Mr Manning and his family moved to Wangaratta almost five years ago in search of community.
He will run as a “true community independent”, beholden to no political party and accountable only to the people of Ovens Valley.
“My family and I chose the Ovens Valley because we wanted to be part of a real community, and the past five years have shown me just how much this place has to give back when you lean in,” Mr Manning said.
“Whether it's in the classroom, on the footy field, or talking with people at the shops, I've spent years listening to what matters to the people here.
“I'm standing because I believe our region deserves a voice that's accountable to no one but the people who live here, and I want to help make sure every part of this community, our farmers, our small businesses, our young families, our older residents are heard.”
Mr Manning is a licensed electrical contractor of 30 years who moved into teaching and is now lead educator in electrotechnology at GO TAFE.
He is known as the former senior football coach of the North Wangaratta Football & Netball Club, where he built an inclusive, respectful club culture.
Mr Manning used his platform as coach to publicly stand against family violence and remains an active advocate for family violence prevention and a board member for Wangaratta-based mental health initiative Project 365.
Voices for Ovens Valley Inc. conducted extensive in-person and online surveying of more than 1,000 residents from across the Ovens Valley and held 11 events ‘listening posts’, including in Yarrawonga to hear from local people who shared what mattered most to them and their top priority issues.
