With the festive season fast approaching, we have the opportunity to help families in our community who are experiencing hardship.

A Doncare Wishing Tree has been set up in the foyer of the Manningham Civic Centre where you can donate toys and gift cards for children and young people.

Gifts donated through the Wishing Tree will be part of Doncare’s pop-up Christmas shop, which allows local families experiencing hardship to choose Christmas toys for their children

You can get involved in three easy steps:

1. Collect a gift tag from the Wishing Tree
2. Purchase a gift for a child or gift voucher for a teenager
3. Return your gift with gift tag attached to Manningham Civic Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster by Monday 16 December.

Donations of non-perishable food items are also welcome. Find out more.

Other ways you can help 

For families who celebrate Christmas, it can be an expensive time. There are many people who can’t afford to buy enough food, let alone gifts for their children. 

Why not donate to an organisation that distributes gifts and food to people in need? Organisations include:

• Doncare
• Anglicare
• Melbourne City Mission
• Sacred Heart Mission
• The Salvation Army
• St Vincent de Paul
• The Smith Family
• Uniting Care
• Local churches and service clubs

Don’t forget our furry friends too by giving to rescue organisations such as the RSPCA or the Lost Dogs' Home. 

Send your good tidings to those doing it tough this Christmas. The festive season is a great time to get involved and show how much you care.

The Food Relief Network is a group of community-based agencies and organisations that provide emergency relief and material aid such as food hampers, vouchers and pantries to people in financial crisis living in Manningham.

The group also provides opportunities for members to explore collaboration and partnership to improve food security in our community.

This group is made up of members from the following organisations:

• Living & Learning @ Ajani
• Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) initiative 
• Doncare
• LINC Manningham
• Manningham Christian Centre CareNet (MCC CareNet)
• Salvation Army
• St Vincent de Paul
• Vantage Point Church

 The current focus is meeting the increase demand for food relief due to the COVID-19 situation, with a view to improving access to and distribution of fresh food. The agencies are actively seeking donations of food (either fresh or pantry staples) as well as gift cards that be used at supermarkets. Details on how to donate can be found here.  

To be part of the Food Relief Network or for more information, contact Coordinator Community Resilience, Frankie Bailey on 9210 2676 or frankie.bailey@manningham.vic.gov.au. 

Manningham Council has joined forces with Councils representing two million residents in Melbourne’s east and south east in a unified voice calling for urgent action for more social housing* to end homelessness.

The 13 Councils want more housing as the first step to address the often complex social and health needs of the region’s most vulnerable community members.

Providing a safe home first, as part of a broader social housing framework, is the way to stem the increase in homelessness. Only then can the compounding set of circumstances which leads to homelessness be properly addressed to enable better outcomes for vulnerable people facing extreme adversity.

Homelessness is more likely to affect those most vulnerable in our society including women and children fleeing family violence, people with a disability, people living with a mental health condition, people living in poverty and marginalised groups.

The alliance of Councils have adopted a Charter to guide this campaign. The Regional Local Government Homelessness & Social Housing Charter 2020 was determined following a forum of CEOs and senior staff from all Councils in November 2019 and attended by housing providers, peak bodies and state government.

Research Monash Council commissioned through the Council to Homeless Persons identifies that the single most powerful way Councils can contribute to preventing and ending homelessness is to advocate for the increased supply of social housing across Victoria.

The Regional Local Government Homelessness & Social Housing Charter 2020 prioritises three regional commitments that Councils will act on:

• Work in partnership with federal and state government, public and private sector partners in a coordinated approach to deliver meaningful outcomes to increase the provision of social housing and respond to homelessness in east and south east Melbourne
• Scope land within each local government area that has the potential to be re-purposed for adaptable housing needs
• Advocate together for inclusive housing growth including mandatory inclusionary zoning

Manningham Mayor, Cr Paul McLeish said local government service providers or officers are most often the first responders to people experiencing homelessness in local communities.

“Homelessness is a growing issue and we’re pleased to join our Council colleagues to support and advocate for change, including more social housing opportunities. Having a safe home is fundamental for everyone in our communities.

The latest census data estimated that in Manningham more than 3,300 households have been in rental stress, social housing or homelessness, which included 290 households in social housing and 220 experiencing homelessness.

“The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will have pushed many more households into crisis situations where social housing is so important, including women and children experiencing family violence” Cr McLeish said.

The Local Government areas that form this collective include: City of Casey, City of Cardinia, Frankston City Council, City of Greater Dandenong, Knox City Council, City of Kingston, Manningham City Council, City of Monash, Maroondah City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, City of Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges Council and Bayside Council.

This group is supported by Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance , Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Eastern Region Group of Councils and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).

For more information, visit monash.vic.gov.au/homelessness

*Social housing refers to housing owned either by the State Government or by not-for-profit community housing providers that is rented to low income households at either 25% (public housing) or 30% (community housing) of household income.
 

The beyondblue bus will visit the MC² forecourt on Tuesday 24 March from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm, as part of the organisation’s efforts to raise awareness about mental health.

The visit is part of the beyondblue National Roadshow, which started in February 2014 and has travelled more than 45,000 kilometres through every state and territory in Australia.

The afternoon of free activities at MC² will include a barbecue, Bollywood dancing, face painting, box sculpting, a planting activity and giant games such as Jenga, snakes and ladders, and chess.

Manningham residents will also have the opportunity to pick up free information about depression, anxiety and staying well, and talk to the beyondblue team and local services about what support is available.

Manningham’s Healthy City Plan 2013 – 2017 identified mental wellbeing as a priority, with statistics showing that 20 per cent of the population have had a mental disorder in the last 12 months.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Paul McLeish said Council is committed to enhancing the mental wellbeing of residents by encouraging social inclusion, participation, education and employment opportunities, and access to services.

“The beyondblue bus provides a relaxed and friendly setting for residents to chat and learn more about mental health, with a lot of free information on offer.”

In addition to beyondblue and Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local, the beyondblue bus is partnering with NEAMI National, Manningham Neighbourhood Houses, Whitehorse Manningham Libraries, Manningham Arts Centre, Manningham Community Health Service, Doncare, Australian Autism Association and more.

For more information, visit beyondblue or our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Community Safety Month is held every October and reminds us that we all have a role to play in keeping our community safe.

Whilst COVID-19 restrictions have prevented face to face activities, Manningham Council and safety partners have developed online content to share throughout the month.

Everyone in Manningham should feel and be safe in their homes or when out in our community.

Whilst Manningham continues to be one of the safest municipalities in metropolitan Melbourne, we acknowledge people may not feel safe due to other issues impacting their wellbeing.

You can report a non-urgent crime, including COVID-19 breaches by calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Please call 000 for police, ambulance and fire services if you need urgent help.

You can watch this video from our local Victoria Police Crime Prevention Officer Carla Reardon to learn some important tips for staying safe in the home and while you are out and about.

Issues such as family violence, drugs and alcohol, gambling, mental health and homelessness can impact anyone, at any time in their lives, and these issues can often be linked. It’s important to note that while some of these issues can be a contributing factor to family violence, it is not the cause. There is no excuse for any type of violence.

We have developed the Manningham Wellbeing Support Card. The card includes key contacts for family violence, drugs and alcohol, gambling, mental health and homelessness support services. Find out more about our Wellbeing Support Card.

Council has a vision to create a safe, healthy and inclusive community that is free from violence. 

At the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Manningham Mayor, Cr Andrew Conlon said Council was committed to working on preventing family violence as a community leader. 

“Family violence can happen to anyone, regardless of sex, can take on many forms and knows no socio-economic or cultural boundaries,” he said. 

“Although it happens overwhelmingly to women and children, it is also a significant issue for young people, seniors and our LGBTI communities.”

During the 16 day period, landmarks across Victoria will be lit up in orange, the colour designated to the Victoria Against Violence campaign.

Cr Conlon said gender-based abuse was not limited to physical violence but come in many forms including emotional, financial, verbal and psychological abuse. 
 
“Although this 16 day campaign highlights action against gender-based violence, it is something we need to support everyday,” he said.  

The campaign begins on 25 November, White Ribbon Day and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day, emphasising that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. 
 
 

The number of homeless people is growing in our suburbs and COVID-19 has further impacted the vulnerability of those who sleep rough without a safe place to call home.

Manningham is among 13 eastern and south eastern councils uniting to address homelessness with a best practice guide launched during Homelessness Week, the Housing First for People Sleeping Rough Practice Guide for Local Government.

According to the ABS 2016 Census*, on any given night pre-COVID-19, more than 116,000 Australians and almost 25,000 Victorians were homeless, including 7,490 across the 13 municipalities and 220 in Manningham.  

In 2019, Manningham and the other councils formed the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter Group to end homelessness and advocate for more social housing. The 2016 Census found 32 per cent of Victorians without a home lived in this region.

Led by Monash Council, the Charter Group Councils recognised the growing need for suburban and local government advocacy for our most vulnerable through improved supports and more permanent and safe housing.

The municipalities include Bayside, Casey, Cardinia, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Kingston, Manningham, Monash, Maroondah, Mornington Peninsula, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.

Housing First for People Sleeping Rough Practice Guide for Local Government acknowledges homelessness is a complex issue requiring a triage of support including mental health, but the first step needs to be providing a safe and secure home.

The guide outlines the problem and possible solutions based on current best practice. It draws on evidence-based research about the value of social housing across the local government sector and communities, with an emphasis on the ‘Housing First’ model.

Housing First is based on consumer choice, harm minimisation, human rights and collaboration. It relies on adequate housing supply and coordinated support services.

Manningham is advocating for systemic change to improve the supply of permanent, safe, appropriate and timely housing for those who need it, and to embed Housing First as a key foundation principle.

We believe by working together with other councils enables us to share ideas, develop best practice protocols, resources and set benchmarks.

As the closest level of government to the community, we are well-place to provide ground-level services and make a difference.

Homelessness Week is an opportunity to reflect on what having a home means and what it might be like for those who are homeless. If there’s one thing that COVID-19 has highlighted, it is the importance of a home for everyone.  

For more information social housing in Manningham, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/social-housing-and-homelessness

16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is a global campaign that takes place annually between 25 November and 10 December and highlights the need for all of us to help prevent all forms of gender-based violence.

The 16 days were chosen as they take place between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and International Human Rights Day.

The campaign highlights the important role we all have in preventing gender based violence for a safe, respectful and inclusive community. Gender inequality is the key cause of violence against women. Intimate partner violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness for Australian women aged 18 to 44 years. This violence is usually committed by men, a current or former partner in the home. Family violence can happen to anyone, from any background.

At Manningham, we’re committed to preventing all forms of violence and support Respect Victoria’s local campaign which encourages us to call out sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women.

Gender Equity Victoria and VicHealth have helpful resources to help you to stand up to harassment online or to take action on sexist and sexually harassing behaviours. Visit these links to find out more.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 000 and ask for the police. For non-urgent support please contact:

Safe Steps Response Centre Victoria's 24/7 family violence response centre. 1800 015 188

The Orange Door Supports adults, children and young people 1800 319 355

1800 RESPECT National 24/7 service 1800 737 732

EDVOS Specialist family violence service in the Eastern Region 9259 4200

Doncare Community Services Counselling/crisis support for women and children 9856 1500

Eastern Centre against Sexual Assault (ECASA) Support for victims of sexual assault 9870 7330

W/Respect LGBTIQA+ family violence service 1800 542 847

Men’s Helpline free 24/7 support, referrals & counselling services for men via telephone, online and video 1300 789 978

For more information on 16 Days of Activism visit the Respect Victoria website.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to end gender-based violence and promote gender equity. This global campaign takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). 

The campaign raises awareness about the impacts violence against women have on their physical, psychological, social, sexual, financial and spiritual well-being.

While family violence is experienced by both men and women and people of all backgrounds, cultures and abilities, it’s clear men and women do not assault each other at equal rates or with equal effect. Around 95 per cent of violence, whether women or men, experience violence from a male perpetrator. Experiences of violence are also gendered, with men subjected to violence mostly from men in public space, and intimate partner violence happens more often to females from men they know in their own home. Women are also far more likely than men to experience sexual violence and violence from an intimate partner, and with more severe impacts. 

Regardless of gender, violence against anyone is unacceptable. As a community, we must address the underlying cause of violence against women – gender inequality.

We are calling on the community of Manningham to join us to promote, advance and champion the human rights of women and girls. 

What can you do?

This year's theme is #HearMeToo, which features the voices of family violence. By hearing the powerful stories, we learn about the impacts of violence and what we can do to prevent gender-based violence.

You can get involved and learn more about this campaign in a number of ways:

• Follow us on social media to learn more about 16 Days of Activism. Remember to also share this among your networks.
• If you have children aged two to five, visit storytimes at Whitehorse Manningham Libraries, where we share stories that present both boys and girls with the message that their futures are not limited or predetermined by their gender. 
• Promote equal and respectful relationships between men and women and build cultures of respect and non-violence. This can be done by:
  • Challenging the justification and disregard of violence against women.
  • Promote women’s independence and decision making.
  • Challenge gender stereotypes and roles.
  • Strengthen positive, equal and respectful relationships. 

Help and advice

If you are experiencing family violence, please know there are organisations that can offer support. 

• National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence hotline – 1800RESPECT (1800 015 188) 
• Lifeline 13 11 14 
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – 1800 015 188
• Doncare 9856 1500
• Eastern Domestic Violence Service 9259 4200
• Victims of Crime Helpline – 1800 819 817
• Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
• Switchboard Victoria – 1800 184 527
• Parentline – 13 22 89