Giving out of Abundance
变现为保 dare e condividere دادن و به اشتراک گذاشتن देना और बांटना δίνοντας και μοιράζοντας
Latest Issue →
Giving out of Abundance
变现为保 dare e condividere دادن و به اشتراک گذاشتن देना और बांटना δίνοντας και μοιράζοντας
Latest Issue →Highlights
Hello from the Editor
WELCOME to the seventh issue of Manningham Life.
We had a terrific response to our sixth issue — thank you to everyone who contacted us with more stories about life in Manningham in the 60s and 70s. We will feature their stories in a future issue. In this issue, our cover story is about giving, the act of kindness many of us are doing already. I came home one day to find a bag of persimmons at my front door, and it was such a lovely surprise. After a few calls, I discovered my neighbour down the road was the thoughtful and generous giver. Buy Nothing Manningham is a platform to facilitate giving within our community, and their story is on page 4. We are very lucky that the innovative Templestowe College is right here on our doorstep. The school operates like a mini university, with students choosing their own electives from an array of exciting courses. One such elective is Working with Animals, and we have the story on page 5. We also have many talented people in our midst, and on page 7, we have the story of pianist Elyane Laussade. Our website is live, and we are delighted to provide the option to translate our articles to the most spoken languages in Manningham: Mandarin, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Hindi and Persian. We endeavour to connect as many residents in our community as possible, so please let your family and friends know. If you would like us to add more languages, please get in touch with us at 0490 116 552. Finally, we are very grateful to the local businesses that have supported our magazine through advertising in the past year. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to sustain a local publication. If you enjoy reading Manningham Life and are in a position to support us with a $50 or $100 contribution, it will help to ensure we can continue to print 20,000 copies per issue. Without support, we might have to reduce the print run or become an online publication only. I love the printed word and will do everything I can to continue to print, but we also have to contend with financial realities. And if you have an advertising background and would like to contribute your expertise to Manningham Life, we would love to hear from you. Hope you enjoy reading this issue. Stella Editor
Cover Story
Buy Nothing Manningham
By Hayley Williams I first heard of the Buy Nothing Project (BNP) through a local community page. The BNP originated in the U.S.A. and aims to build community through developing local gift economies. According to the BNP, a gift economy “means everything shared on Buy Nothing is given freely, no money, no barter, no strings." Members can make three types of posts: “Gifts” of things that others could use; Requests (“Asks”) for things they may need; and “Gratitudes” to express thanks or appreciation. Community Builders support each local group by offering help, guidance and creative challenges, as well as reminding members to follow the Community Guidelines published by the BNP. After reading the BNP manifesto I was captivated. The idea of buying less and sharing more – knowing it makes us all richer and the planet cleaner – really resonated with me. Once I joined and learnt more, I came to appreciate that this was a powerful way to build community with my neighbours. The beauty of the BNP is connecting with like-minded individuals with similar values: community, trust and kindness. During the past two years, this group made me feel less isolated and alone. When we couldn’t move around to gift non-essential items we shared recipes, well-being posts and positive topics. I’m so grateful for this group through that difficult time. Beyond the fantastic individual gifting economy we have built, our members facilitate larger giving projects. Each year we collect unwanted bed linen and blankets for animal shelters. This year, eight extra-large boxes have been collected, with more to come. Following the damaging storm event last year, we ferried several car-loads of gifts to our friends in the hills. Everything from hot water bottles, winter clothing and sleeping bags to groceries and art supplies were donated. I was so proud to be part of such a generous and caring community. We also supplied quality preloved items to support and show care for a person who was homeless and had their belongings stolen. Rising food costs prompted me to share a soup recipe for those who hadn’t made soup before. The response was surprisingly positive and I have been sharing other recipes. We are also working with one member to start a soup swap for anyone who wants homemade soup at any time. It is such a gift to find a space to care for others in such a practical way. Often members ask for ideas of support services for different circumstances and there is a wealth of knowledge shared. Gardening tips, seeds and cuttings are quite frequently shared. We believe there is enough in our surplus for the needs of our community. I can only imagine the scale of items saved from going to landfills. Donating to charities is great, but the BNP brings you closer to the recipient of your gift and you know it is going to someone who wants it. Eventually, we would love to see BNP groups sprout in all postcodes in Manningham, as well as some adjoining postcodes which we currently cover. I have been pleasantly surprised by how undemanding it is to participate as a Community Builder, particularly for the reward I receive by witnessing the altruism and humanity of my neighbours. I’m sure that my role is made easier by the incredible work of my fellow Community Builder, Georgie! I would recommend trying this group to feel more connected to your local community. For more info, please visit Facebook: Buy Nothing Manningham, VIC Website: buynothingproject.org
Local School
Working with Animals
By Andrew McFarland It would be hard to find a teacher who is more proud of his students and more enthusiastic about his subject matter than Duncan Sadler, teacher of the Working with Animals Programme at Templestowe College. You would also be hard-pressed to find students more proud of their work in this unique elective programme right here on our doorstep in Manningham. When this Manningham Life reporter was invited to sit in on one of Duncan’s classes with his amazing students, he knew he was in for a unique experience. Working with Animals is an elective available to students from Years 7 to 12 at Templestowe College. Students learn fundamental life skills such as leadership, personal challenge, communication and teamwork. At the same time, they can pursue their love for animals, learning excellent animal husbandry skills as well as conservation and the environment. Students leave their seniority behind when they join the programme – a Year 11 or 12 student may find themselves under the supervision of a more experienced Year 9 or 10 students. Now that’s leadership skills! The responsibilities don’t end during the school holidays. These dedicated students attend to the needs of their animals every day, who, in turn, clearly appreciate and love their human carers. Duncan is particularly proud of the hands-on nature of the programme; students take full responsibility for the welfare and care of a wide range of animals, from fish and reptiles to birds, rabbits, farm animals and native wildlife. These skills can lead to a career in wildlife management, zoos, vets and other animal carer roles. The RSPCA and other organisations committed to the welfare of our animals are regular visitors to and supporters of the programme. Students even find themselves getting ‘head-hunted’ by external organisations to go and work for them. Ultimately, the dedication and pride of the students blew this reporter away. While a fantastic experience, the animals in their care are intelligent and demanding. Just try walking two feisty alpacas, a sheep and two goats around the college grounds! Talk about comedians! The 3 Stooges have nothing on these guys. When Loki the hand-raised sheep demands a treat from you – just say yes, or he may just help himself from your pocket! But then, how many students get the chance to cuddle and care for a native Australian Sugar Glider?
Manningham Council Report
April to May 2022
By Alexander Owens May brings with it a change in weather and a change in Federal Government, and continuing meetings of Manningham’s councillors. A draft budget for FY22/23 has been endorsed and greater environmental action has been promised, and Council begins to make right on earlier missteps. Four years ago, 38 properties around Hillcroft Drive were erroneously included in a flood overlay, potentially causing property valuation and insurance concerns for owners. The owners grouped together and fought to have the overlay amended, and April’s meeting finally saw Council move to amend the overlay. The change will not be instantaneous and will take six months for the State Government sign-off. At the end of last year, a change in Manningham’s four-year grants saw neighbourhood house funding effectively cut due to the grants no longer funding administrative costs. In May, this funding was partially restored with an $80,000 adjustment ensuring each of Manningham’s five neighbourhood houses receives $50,000 a year. Council officers will further review how best to fund these community organisations, ensuring they can continue to deliver valuable community services, education and local employment. May’s meeting closed with a sincere acknowledgement by Mayor Kleinert of Council’s unsatisfactory consideration of community voices in its Macedon Square Upgrade design process. Stating that the current plan, endorsed by Council, “does not include enough of the community’s wishes”, Kleinert emphasised the importance of taking feedback into account as she announced further community consultation sessions and an extended consultation period. In December 2020, Manningham Council declared a climate emergency, a symbolic motion which endorsed further action to reduce Manningham’s emissions and waste and implement environmentally conscious strategies. April and May saw Council continue to make decisions that would improve Manningham’s environmental standing. In line with State Government requirements, Manningham will introduce Food Organic and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins in July 2023, which food and garden waste can be disposed of in. Supporting the change, Council will collect FOGO bins weekly and provide ratepayers with a kitchen caddie and a year of biodegradable bags but will be reducing landfill (red) bin pickup frequency to fortnightly. Research suggests that half of household waste is food and organic and so this change in frequency will encourage residents to use their FOGO bins and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. However, Crs Anna Chen and Stephen Mayne expressed slight concern about the reduction in the frequency of red bin collection. In a positive move, Manningham will sign a new energy purchase agreement to bulk-buy wind energy with 47 other councils at a lower rate than currently provided, ensuring all council buildings are supplied by renewable energy. Council operations are on track to be net-zero by 2028 as set in an October 2021 target. Manningham’s goal of seeing the entire City reach net-zero emissions by 2035 is more ambitious. To support this, a Climate Emergency Action Plan was endorsed for public consultation in April. This Plan was developed with Ernst and Young (EY) consultants, and their report should be accessible to the public shortly. No financial commitments have been made as of yet, but this Plan will inform Council budgets and policy moving forward. Notably, the introduction of FOGO bins will result in a reduction of household emissions as organics in landfill emit significant levels of methane. The past two months were not devoid of spirited debate, with Councillors splitting over a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP). May’s meeting opened with pointed questions from residents who had not seen or been able to engage with public consultation, which was advertised on social media, vets and in dog parks for six weeks earlier this year. The DAMP proposed a controversial pilot program for cats to be confined to the property of their owner. Many Victorian councils have implemented cat confinement or curfews, or soon plan to, as free-roaming cats can often pose a threat to wildlife and other cats, and trespass onto private property. Though Council officers and a majority of 344 community respondents supported a cat confinement pilot, councillors debated at length whether this was too extreme. Crs Anna Chen, Geoff Gough and Carli Lange unsuccessfully supported an alternative cat curfew (dusk until dawn), with the 6 other councillors supporting confinement. Divisions came from confusion over a false implication that cats would have to be caged (they would not), and that cats and dogs were being treated unequally, despite dogs not being permitted to free-roam. Cr Andrew Conlon strongly supported confinement as a cat owner, citing positive health outcomes for indoor cats and revealing a past outdoor cat of his had sadly been run over. The 100-page 2022/23 budget is currently out for consultation, and residents are encouraged to review the document which details spending priorities. Council plans a record $62m capital works program, and most councillors advocate even greater spending. Cr Conlon cautioned that the budget optimistically assumes a 2.5% inflation rate – half of the current headline CPI rate. The enthusiasm of Council could soon be tampered by approaching economic pressures.
Local Resident
Musical and gourmet magic on our doorstep
By Beth Klein Tucked away in a side street in East Doncaster a cultural banquet of music and food is taking place. Elyane Laussade presents Studio Laussade, a series of intimate recitals held five times a year in her Greendale Road home. It might sound unusual, and it is, but Elyane assures it is a joyous celebration and “close-up evening of classical music and delicious food.” Elyane is a successful concert pianist who has played around the world. She is also an accomplished and self-confessed foodie and her banquets are a gift to her fellow music lovers -it’s all included in the ticket price. Her most recent recital on the 28 May featured emerging artist, baritone and Melbourne Conservatorium Honours student, Alex Owens. The evening included a variety of music and songs from Rachmaninov, Glanville-Hicks, Mahler, and a solo piano piece from Ravel. Sparkling wine is served on arrival and everyone is invited to Elyane’s buffet ‘party’ afterwards. On this occasion, the menu included stuffed mushrooms, baked brie with flaked almonds, marinated barbecued lamb, ratatouille, potatoes gratin, couscous salad and more. Elyane has a natural gift for piano but it has come with years of study and hard work - she still practices between four to six hours a day. Born in Houston Texas to a French mother, Elyane speaks fluent French, and an American father, she and her siblings studied piano from an early age. Elyane recognised at 5-years-old, “there was just never anything else I wanted to do.” After studying music at Houston University, she went on to do her masters at the Juilliard School in New York – one of the top conservatories in the world. Elyane likens it to a tertiary version of the fictional school in the FAME movie and TV series. She was later invited and paid to do her Doctorate at Rutgers University in New Jersey. It was in New York, where competition for concert work was fierce, where the original idea for her home-based recitals began. She vividly recalls the idea suddenly coming to her while rowing on the lake in Central Park, "I could be the musical gourmet". She came up with the idea to cook and perform in people’s (i.e. wealthy New Yorkers) homes. She started a business and before long was cooking 8-course sit-down dinners and while the last course was being served, she would change into her performance gown and play a “concert from a musical menu”. She recalls, “it was exhausting and a lot of work but loads of fun”. In 1992 she auditioned for the Sydney International piano competition and was invited – expenses paid, to audition in Sydney. Unfortunately, of 260 pianists from 44 countries only 40 were selected and Elyane missed out. The trip however was by no means unsuccessful. Her piano of choice was a Yamaha and the representative had a certain charm she could not resist. “He and I hit it off,” she recalls. “He not only tuned my piano but gave me a couple of children.” When she returned to New York he followed, they married and moved to Melbourne in 1996, her husband’s hometown, to raise their children. She said, “I wanted my child[ren] to have something really beautiful, peaceful and safe”. In 2008 while living in Mont Albert she began her home recitals. Elyane has been living in East Doncaster since 2011, where she continues her Studio Laussade, playing breathtaking music and cooking delicious buffets for guests, between other performances, teaching piano and adjudicating. Elyane’s story is fascinating, and she has penned an autobiography – a COVID lockdown project, which she hopes will be published soon. Visit Elyane online at https://elyanelaussade.com.au/ to subscribe to her mailing list or follow her on Facebook for upcoming events.
In The News
Election results for the seat of Menzies
By Ian Keese All of Manningham is located in the seat of Menzies, named after Sir Robert Menzies, a long-serving leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Australia in the 1950s and 1960s. For many years Menzies has been considered a safe Liberal seat, but this year Labor came very close to taking it from the Liberals. After preferences were distributed, the difference was only 1,377 votes out of 101,019 formal votes or 1.3%. Of the seven candidates on the ballot paper, the majority of votes went to: Liberals (Keith Wolahan) 42,526 42.10% Labor (Naomi Oakley) 33,635 33.30% Greens (Bill Pheasant) 14,289 14.14% When preferences were distributed, almost all the Greens’ votes went to Labor. At the same time, the Liberals picked up votes from some of the minor parties. People will argue over the reasons for this swing again the Liberal Party in Menzies, but two factors that could have played a part were: having a new Liberal Candidate, Keith Wolahan, replacing the long-serving Kevin Andrews, as well as a general move across the country against the Liberal Party. If you go to the Australian Electoral Commission website and the 2022 Federal Election, you can get detailed figures for each polling place. Liberal votes were strongest in Bulleen, Doncaster and parts of Doncaster East, Park Orchards, Templestowe Park and Templestowe West. Labor votes were particularly strong in Box Hill, Box Hill North, parts of Doncaster East, Templestowe Heights, Warrandyte and North Warrandyte. “I want to thank our community forgetting your trust in me. With a great sense of humility and duty, I will give my all to be your representative.” - Keith Wolahan, new MP for Menzies