Manningham has one of the largest networks of open space in metropolitan Melbourne covering approximately 17 per cent of the municipality and including more than 300 parks.
This includes recreation parks, sporting reserves, natural areas and neighbourhood parks.
Our unique natural environment provides a sanctuary to 56 threatened animal species and is home to 22 per cent of Victoria’s known plants, including 11 species of state significance and four species of national significance.
A large section of the eastern half of Manningham is designated as a ‘Green Wedge’ area for the protection of our natural and rural environment.
Responding to climate change
As an environmentally forward thinking Council, we believe the decisions we make today have the potential to change the future for generations to come.
Protecting our environment
Protecting our environment and biodiversity is a shared responsibility and together with the support of our partners and community, we are actively working to preserve and enhance our city’s natural resources to ensure they will survive and thrive for generations to come.
Citizen Science
Learn about what Manningham are doing in your local green spaces to gain a better understanding of the world around us.
The Green Wedge
A large section of the eastern half of Manningham is designated as a ‘Green Wedge’ area for the protection of our natural and rural environment. Learn about the area and what we're doing to protect it.
Tree management
We plant new trees within Manningham as part of our tree planting program. We also maintain trees in residential areas, parks, and reserves. Find out about our Tree Management Plan and how to request an additional street tree for planting.
Guides
Let's welcome our new Mayor - Warrandyte resident, school teacher and mother of three, Councillor Carli Lange!
The Yarra Ward Councillor was unanimously elected to the position by her peers at last night’s Annual Meeting (2 November 2023).
Cr Lange is a passionate advocate for the local community with her fellow councillors praising her for her energy, impartiality, empathy and work ethic.
Cr Lange will be supported in her new role by Deputy Mayor, Cr Laura Mayne who was also elected unanimously last night.
Cr L Mayne congratulated Cr Lange and said the new Mayor was truly deserving of the role as a compassionate, community-oriented leader, deeply connected to her community.
“Manningham is so lucky to have someone leading them with a heart as big as Cr Lange,” Cr Mayne said.
This sentiment was echoed by our outgoing Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante.
“I know you will be a wonderful Mayor. You have a really strong spine and warm heart and that’s what we need in a Mayor. I’m sure your school students will be extremely proud and what an amazing example of a leader you are for them.” Cr Diamante said.
Council CEO, Andrew Day congratulated Cr Lange on behalf of the organisation.
“We will wrap our arms around you and have no doubt you will be up to the challenge. You are approachable and easy to work with. You have a really strong sense of getting the job done and we will do everything we possibly can to make this one of the greatest years of your life!” Mr Day said.
Cr Lange said she was blown away by the support of family, friends and community, and committed to her fellow Councillors priorities of governing with diligence, transparency, inclusivity and efficiency.
Cr Lange added that she would serve with open-mindedness and empathy while upholding the organisation’s values and achieving the growing community’s priorities through the Council Plan.
“We are lucky to live in this city, where we value sustainable, healthy living, a sense of belonging and respect for one another". Cr Lange said.
"Let’s enjoy this year together; let’s bring out the best in each other and let’s work with all levels of government to bring about the best outcomes for our community". "Let’s provide a solid foundation, ensure efficiency and stability. Let me work with you as your Mayor for we are Manningham!” Cr Lange said.
The Councillors and Mr Day thanked outgoing Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante for her valued contribution and leadership over the past year.
Cr Diamante lead with poise and passion. Among her many achievements during the Mayoral term, Cr Diamante worked tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for people living with dementia, her dedication resulting in Manningham’s first dementia-friendly cafe. Cr Diamante’s term also saw the roll out of the Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) and community bus services.
Cr Diamante said it had been an honour to serve as Mayor in the city where she grew up and that she had enjoyed building relationships with community members from all walks of life. Cr Diamante said she particularly enjoyed one-on-one meetings with residents and welcoming 1400 new citizens to Manningham.
“We’ve done a lot of work this year Councillors and we’ve achieved all of this together.”
National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to celebrate local heroes who have given so much of themselves and their time to the Manningham community!
During Australia’s largest celebration of volunteers, we again acknowledge Manningham’s 2023 Order of Australia recipients, following formal acknowledgment at the February Council meeting.
Congratulations Inaam Barakat, Peter Clifford Burns, Gifford Ernest Hatfield, Dorothy Haynes and Rwth Stuckey, who received their medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) general division last month at a ceremony at Government House.
We asked former Deputy Mayor, Dot Haynes about how she felt about volunteering and receiving this accolade, where she explained that her love for and connection to community motivates her.
“This is a great honour for which I am grateful. It’s my joy to serve the community and I will continue to strive to serve in whatever way I can. My dad instilled into me the belief that ‘people matter!’ This belief, the encouragement of my friends, and the blessing that comes from helping and serving others have all motivated me to serve my community in whatever way I can. People do indeed matter and this award, I feel recognises that fact.”
The Medal of the Order of Australia is awarded to those with outstanding service, commendable of recognition. To be in the running for the award a person needs to be nominated by someone in the community.
Recipients have a speciality in the field they are receiving their OAM for:
Ms Inaam Barakat, Templestowe Lower
For service to the multicultural communities of Victoria.
Ms Barakat is a current a member of Harmony Alliance, the co-ordinator for Arabic Women Social Connection and is the Senior Community Development Officer in the Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre as well as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Mr Peter Clifford Burns, Warrandyte
For service to community and to youth.
Since 1992 Mr Burns has been a consistence leader for the Young Men’s Christian Association finishing his role in 2020 as the Mission Chief Executive. He has previously been awarded the Outstanding Service to the National and International Young Men’s Christian Association Movement (2019).
Mr Gifford Ernest Hatfield, Doncaster
For service to youth through Scouts and to the community.
Mr Hatfield has made a vast contribution to Scouts Victoria since 1954 as an adult leader, was awarded the 65 Year Service Award in 2020 and now has life member position. He is a Parish Council Member for the Koonung Heights Uniting Church and a member of the Box Hill Historical Society.
Ms Dorothy Haynes, former Deputy Mayor, Doncaster East
For service to the community of Doncaster.
As a previous Manningham Councillor (2012-2020) and former Deputy Mayor Ms Haynes has made a significant impact on Manningham. She is the former treasurer and president for the Manningham Interfaith Network and is the current secretary for the Doncaster Branch of Returned and Services League of Australia as well as a current member of the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society, St Gregory the Great Catholic Church and Doncaster Garden Club.
Dr Margaret Rwth Stuckey, Doncaster
For service to community health.
Dr Stuckey is a current Associate Professor and Course Co-ordinator in Ergonomics, Safety, and Health for Latrobe University. She has been a committee member for Riding for the Disabled, Viewbank since 2012 and has made contributions to the organisation such as being a board member, advisor and chair for the Occupation Health and Safety and Risk Management Committee. She has also been a board member for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Victoria and is a member of St Peter’s Anglican Church.
Inaam Barakat, who has worked closely with migrant communities, shared the passion behind her work.
“In the last 40 years, I have been supporting overseas qualified professionals, women, refugees, and asylum seekers and helped them settle into our wonderful country that is Australia.
I have witnessed people achieve their dreams and aspirations. Seeing the positive outcomes for these individuals and their communities drives my passion and commitment to support them. I'm grateful to be a resident in this good municipality with such a beautiful community.”
Rwth Stuckey’s work in occupational health inspired her to volunteer from early in her career and she hasn’t stopped. Even through enduring Multiple Sclerosis for the last 35 years Dr Stuckey says she has always found a way to be involved in the community.
“It’s not about having a disability, or my background and career in occupational therapy, it’s because I like to be involved and I think community is truly important. If there is something that interests me and I have skills that I can contribute, I want to be able to use them for more than just myself.”
This year’s awards recognised and celebrated 1,047 recipients, including 736 in the General Division of the Order of Australian and awards meritorious, distinguished, and conspicuous service.
Manningham Mayor, Deirdre Diamante congratulated the award recipients and thanked them for their contributions.
“Dot, Peter, Inaam, Gifford and Rwth have contributed outstanding service to our community. I am so proud Manningham is home to such dedicated and extraordinary people who are willing to devote their time, energy and passion for others.”
Find support with our online resource directory
On this page
IMMEDIATE HELP
For Emergencies | call 000
IMMEDIATE HELP
SuicideLine Victoria | 1300 651 251
Suicide Victoria offers free professional online counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues.
Lifeline Australia | 13 11 14
Lifeline provides mental health support and emotional assistance on the phone and online.
Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is a free phone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5-25 years.
Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue provides support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illness.
Nurse on Call | 1300 60 60 24
Nurse-on-call helpline provides health advice from registered nurse, 24 hours a day.
Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) | 1300 721 927
The Outer East Crisis Assessment Treatment team provide mobile assessments to people in psychiatric and short-term home treatment as an alternative to hospital.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) | 1800 806 292
SACL is a state-wide after hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.
Safe Steps | 1800 015 188
Safe Steps is a specialist support service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing family violence specialist support to anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.
General Information
Mental Health Foundation Australia provides a range of networks, services, advocacy, events, and support groups for the community to seek support on mental health illness.
Translating and Interpreting Service provides access to services for people with limited or no English language ability. Phone 131 450
Ask Izzy is a mobile website that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby.
PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.
MensLine Australia is a national 24 hour, 7 days a week men’s helpline offering support, information and referrals for men with emotional health, family and relationship concerns. Phone 1300 78 99 78
Parentline is a phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. Confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues is provided. Phone 13 22 89
NEAMI is a not-for-profit organisation providing mental health, homelessness and suicide prevention services.
SANE provides mental health support, information, resources and online forums for family and friends. Phone 1800 187 263
Find support with our range of online resources for wellbeing and mental health support.
Caregivers and Parents
Local services
State services
National services
Depression and Anxiety
State Services
For women and new mums
For men and new dads
National services
Eating Disorder
National Service
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Services
Local Services
State services
National services
First Nations People
Local services
Victorian services
National Services
Food Relief
Local Services
Gambling
State Service
Grief
National Services
Legal support
Community legal centres work with residents to prevent problems, progress fair outcomes and support the wellbeing and resilience of communities. Community legal support providers for Manningham include:
LGBTQIA+
National services
Parents and carers of children who identify LGBTIQA+
Allies
State service
People with a disability
National Services
Multicultural communities
National Services
Suicide Information
State Services
National Services
Loneliness
Local Services
National Services
Physical Activity
State Services
National Services
Young people
Local services
National services
This content was correct as of February 2023 and will be reviewed frequently.
If amendments are identified or you know of another mental health service to be considered, contact us.