Co-convenors:  David Ellis and Fiona Mackenzie

Secretary: Monique Bassett

Email: manninghambranch@vic.greens.org.au

All telephone contact: 9844 5135

ABOUT OUR BRANCH

The Manningham-Warrandyte branch began meeting in 2005 and has since been formally convened. It is the local branch for Greens in the City of Manningham.

In the 2006 state election, the branch increased the local Greens vote by 48% - and in Warrandyte itself by 69%. Greens candidate David Ellis got 14.34% of the lower house primary vote in the seat of Warrandyte.

It would be nice to report that there was a magic formula for this, but it was just the usual slog by many willing Greens and supporters. A stall at the local market was a winner in getting new recruits, and doorknocking teams were invaluable.

Our local candidate for the larger 2007 federal election seat of Menzies was again David Ellis. The branch has continued to work hard and actively. We have produced and marketed a ‘Greens vest’, complete with embroidered logo, to spread the Greens message (yes, orders are invited). Recently we assisted the fish-resource group Native Fish Australia in a pilot program to trap and breed the Macquarie Perch, now endangered north of the Murray.

The branch is now gearing up for the Manningham local government elections in November 2008, where we plan to field a full ticket of candidates.

Right now we are putting the message out in general terms, recently working the crowd at Warrandyte Festival and Templestowe Festival (same day! Q. Does Melbourne have even one festival-free day in the year??

We continue with our series of open public meetings on issues like Iraq, Public Transport, Genetic Modification, Low-Carbon strategies and other themes from the Green agenda.

We are always interested to swap ideas with other branches and to hear from Greens and potential Greens/supporters. We meet monthly. Members, prospective members, supporters and 'just plain folks' are invited to contact the branch on 9844 5135.

The Local Government area that we cover is the Manningham City Council.

Our members come from the following localities; Bulleen, Templestowe, Doncaster East, Warrandyte, Wonga Park and Park Orchards.