News

Meet Independent Steve Manning in Yarrawonga this week

By Yarrawonga Chronicle

Oct 19, 2026

Wangarrata football coach and TAFE teacher, Steve Manning is the Community Independent candidate for Ovens Valley.

Community Independent candidate for Ovens Valley, Steve Manning, will spend Wednesday, October 21 meeting with residents, business owners and tradies across Cobram and Yarrawonga, listening to the issues affecting their livelihoods, families and communities.

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From shop-to-shop conversations with Yarrawonga retailers to an early-morning tradie breakfast and community meet-the-candidate events in Cobram and Yarrawonga, Mr Manning is making time to hear directly from the people who know their communities best.

He encourages anyone who cares about the future of their town to come along, introduce themselves and help shape the conversation about what regional communities need from their state representative.

His message is simple: What matters to you, what needs to change, and how can I help?

Mr Manning wants to understand the challenges facing local businesses, the pressures on tradies and working families, and the issues residents believe deserve greater attention from the Victorian Government.

“I'm not coming into these conversations assuming I have all the answers,” he said.

“I want to listen, understand what people are experiencing, and find out what would make a real difference.

“What do local businesses need to grow and keep employing people; what are the pressures facing tradies and families?

“What is working well in our communities, and where are people being let down?”

Mr Manning said that, if elected, he wants to be someone who listens, follows through and reports back honestly on what can be done.

His community-backed Independent campaign is built around the belief that regional communities deserve a strong, accessible and accountable voice in Parliament; someone who will work with local people and organisations to advocate for the things that matter, rather than simply tell communities what they should care about.

With Cobram and Yarrawonga forming an important part of the wider Ovens Valley electorate, Mr Manning is encouraging residents from across Moira Shire to come along, ask questions and share their experiences.

“Whether you're running a small business, working on the tools, raising a family or volunteering in your community, I want to hear your perspective,” he said.

“You don't need to be involved in politics to have something important to say about the future of your town.”