On Saturday 7 November, Brian N attended a truly sensational Event - ManningJAM Youth Fest - organised by Rotary Manningham City and Whitehorse Rotaract and supported by the EDSC Interact Club at East Doncaster Secondary College Performing Arts Centre. The Primary Schools Showcase with 12 performances in the morning, the Secondary Schools Competition had 9 performances in the afternoon, all were brilliant. See photos and further info below.
As well as ManningJAM on the Saturday, there was also the Mayoral Black Tie Disco held at the Manningham Function Centre. It was a wonderful night and enjoyed by all the regulars who hit the dance floor and moved and swayed to the beats of DJ Angelo. Many dressed to the theme of black tie formal (as well as the Rotarians in attendance). The new Mayor of Manningham, Cr Carli Lange, gave a speech and welcomed everyone to the Event.
Well done once again to the Rotary Disco committee led by Luke Bastian and Sohrab Bhopti.
On Wednesday, our guest speaker was Chris Cahir, the Manningham Community Enterprises Manager from the Bendigo Bank branches of Doncaster East and Templestowe Village.
The Bendigo Bank, Doncaster East and Templestowe Village Branches have given $7.5M since its inception to the Manningham Community in grants and sponsorships. Rotary clubs in Manningham have been the recipient of $156,813 of that community contribution. A big thank you to the Bendigo Bank.
Chris asked us to consider banking with Bendigo Bank so that they can in turn help to support community needs.
On Saturday 7 November, Brian N attended a truly sensational event continued: In the competition the Winner was Creased Jays from Templestowe College, and the Joint Runners Up were Ashton Lockwood from Leaders of Rock, and Grace Forster from the CK Singing School. It was a real privilege to present the certificates and prizes to the performers in the afternoon on behalf of our Club, along with Deputy Mayor Andrew Conlon.
Both Events were a showcase of the musical talent of our young people and Rotary at work in our community. Huge thanks to the truly amazing Team from Rotary Manningham City, Whitehorse Rotaract, and EDSC Interact, and especially Stella Yee and Luke Bastian for initiating and making this event happen. Thanks also to the Manningham Council and Bendigo Bank for their financial support.
At one of our planning meetings late in 2024, several Rotaractors joined us to share their experiences at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). We had planning discussions that night and Stella Yee raised the idea of a music event in Manningham with the Rotaractors. And that's how the idea for ManningJAM came about.The team started work in late 2025 and started with coming up with the name ManningJAM, to running a logo competition, then developing the program, contacting schools, inviting performers, seeking funding and promoting the event. The outcome was amazing.
Black Tie Event - All Abilities Mayoral Ball at Manningham Function Centre was a great success. Fantastic dancing, beautiful food, many dignitaries including new Mayor Carli Lang, Deputy Mayor Andrew Conlon, Councillor Anna Chen
plus our Federal MP Gabriel Ng. Amazing evening, thanks to everyone involved who made this such a great Event especially Luke Bastian, Sohrab Bhopti, John Bennie, Barry Halpern, Karen Choo and our great MC Brian Tyedin.
It's great to see so many of our Members organising to - Fill the Box - for our Community in need. A special mention to Member Karen Choo who filled 10 boxes, wow thank you Karen. Our wonderful volunteers at our Rotary OP Shop also amazing, filling many boxes. Everyone please continue to support this important need.
