Young musicians from across Manningham took to the stage on Saturday 7 November for the inaugural ManningJAM Youth Fest, bringing together students, families and the community for a day of music and performances.
Held at the East Doncaster Secondary College Performing Arts Centre, the festival featured performances by students from local primary and secondary schools and music organisations.
Organised by Rotary Manningham City and the Rotaract Club of Whitehorse, with support from the Interact Club of East Doncaster Secondary College, ManningJAM was created to give young musicians an opportunity to showcase their talents, gain stage experience and share their love of music.
The morning's Primary School Showcase provided a non-competitive environment for younger performers, featuring piano, singing, drumming and group performances.
The afternoon's Secondary School Competition brought together nine acts, ranging from solo performers to ensembles and rock bands.
Recognising outstanding performances
Three judges assessed the secondary school performances on five criteria: musicality, organisation, originality, audience engagement and energy.
Creased Jays from Templestowe College won the Judges' Choice Award, while Grace Forster from CK Singing School and Ashton Lockwood from Leaders of Rock Music School were named equal runners-up.
The audience also had a say, voting with tokens for their favourite act. The People's Choice Award went to Off Tempo from Leaders of Rock.
All performers received Certificates of Participation in recognition of their involvement.
Participating schools were also presented with $300 gift vouchers for their performing arts programmes, recognising their contribution to the festival and supporting music education in the community.
From an idea to reality
The idea for ManningJAM began with a question raised at a regular Rotary Manningham City meeting: could the club organise an event that would give local young people an opportunity to showcase their musical talents?
What followed was months of planning and collaboration between members of Rotary Manningham City and the Rotaract Club of Whitehorse.
Young people were involved in shaping the event, from developing its name and logo to helping with promotion, planning and activities on the day.
The organising committee worked closely with schools, music organisations and families to bring together the performers and coordinate the many aspects of staging a live music event.
A celebration of young talent and community spirit
While the afternoon competition recognised outstanding performances, ManningJAM was ultimately about participation, encouragement and giving young musicians a platform to shine.
The event also demonstrated the value of bringing together different generations of volunteers, with Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors working alongside one another to create something for the community.
The inaugural festival was made possible through the dedication of its organising committee and volunteers, the generosity of sponsors and supporters, and the involvement of participating schools, music organisations, teachers and families.
ManningJAM received financial support through Manningham Council's Community Grants program and from Bendigo Bank. This funding, together with the contributions of other sponsors, the organising committee and volunteers, helped make the inaugural festival possible.
Above all, ManningJAM was a celebration of the musical talents of Manningham's young people and the community spirit that helped bring them together.
Editor's Note
Manningham Life was a sponsor of ManningJAM Youth Fest 2026. Its editor and publisher, Stella Yee, is also a member of Rotary Manningham City and was actively involved in initiating, organising and delivering the event.
