Children from disadvantaged families can now take part in sports and activities without adding extra strain on the family budget.

Applications for Round Three of Get Active Victoria’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program is now open with an expanded eligibility criteria to enable more families’ access.  

The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible children will be able to receive up to $200 each per round.

Manningham Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon said more than 484 vouchers were distributed across the initial two rounds of the program in Manningham this year.

“Financially, it’s been a very challenging time for many families across our community,” he said.

“The program will enable all children the opportunity to be involved in community sports by supporting families doing it tough.” 

In Round Three, the age eligibility has been expanded to include children from birth to 18, enabling all children access to life-saving, learn-to-swim programs and programs that help develop fundamental movement skills.

Families can also access one voucher per child in each round of the program and all eligible expenditure backdated to 1 January 2021, can be accepted.

Application for Round Three of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program will close at 5.00pm, Tuesday 30 November.

For more information including eligibility criteria and to apply for the vouchers, visit getactive.vic.gov.au

Manningham Council has adopted the draft Access, Equity and Diversity Strategy 2014/2017 at the Council meeting held on Tuesday 28 October 2014.

The Strategy is based on the principle that every individual should have the opportunity to participate equally in society.

The Access, Equity and Diversity Strategy provides the framework for how Council will address human rights and social justice issues across a broad range of social policy areas; including culture, faith, gender, disability, language, age and sexual identity.

The draft Strategy was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 24 June 2014, for public exhibition for six weeks.

During this time Council met with more than 20 community organisations and individuals, and received feedback that was assessed as largely positive.

Manningham Council Mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos said the Strategy is an important document to improve community wellbeing.

“The Access, Equity and Diversity Strategy’s aim is to promote an inclusive and harmonious community that celebrates diversity and ensures accessible services and facilities for people of all ages and abilities.”

As part of the Strategy’s Action Plan, it is proposed that Manningham Council declare the municipality a Refugee Welcome Zone in 2015.

Manningham Council is inviting community members to share their views on its draft Access, Equity and Diversity Strategy 2014-2017, which is now on public exhibition.

The strategy outlines how Council aims to address the issues of access and social inclusion within Manningham’s diverse community over the next four years.

Manningham Mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos said Council is trying to remove the social barriers of language, culture, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and age and allow all members of our community equal opportunities to contribute to our society.

“Manningham is a dynamic and diverse community. The strategy aims to address the fundamental rights of all people to be treated with respect, equality and dignity within our City.

“We are inviting the community to share their views on this important draft strategy to ensure everyone’s voice is heard,” Cr Grivokostopoulos said.

To share your views visit Your Say Manningham.

The strategy is also available to view at the Manningham Civic Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster and at local Manningham branch libraries.

Consultation closes at 5.00 pm on Friday 8 August 2014.

For more information, call Council’s Social and Community Services Unit on 9840 9333.

Due to the unprecedented demand for grocery items and the potential impact stockpiling presents to the wellbeing of the community, temporarily, we will not enforce any existing delivery curfews for supermarkets who wish to increase deliveries outside of normal permitted delivery times.

We thank residents who live nearby to supermarkets for their understanding at this time.