View a list of all Councillors and enter your address to find out which Councillor represents you.
You can also download a ward map.
View a list of all Councillors and enter your address to find out which Councillor represents you.
You can also download a ward map.
Following the Council elections in October, we are pleased to announce your new Councillors. The elected Councillors will represent Manningham through to 2028, across our nine wards.
This is a great place for kids to explore and immerse themselves in the outside world.
Discover the sculptures dotted around the trails in the bush. Landscapers, sculptors and artists have helped create a natural play space for kids to explore at Currawong Bush Park. Can you spot the kangaroo? Play in the woven cubby, curl up in the giant nest or count the ants the echidna is about to eat.
See if you can spot the native birds, lizards and frogs on your adventure, or maybe you will be lucky enough to catch sight of a wombat, or koala.
Stay for a bite to eat and enjoy a picnic in the bush, or cook up a feast using the onsite barbecue.
There are many tracks around the park to explore on foot. Our self-guided walks will familiarise you with different areas such as the scar tree and the billabong:
You can park your car at one of the two carparks from the Reynolds Road entrance.
Walk to the park and enjoy the surroundings. Cross the pedestrian bridge near the Mullum Mullum Trail north of Reynolds Road. This track forms part of a 4.5 kilometer circuit walk through the park or for a shortcut, take the driveway to the central area.
Take the bike and use the pedestrian bridge from the Mullum Mullum Trail and the vehicle track from Arnold Drive. To protect the park and animals that live here, you can only use bikes on vehicle tracks.
Please also check the weather before arriving, the park will be closed on total fire bans days.
Dogs are not allowed at Currawong Bush Park because it is a protected habitat.
All Manningham reserves are closed on days of total fire ban, or higher extreme or catastrophic Fire Danger Rating. Visiting a reserve on these days places you at risk and potentially in danger.
To check the current Fire Danger Rating or find out if it’s a total fire ban day, go to the CFA website.
Please let us know if you notice anything unsafe, like a broken tree branch or damaged playground.
Finer fuels such as leaf litter, tree branches and twigs raise the level of risk within reserves. Large fallen trees require a much higher level of heat to burn and provide habitats for native wildlife.
Here are some actions we take throughout the year to reduce the fire risk at this reserve:
We manage 20 per cent of the land in Manningham, but the other 66 per cent is privately owned. Visit the CFA website for information on how to prepare your private property for fire.
Watch the video below to learn more about:
Have you noticed something unsafe like a broken tree branch or damaged playground that needs our attention?
Some types of events, such as festivals or school's cross country runs need a special permission to be held on public land.
Ward Reserve is a large reserve located at the end of a small court in a low density residential area. The majority of the site is on a moderate slope rising from the street and has limited pedestrian accessibility.
Have you noticed something unsafe like a broken tree branch or damaged playground that needs our attention?
Some types of events, such as festivals or school's cross country runs need a special permission to be held on public land.
Come join Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders Uncle Bill Nicholson Jr and Uncle Dave Wandin at Currawong Bush Park. Learn about the significance of scar trees, the traditional practices of creating a scar tree and the tools used.
The Uncles will answer questions about the importance of connecting with Country.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start time. Come prepared and dress for the weather on the day, including closed-toed footwear.
Bring a snack and water bottle for morning tea.
Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
In the event of extreme weather, this event will be cancelled.
Currawong Bush Park is protected habitat, dogs are not permitted in the park at any time.
This event is part of Manningham's 2024 Spring Outdoors Series.
Currawong Bush Park is filled with stories to tell. It gives you the opportunity to have a 'wilderness-like' experience close to home.
There are two different walking routes. From these, there are eight walks to choose from, with each focusing on a different aspect of the reserve, including:
Walks start and finish at Currawong Bush Park, Reynolds Road, Doncaster East.
For a copy of these brochures, please call 9840 9124 or email
Comprises four longer walks that extend into the 'forest'. Sculptural markers dot the landscape and are places to stop for interpretation.
Learn about the wildlife that makes up this big busy bushland with a particular focus on the interrelationships between plants, people and animals.
Time 1.5 hrs
Distance 3.7 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Explore the different habitats in the park with a particular focus on Eucalypt forests and the animals that depend on these forests for survival.
Time 1.5 hrs
Distance 3.7 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Designed for seasoned and budding photographers, this trail focuses on different habitats and bush features for you to capture close up.
Time 1.5 hrs
Distance 3.7 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Learn about our changing perspectives towards land use, land management and wildlife, from indigenous lifestyle and European occupation, to the creation of Currawong as a park.
Time 1.5 hrs
Distance 3.7 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Comprises four short walks, centred on the main car park; sculptural markets dot the landscape and are places to stop for interpretation.
Learn about the different animals that live in Currawong Bush Park.
Time 1 hr
Distance 2 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Draws your attention to what happens in the park at different times of the year, focusing on the diversity of our native flora as well as our marsupials.
Time 1 hr
Distance 2 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Find out who is active in the dark, what sounds to listen for and where to look for wildlife.
Time 1 hr
Distance 2 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
This trail is a bushland 'Who Am I?' game that unfolds in rhyme, and allows children to become 'bushland detectives' by identifying a variety of animals and looking for clues of their whereabouts.
Time 1 hr
Distance 2 kms
Difficulty Moderate – there are hills.
Accessibility Medium – unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Suitable for: Active families, pleasure walkers, super striders, and circuit. Dogs are not permitted.
Trail type: Natural heritage with historic places.
Located in 50 hectares of tranquil bushland, the centre is available for small functions, meetings and seminars. The Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre consists of two separate hireable spaces. It is surrounded by a landscaped and paved outdoor area with picnic and BBQ facilities, and is only 30 minutes from the City via the Eastern Freeway.
The main room can accommodate up to 35 people seated and 50 theatre style. Equipment includes overhead projector, screen and electronic whiteboard. There are breakout rooms and a full kitchen with urn, microwave and dishwasher.
Consists of a self-contained space which can accommodate up to 15 people seated or standing. Facilities include chairs, tables, refrigerator, microwave and urn.
The large shared outdoor space has bench seating and theatre-style raised seating, BBQ facilities and accessible parking.
Hosting a birthday party? Our facilities cater for children aged 12 years or under and adults aged 22 years and above.
Take a virtual tour of Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre.
We have a pricing structure to suit your needs. Booking during the week are for a minimum of 2 hours, and 4 hours during the weekend.
If you book more than 10 times during a year, you are eligible for the regular hirer rate.
| Community | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|
| Conference Room Casual Hire | $40 per hour | $55 per hour |
| Environment Centre Casual Hire | $31 per hour | $50 per hour |
A set bond will be required two (2) weeks prior to your event date. The amount varies per venue and further information will be provided upon booking. All bond refunds will be processed ten (10) business days post event.
Make sure that you and your attendees are covered by public liability insurance. We can assist you to organise this.
Open fires are not permitted in the park.
Take our virtual tour of Currawong Bush Park Conference, or contact our friendly staff with your questions on 9840 9458 or venues@manningham.vic.gov.au.
Cr Conlon has lived in Currawong Ward with his wife and family of eight children for over 20 years.
A Manningham Councillor since 2016, Cr Conlon previously served as Mayor during 2020/21 and 2017/18.
Cr Conlon is passionate about improving local amenity including parks, playgrounds and streetscapes. He advocates for high standards of roads and Council services. Cr Conlon believes good governance starts with integrity and transparency.
Cr Conlon is a professional engineer and teacher with many years of broad business management experience along with community service on various local school and sports clubs committees.
Cr Carli Lange is a long-term Warrandyte resident and has been a councillor of Manningham since 2020, serving as Mayor in 2023/24.
Cr Lange is passionate about Manningham’s Green Wedge, protecting local parklands and sporting facilities, including cycling, and walking connections. She supports the maintenance of community infrastructure, social connection programs, community organisations and health and wellbeing services for families, young adults, and older residents. She is an advocate for emergency management, community safety, environmental security, financial efficiencies and reducing traffic congestion as well as sustainable and responsible development.
Cr Lange believes in being authentic, proactive, and transparent advocacy in representing the community’s needs and concerns. With her teaching and not-for-profit board background, Cr Lange is passionate and committed in bringing people together for a common goal.
Cr Laura Mayne has lived in Manningham all her life is an active member of the community. She has been a councillor since 2020 and served as Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.
Cr Mayne is passionate about making Manningham as inclusive as possible. She endeavours to promote community connection and foster an environment where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging. Cr Mayne values our natural environment and encourages strong climate action and improved parks and open spaces. In addition, she advocates for sustainable transport, quality community infrastructure, and support for our community clubs, organisations, and small businesses.
Cr Mayne is about to complete a Bachelor of Law and Commerce at university and works for a national law firm. She has played multiple sports in the local area and currently plays high level Australian football.
Cr Geoff Gough is passionate about Manningham, having grown up and then raised his own family in the area. He is one of Manningham’s longest serving councillors, having been a councillor continuously since 1997, and has served as Mayor for four terms.
Cr Gough sees the improvement of our footpaths, roads, streetscapes and parks as a priority and is committed to ensuring Manningham’s community infrastructure is well maintained.
He believes in prioritising community support, including local business support, transparency in decisions, sound financial management and accountability to our community. Cr Gough advocates that council needs to listen, consult and act with responsibility and integrity.
Cr Chen has lived in the Waldau Ward for more than 20 years and has been a Manningham Councillor since 2016.
Cr Chen values equity, inclusion and positivity as well as the importance of understanding local issues, listening and working together with our community. She stands for cost-effective operations, sustainable planning outcomes, common sense climate solutions and improving bus services in Manningham. Cr Chen wants to see more civic participation and employment opportunities for our young residents. Cr Chen also wants to see our parks and open spaces are protected and improved. Cr Chen believes in an inclusive, safe and sustainable community for all.
A practising lawyer, Cr Chen is a volunteer solicitor at the Eastern Community Legal Centre and is also volunteering with Manningham Neighbourhood Watch.
Cr Peter Bain has been a resident of Donvale and surrounds with his young family since 2002.
Peter has spent over twenty years in executive and governance roles spanning the corporate and not for profit sectors. He has worked in various fields including health, education, international aid, aged care, disability, and housing. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University. He has been actively involved in a number of community groups and endeavours.
He is passionate about helping those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable within the community.
Cr Isabella Eltaha is a long-term Manningham local, dedicated to driving benefits to the community.
Cr Eltaha is passionate about optimising Manningham Council’s financial outcomes for residents, small businesses and local groups. Having worked in corporate finance and strategy for over a decade, she wants to help optimise solutions to benefit the community broadly.
She is also a community advocate, prioritises improving essential infrastructure, wants to improve public transportation and sees the importance of protecting our precious park life and green spaces. Cr Eltaha believes it is important that council offers essential services efficiently and sees value in supporting small local businesses — all to ensure we enhance and love living local.
Raising a family in the area, Cr Eltaha’s whole world revolves around our great community. She is passionate about making community members feel welcome to reach out to her and to ensure Manningham further becomes a place we are blessed to call home, now and into the future.
Find out which committees Cr Isabella Eltaha is appointed to.
Cr Grivas has lived in Manningham for over 25 years, together with his partner and three kids.
As a previous Councillor in the 2012/16 Council term, Cr Grivas previously served as Mayor in 2013/14.
Cr Grivas has a background in finance through both the corporate and government sectors, and is also a director of his local family businesses.
Cr Grivas is passionate about good governance, with integrity and transparency to allow the Council to provide support services for all our diverse families and older residents, our local businesses, sports clubs and volunteer organisations. He advocates for improved local traffic management, footpaths, roads and streetscapes as well as park maintenance.
Cr Deirdre Diamante has lived in Manningham for more than 40 years and recognises the importance of sustainable economic and environmental decision making that enhances the long term liveability of Manningham.
Cr Diamante believes in growing opportunities for local businesses and efficient spending of our rates on services and infrastructure that better connects the local community, suburbs and streets. She is an advocate for equal opportunity and diversity, for programs that support our elderly residents and for greater state and federal government funding support for Manningham’s charities.
Cr Diamante has three school-aged children, is a business owner, a school council representative, Board Director of the Manningham Bendigo Bank Community Branch.
Find out which committees Cr Deirdre Diamante is appointed to.
The mighty Yarra River winds its way through Manningham, where walking and cycling trails hug the banks. Get out into the fresh air with those you love and have an adventure beneath the gum trees.
Enjoy jogging and cycling opportunities along our regions trails.
Encounter native flora and fauna on the Mullum Mullum Trail and cross the suspension bridge at Finns Reserve and you may even be lucky enough to spot a platypus in the Yarra. Continue onto the Main Yarra Trail you can ride your bicycle all the way to the city or complete a 42km circuit by joining the Koonung Trail and the Eastlink Trail back to your starting point.
Your four-legged friend can join you on a lead in the outdoors at a range of parks across Manningham. Explore Banksia Park in Bulleen, Stiggants Reserve in Warrandyte, Ruffey Lake Park or Westerfolds Park in Templestowe.
Find adventure at Wombat Bend. The massive adventure playground and maze provides adventures for the whole family. On the banks of the Yarra for that extra special day, it’s dog friendly with outdoor cooking facilities, a fitness station and so much more.
The fenced wonguim wilam is located in Warrandyte and is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. This newly upgraded playspace includes a range of play opportunities to discover as well as a new picnic shelter, barbeque and plenty of furniture and grassy open space to enjoy.
Explore Manningham's local environment with 20 self-guided walking brochures that showcase the wealth of natural, historic, cultural and environmental assets we have right here in Manningham!
Offering walks from Bulleen to Wonga Park and everywhere in between, the guides include detailed maps, as well as interesting and informative notes to enrich you walking experience.
Warrandyte River Reserve is a great place to explore with many activities and places of interest to enjoy. Follow the Yarra River through Stiggants Reserve - it is instantly relaxing and calming and there are colourful artworks to enjoy along the path. Dip your toes in the water, try your hand at fishing or grab a canoe and paddle down the river to Pound Bend Reserve and Warrandyte State Park for a truly unique experience.
Encounter Australian wildlife, with koalas, wombats and kangaroos amongst the mighty gum trees of Currawong Bush Reserve. Native flora in bloom, bright red bottle brushes, sunny yellow wattles, and so much more photogenic subjects for your keen eye. Landscapers, sculptors and artists have helped create a natural play space for kids to explore and immerse themselves in the outside world.
Offering eight different walking trails, you can get out there, explore nature and take a moment to breathe in this escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in this oasis in the heart of the suburbs.
Find your local outdoor adventure in Manningham.
Come and meditate in motion with a low-impact, mind-body exercise, which can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance.
World Tai Chi Day is on Saturday 30 April and to celebrate, we're running a series of free outdoor Tai Chi and Qigong sessions for adults.
These two sessions will be at Mullum Mullum Reserve. They're one hour long, and facilitated by experienced instructor, Suzette Hosken, from Jade Lady Tai Chi & Qigong.
Our local wildlife is struggling with the impacts of urbanisation and the removal of habitat. But with a few simple changes, a garden can become an inviting space for fauna to visit and live in.
Learn how to become a ‘Wildlife Champion' by incorporating food sources, water, shelter and nesting places in your garden for our indigenous animals.
Topics covered:
This series of workshops by Sustainable Gardening Australia aims to give you the skills and knowledge to plan and build a wildlife friendly garden at home. All seminars are at Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre, Reynolds Road Doncaster East. Supper is at 6:45pm and the seminar begins at 7:00pm sharp.
Weeds are the bane of the home gardener but also a serious threat to local native flora and fauna.
Whether in private or public gardens, or in the natural environment, weeds compete with preferred plants for space, light, nutrients and water and often are designed to win in the battle.
In this community workshop participants will learn how to identify and control weeds using an integrated approach that minimises negative impacts on the environment.
Topics Covered:
This series of workshops by Sustainable Gardening Australia aims to give you the skills and knowledge to plan and build a wildlife friendly garden at home. All seminars are at Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre, Reynolds Road Doncaster East. Supper is at 6:45pm and the seminar begins at 7:00pm sharp.
Australia is blessed with wonderful mammals, marsupials and monotremes. While we might not all see a large mammal like a kangaroo in our garden, there are many smaller mammals that may visit our garden – especially at night.
Presented by Sustainable Gardening Australia, this workshop will introduce you to the world of mammals, tips on building garden habitat, and the do’s and don’ts to invite this special wildlife into your garden.
Topics covered:
This series of workshops by Sustainable Gardening Australia aims to give you the skills and knowledge to plan and build a wildlife friendly garden at home. All seminars are at Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre, Reynolds Road Doncaster East. Supper is at 6:45pm and the seminar begins at 7:00pm sharp.