Meet Mann – The Digital Connector of Riverlea

When you think about what truly builds a community, it’s often the quiet efforts behind the scenes that make the biggest impact. For Riverlea resident Maninder (Mann Sidhu), that effort comes in the form of digital connection. As the creator and moderator of the Riverlea SA RESIDENTS Community Facebook Group, Mann has become the online heartbeat of this fast-growing neighbourhood, helping bring people together one post at a time.

Originally from Punjab, North India, Mann moved to Australia in 2013 as an international student. After completing his master’s degree in IT, he built a life in Adelaide, eventually settling into his very first home at Riverlea with his family – a place he proudly calls his dream come true.

“We found Riverlea by chance during a family trip. We saw the signs, looked into it, and once we viewed the masterplan, that was it,” he says. “We wanted space, a big block and somewhere our family could grow in a healthy, happy environment.”

Since moving to Riverlea in December 2024, Mann has watched the community flourish – not just in bricks, but in friendships, diversity, and shared purpose. He’s especially proud of how quickly the area has grown and the pride he feels each time he enters through Riverlea’s striking entry boulevard. “It’s beautiful – every day it feels like more and more like home."

But Mann didn’t just wait for the community to form, he helped build it. When he purchased his land in 2022 and found there was no local group yet, he took the initiative to create the Riverlea Community Facebook Group well before his home was even constructed.

He explains "I knew there would be a lot of people like us – new to the area, excited about what’s coming, but not sure who their neighbours were or how to get in touch.”

The Facebook group has since grown into a vital platform for everything from finding neighbours for sharing fence, lost pets and local business support, to neighbourly advice and event updates. For Mann, it's more than just posts and comments – it’s a space that reflects the heart of Riverlea: diverse, respectful, and united.

“I love how multicultural Riverlea is. We all come from different backgrounds, but we share a common goal to build something strong, together. It’s a very healthy and happy environment,” he says.

When asked what people might not know about him, Mann reflects for a moment before offering something simple, but powerful, “I just want people to give it time. Every culture is different. We’re all learning and growing. This place is something amazing and we have to continue to build it together, with positivity”.

For someone who quietly became the digital glue holding a new neighbourhood together, Mann’s impact is already clear. He’s not just building a life here – he’s helping others build theirs too.