She is a professional wrestling ring announcer, MC, speaker, educator, life coach and occasional performer (all in contrast to her original accountancy training!).

Power 2 Pedal is a fun and welcoming program, delivered in a safe environment where kids and teens with autism will learn and develop their bike riding skills.

This program will also support people to build their skills and confidence to be able to include bike riding in their everyday life, for example riding to school.

When

Each Monday between 22 April and 27 May 2024 (six week program). 

Cost

$90 or participants can use NDIS plans to pay for the program.

Beginners (Level 1)

This level is designed for those who are new to bike riding or those who have been riding with training wheels. Focus areas will be balancing, pedalling, steering and braking.

If your child is a more advanced rider, register for the Level 2 (intermediate) program instead.

Support staff

We recommend all participants have someone with them at the program to support their development one-on-one.

Please note that support staff are not organised through this program. Should participant support be required, please organise this through a disability service provider (such as Leisure Networks). 

What to bring

Participants are encouraged to bring their own bike and helmet. If this is not possible and you require access to equipment or you are unsure what level would be appropriate for your child, please phone Tori on 0434 412 989 or email tori.honner@leisurenetworks.org.

Places are limited in this program and registration is required.

Power 2 Pedal is supported by VicHealth in partnership with Aus Cycling, Manningham Council, and the Park Orchards BMX club.

For more information download the flyer below.

Power 2 Pedal is a fun and welcoming program, delivered in a safe environment where kids and teens with autism will learn and develop their bike riding skills.

This program will also support people to build their skills and confidence to be able to include bike riding in their everyday life, for example riding to school.

When

Each Monday between  22 April and 27 May 2024 (six week program). 

Cost

$90 or participants can use NDIS plans to pay for the program.

Intermediate (Level 2)

This level is designed for those who are confident riding but need to refine their skills. Focus areas may be controlling/turning, braking, scanning, gear changing and hazard awareness. Participants will also get the opportunity to learn new BMX skills and ride on the BMX track.

If your child is a less experienced rider, register for the Level 1 (beginner) program instead.

Each session will have a maximum of 10 participants with two coaches.

Support staff

We recommend all participants have someone with them at the program to support their development one-on-one.

Please note that support staff are not organised through this program. Should participant support be required, please organise this through a disability service provider (such as Leisure Networks). 

What to bring

Participants are encouraged to bring their own bike and helmet. If this is not possible and you require access to equipment or you are unsure what level would be appropriate for your child, please phone Tori on 0434 412 989 or email tori.honner@leisurenetworks.org.

Places are limited in this program and registration is required.

Power 2 Pedal is supported by VicHealth in partnership with Aus Cycling, Manningham Council, and the Park Orchards BMX club.

 For more information read the flyer below.

UPDATE: This event has sold out.

Football Victoria will be activating the newly installed dual futsal court at Koonung reserve to teach you how to play street football.

This event is perfect for all street football, futsal and soccer enthusiasts who want to try street football for the first time or enhance their skills and test out the new public outdoor dual futsal court in Manningham.

During the clinic, participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced Football Victoria coaches who will guide you through various street football techniques, strategies and games.

This clinic is for all levels - beginners and advanced.

Please note: there are two sessions running on the day. Register for the session that matches your age group.

• 10.00am to 11.00am - under 8's and under 10’s
• 11.00am – 12.00pm - under 11’s and under 12’s

Registrations are essential. Numbers are strictly limited.

Appearance and coaching from Daniel Cappellaro - D10

D10 is Daniel Cappellaro, a futsal player, street footballer and coach. Daniel, along with staff from Football Victoria will be joining in both sessions at this clinic.

Daniel has travelled the world playing street football and futsal in the UEFA Futsal Champions League. Daniel has also represented and helped found Western Australia’s most successful futsal club Cambio Cumbre.

Other highlights include AFA Australian Men’s team selection and representing Western Australia at the FFA Nationals. On the East coast of Australia, Daniel played for Melbourne Futsal Club (powered by Melbourne City Football Club), Balwyn Futsal Club and Pascoe Vale Futsal Club, in Victoria’s and Futsal Oz’s prestigious Series Futsal Victoria.

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 from Edible Eden Design will talk about the best way to maintain and prune your fruit trees during winter for long lasting thriving fruit trees. 

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

This month Maria Ciavarella from My Green Garden will show you how to preserve home grown tomatoes.

The session will cover the art and science of:

• bottling (jars of peeled tomatoes)
• pickling (green tomato pickle)
• making a sauce (ketchup style)
• dehydrating (dried tomatoes)
• preserving using a process that requires no electricity,  smoke or steam.

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.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

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

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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.

Join renowned educational group Sustainable Gardening Australia as they discuss how the garden can be a place of climate action.

You'll also learn how to implement changes to reduce your contribution to climate change and help build personal and community climate resilience.

The session will also discuss how to climate proof your garden using organic waste, microclimates and water smart gardening.

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! 

Registrations are essential. 

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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.

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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.

Join urban food garden specialist Kat Lavers from The Plummery as she discusses garden tools and infrastructure.

The session will cover:

• alternatives to pots
• stakes
• shade cloth
• nets
• buckets
• ties
• and what to look out for in hard rubbish, skips and op shops.

Kat will also cover which tools are worth investing a few dollars in, and how to look after them.

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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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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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.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

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

Subscribe now

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.

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

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

Subscribe now