Community leaders and friends of Nepal awarded in Australia

AUSTRALIA: Nepali Association Victoria NAV, the oldest Nepali Community Association in Victoria, Australia hosted the 4th Biannual Excellence Awards 2024 on Sunday celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations within the Nepalese community.

The biannual award is considered as the most inclusive and prestigious award. The function was attended by guests Liliana D’ambrosio, Minister for Environment of Victoria, Minister for Energy and Resources for Victoria., Evan Mulholland MP, Liberal Member for the Northern Metropolitan Region, Sue Bolton, Councillor for Merri-bek, Ms Bronwyn Halfpenny, MP, Member for Thomastown Lauren Kathage MP, State Member of Parliament for Yan Yean, Maria Vamvakinou MP, State Member of Parliament for Calwell, Vivienne (Viv) Nguyen AM, Chairperson, VMC, Consul of Nepal to Victoria- Nirajan Gauli, Manoj Kumar and Praveen Kumar various community leaders and communities’ members. The Minister Evan Mulholland and guests in their remarks lauded the role of NAV and its contribution for social cohesion and prosperity of the State and congratulated all the award recipients.

The awards were given to 34 different individuals and organisation in following categories. In his welcome remarks, President Prem Upreti highlighted the NAV roles and responsibility, milestone achievements and significance of awards. He thanked all the guests and everyone for their support to the organisation and welcomed the newly elected team of Dr Yakindra Timilsina. Dr Raju Adhikari, the founding president, shared his emotion in receiving the first lifetime achievement award and 30 years of organisation legacy and significance of this award in inspiring the future generation to volunteer work.

Following individual, and organisations were granted the award.

Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Raju Adhikari
Outstanding Community Leadership: Dr. Anupam Pokharel and Ms. Niru Tripathi.
Outstanding Community Organizations: Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria

Outstanding Business Leadership: Bhim Neupane Dr. Sarojini Maskey,

Outstanding Youth Leaders: Sasendra Gautam KC, Indra Adhikari
Outstanding Education Champions Award
Blue Lotus College and Chandler RTO
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Champions
MaxiMax Education and Migration Services, Expert Education and Visa Services and Grace International Education and Migration
Outstanding Volunteers Amrita Gurung, Shobha Poudel, Meena Malla Thakuri, Krishna Mahara] and Narayan Katuwal
Outstanding Contribution to Aged Care Sector -Rupa Sharma
Outstanding Contribution to Disability Sector Award: Amazing Parents
Outstanding Contribution to Mental Health Sector, Sunil Khadka
Outstanding Cultural Contribution to Art and Language Award: Sushil Chalise Samjhana Uprety
High Achievers in Sports and Music Award: Sagar Thapa
Outstanding NAV partner Organisation: Nepalese Neighborhood Community Incorporated (NNCI)

Friends of Nepal
Ms Bronwyn Halfpenny, MP, Member for Thomastown
Kathleen Matthews-Ward MP, State Member of Parliament for Broadmeadows
Vivienne (Viv) Nguyen AM, Chairperson, VMC”
Evan Mulholland MP, Liberal Member for the Northern Metropolitan Region”
Sunrise Children’s Association Inc. Australia (SCAI)
Academic Excellence: VCE: Bibidh Kafle
Academic Excellence: Master’s: Yobin Timilsena
Academic Excellence: PhD: Dr. Pramod Subedi
Outstanding Youth Leaders: Sasendra Gautam KC, Indra Adhikari
High Achievers in Sports and Music : Sagar Thapa
Outstanding NAV partner Organisation :Nepalese Neighbourhood Community Incorporated (NNCI)