Back row (L-R)
Cr Dot Haynes, Mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos, Cr Stephen O’Brien, Cr Meg Downie, Cr Geoff Gough, Cr Paul McLeish
Front Row (L-R)
Cr Michelle Kleinert, Cr Jennifer Yang, Cr Sophy Galbally

Manningham Mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos achieved one of his childhood ambitions when he was elected a Manningham councillor in November 2012 and 12 months later when he became the City’s first mayor of Greek heritage.

Cr Grivokostopoulos’ parents moved to Australia from Greece in 1965, with the family originally settling in Collingwood (with young Jim attending Victoria Park Primary School), before moving to Clifton Hill, Reservoir and then to Bulleen in 1997.

“I realised early on that I wanted to be involved in Local Government and I remember meeting the first Australian Greek mayor, the late Theo Sideropoulos, at my parent’s citizenship ceremony in Collingwood in 1977.

“It was there and then I decided that one day I would like to be a Councillor and Mayor.”

The City of Manningham includes the suburbs of Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Nunawading (part), Park Orchards, Ringwood North (part), Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Warrandyte, Warrandyte South and Wonga Park and is located 12 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, at the gateway to the stunning Yarra Valley.

Establishing his own home in Manningham in 1997, Cr Grivokostopoulos believes Manningham is the perfect place to raise a family and he is committed to working with his team to improve the City for future generations.

“Manningham stands out from other local government areas with its vast open spaces, community diversity, low density residential zone protection and its ability to break down barriers and create friendly neighbourhoods.

“It brings together a unique combination of cosmopolitan city and country lifestyles and with more than 300 parks, gardens and reserves, has one of the largest networks of open space in metropolitan Melbourne.

“Council’s vision is for a city with a strong economy, a diverse natural and social environment and an inclusive and community that values the contribution of people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Being Mayor I am in the fortunate position to be able to meet people from across the city and I appreciate the opportunity to work with the community to ensure their needs are met now and into the future.

“I want to carry on the fine work of my predecessors and maintain the wonderful legacy of a community that is diverse, tolerant and inclusive.

“Manningham is a great place for all families, the elderly, community groups and local business. That is the Manningham way of life that I have come to love and the one that I would like to hand on to future generations,” he said.