1

Issue 13/01 17 May 2013

Friendship

Newsletter of Austral ia -Nepal Friendship Socie ty Inc. Canberra

From the editors’ desk

Namaste friends! The Editorial team is pleased to present

the May 2013 issue of the Newsletter of the Australia-Nepal

Friendship Society Inc. (ANFS) Canberra. Highlights of

this issue include a brief recollection of how the Society

began, major ANFS events during 2012-13 and interviews

with the Nepalese and Australian Ambassadors. We would

like to thank the contributors for their invaluable inputs.

The views expressed in these contributions are those of the

authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of

the Society and the Editorial Team. We welcome sugges-

tions and comments about this issue of the Newsletter and

they can be sent at info@anfscanberra.org.au.

(Children singing national anthems of Australia & Nepal, ANFS Dashain festival celebration, 20 Oct 2012)

In this issue

How ANFS began Page 2

Remembering ANFS pioneers no longer with us Page 3

Major events during 2012-13 Page 4

Interview with Nepalese Ambassador Page 6

Interview with Australian Ambassador Page 8

About Nepali language school Page 10

ANFS road ahead Page 11

2

The Canberra based Australia-Nepal Friendship Society was

founded in April 1982 by an intrepid group of Canberra resi-

dents with work or travel connections with Nepal and the small

(and possibly very homesick) group of Nepalese students based

in Canberra at that time.

An informal meeting was first held on 7 March 1982 at the

residence of Lindsay and Betty Brand in Grey Street, Deakin.

The Minutes from that meeting record 20 participants (see

names below) and a decision was taken to form a Canberra-

based “Society of persons interested in establishing and ce-

menting relations between the people of Australia and Nepal”.

An Ad Hoc Committee was formed at that meeting to draft a

Constitution for the proposed Society and to arrange a public

meeting to formally launch the Society. This public meeting

was held at a Black Mountain Peninsula BBQ on 4 April 1982,

attended by “approximately 60 interested people,” as noted in

the Minutes.

The name chosen for the Society (ANFS) has remained with us

till today. The Constitution drafted by the Ad hoc Committee

was adopted. The inaugural Executive Committee was elected

unopposed, which consisted of:

President: Mr. Micky Weatherall

Secretary: Mr. Sree Ram Lamichhane

Treasurer: Mrs. Kaye Weatherall

Members: Mr. John Draper

Miss Dorothy Brown

Mrs. Betty Brand

Mr. Jim Curtis

(The Weatheralls were residing in Cootamudra, NSW at that

time).

Annual membership fees were set at $7 for a family, $5 for

individuals (with an additional concessional rate of $3); and the

initial paid membership was 35.

The first official Function after the formal launch of ANFS was

held on Sunday 1 August 1982 at Cooinda Hut in the then Can-

berra College of Advanced Education (now University of Can-

berra). The Guest Speaker was Mr. Warwick Deacock, Honor-

ary Consul General of Nepal in Australia. There was a screen-

ing of the film “Kingdom of Discovery”.

The first Newsletter (edited by John Draper and Dorothy

Brown) is dated 4 July 1982. This Newsletter displayed the

newly created logo of the Society, with the “khukuri” and kan-

garoo combination representing Australia-Nepal connections in

a memorable way.

Another early event organized by ANFS was a meeting of

members with Sir Edmund Hillary who was visiting Canberra

around September 1982.

The first fund raising event of the Society was a Dinner on 31

October 1982, with the surplus funds pledged for relief of flood

victims in Sindhupalchowk district that reportedly claimed 114

lives that summer in Nepal. Funds were forwarded through the

Red Cross.

Notwithstanding this exemplary early effort to help Nepalis in

need in Nepal, the Minutes of the Executive Committee meet-

ing of 23 /09/1982 records a prescient statement that “...the

ANFS should primarily be concerned with the Nepalese com-

munity in Canberra at the moment”.

(I urge our current membership to contemplate if that

"moment" noted above has passed for good by now; or whether

that stated desire of the inaugural Committee to make ANFS

Canberra-focused is even more relevant today. As the Nepali

community in Canberra has grown rapidly, do we need to focus

more on helping each other here first, and also reaching out in

support of other Canberrans in need).

Persons attending the 1st informal gathering on 7 March 1982,

where the decision to establish ANFS was taken:

Betty and Lindsay Brand (the hosts), Kaye and Micky Weath-

erall, Anju and Shree Ram Lamichhane (and daughter Kenny),

TBS Mahat, Chiranjibi Upadhaya, Narendra Rasaily, Ilen

Price, S. Neupane, Yvone Webster, S.N. Maharjan, B.P. Arjel,

R.K Bista, John Draper, S. Draper, N. Draper, Lindsay Kenne-

dy, Lois Coleman and D. Robbins. (20 persons, including 3-

year-old Kenny Lamichhane)

Australia-Nepal Friendship Society, Canberra: It origins and a

tribute to the pioneers - Prem Jung Thapa

“The first Newsletter (edited by John Draper and Dorothy Brown) is dated 4 July

1982. This Newsletter displayed the newly created logo of the Society, with the

“khukuri” and kangaroo combination representing Australia-Nepal connections in

a memorable way.”

3

In memory of the ANFS Pioneers no longer with us - Prem Jung Thapa

John Draper (1955 - 1994)

John was born in and spent much of his childhood in Papua

New Guinea where he accompanied his parents on their many

travels to the frontier regions of PNG.

He completed his schooling in Melbourne and then graduated

from the University of Melbourne with degree in Political Sci-

ence (Honours). He moved to Canberra in 1981 where he

taught at the Bruce TAFE and then at the Canberra College of

Advanced Education. In Canberra began his encounter with

Anthropology which eventually led to his doctoral thesis field-

work in the mid-1980’s on the Sherpa community's traditions

of medical healing. His fieldwork was conducted in Thame

Village.

His dissertation was finished just before his untimely death

(from melanoma) and his doctoral degree was awarded posthu-

mously by the University of Sydney. He was married to Laurie

Zivetz who was working in Katmandu in the 1980’s.

Micky Weatherall (1909 - 1994)

Micky "Dai” was born in

India and his family had

for several generations

been living and working

in British India. His fa-

ther had retired to Dar-

jeeling and that is where

Micky Dai grew up and

learned to speak Nepali

and grow fond of Nepalis

and Nepal. After study-

ing in the UK he retuned

to work as an engineer

and eventually set up his

own engineering firm in

Patna. This is what took

him to Nepal to build

bridges and new high-

ways through several Indian and British aided projects, includ-

ing the Jhapa to Ilam Highway. He also worked to establish

new and rejuvenate old tea estates in Ilam. In Nepal he also met

Kaye. Though born in Sydney, Kaye worked with the British

Foreign Office for most of her career, and she was posted in the

British Embassy in Katmandu at that (right!) time.

Kaye and Micky retired to Australia in 1981, and they set up

the mustard oil milling business, “Yandilla” in 1985 near Wal-

lendbeen, NSW. Yandilla pioneered the growing of mustard in

this region and has developed an international niche market for

its high quality mustard seed oil. It is still being run by Kaye

and family.

Lindsay Brand, OBE (1916 -2010)

Lindsay was born and grew up in Melbourne. He attended

Scotch College on a scholarship and went on to complete a

First Class M.A. in

Mathematics and Eco-

nomics (in 1938 - long

before a mathematical

approach to Economics

became the fashion). He

had a stellar career in the

Australian public service,

working mainly in the

Australian Treasury. He

was appointed Secretary

of the Australian Loan

Council in 1954 and was

responsible for arranging

loans for Australia from

abroad. He traveled reg-

ularly to Zurich, Frank-

furt, London and New

York for these negotiations. He also served as Australian repre-

sentative on the Executive Board of the International Monetary

Fund in Washington D.C. between 1970 and 1975; and retired

in 1976.

During WWII, he was in the Royal Australian Navy and one of

the ships he served on was HMAS Nepal (a destroyer first

commissioned in the British Navy but handed to the RAN sub-

sequently). HMAS Nepal served in support of the Burma Cam-

paign and was also at Tokyo Bay soon after the Japanese sur-

render. Perhaps his time in HMAS Nepal developed his keen

interest in the country and people of Nepal.

Lindsay and Betty were married after the War in 1947, and

they were avid travelers all over the world but with a special

liking for their Nepal treks.

List of ANFS Presidents

1982-83 to 1994-95: Mr. Micky Weatherall

1995-96 to 1997-98: Mr. Mohan Pradhan

1998-99 to 2004-05: Dr. Krishna Hamal

2005-06: Dr. Pramod Adhikari

2006-07: Dr. Prem J. Thapa

2007-08: Dr. Hom M. Pant

2008-09: Dr. Amorattam Shrestha

2009-10 to 2010-11: Dr. Krishna Hamal

2011-12: Mr. Naresh Thapa

2012-13: Mr. Ramesh Paudel

(At Yandilla, 1990)

(At ANFS Silver Jubilee

Celebrations, Canberra, 2008)

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Major events during 2012-13 - Nabin Dahal

New ambassador welcomed, 2 June 2012

The newly arrived Ambassador of Nepal to Australia, H.E.

Rudra Kumar Nepal and his wife Mrs. Karuna Nepal were wel-

comed by and introduced to the members of ANFS over a BBQ

and lunch organised at Acton Park. The Ambassador thanked

all the members for the warm welcome.

Special general meeting, 9 September 2012

A Special General Meeting (SGM) was organised to discuss

two disputed issues of the draft constitution amendments which

were presented in the AGM on 19 May 2012. A closed ballot

was arranged to vote on the disputed issues of:

1. Tenure of executives and

2. Article 12.9 of the constitution (A person shall not be eligi-

ble to serve as President of the Society for more than two con-

secutive terms).

Both the proposals failed to pass in the SGM and the current

constitutional provisions remains unchanged.

Teej celebration, 15 September 2012

Female members of the Society celebrated Teej over dinner

with dance and singing of the Teej songs at Hughes Communi-

ty Centre Hall.

(Teej celebration 2012)

Dashain festival, 20 October 2012

The biggest festival in the calendar was celebrated with a for-

mal dinner and Nepalese cultural program performed by volun-

teers of the Society.

The program was attended by most of ANFS members, non-

members and diplomats from the Nepalese Embassy.

(Dashain 2012)

Deusi Bhailo program, 10 November 2012

Deusi Bhailo program was celebrated by playing Deusi and

Bhailo over Tihar. Dr. Krishan Hamal, Mr. Choodamani Sap-

kota, Dr. Hom M. Pant and H.E. Rudra Kumar Nepal hosted

the Deusi Bhailo program at their residence. The fund collected

from the program was decided to be used as seed money to

build ANFS office in Canberra.

(Deusi Bhailo program 2012)

New Year and Christmas, 15 December 2012

A BBQ was organised to celebrate Christmas and New Year

2013. The event was also used to welcome new members to

the Society and farewell members returning to Nepal after

completing their studies.

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Major events during 2012 - 13 (Continued)

Multi-cultural festival, 10 February 2013

ANFS, on an invitation from the ACT Government, participat-

ed in a three-day long multicultural festival program from Fri-

day 8 to Sunday 10 February 2013. The Nepalese show had

three Nepalese cultural performances by Nepali children and

performers. The cultural show was run by two school children

– Sapal and Sarick Chapagain. A Nepalsese food stall was run

by Mr. Surya Maharjan.

(Multi-cultural festival 2013)

Interaction program with new Ambassador of

Australia to Nepal, 5 April 2013

An interaction program was organised with the newly appoint-

ed Ambassador of Australia to Nepal, Mr. Glenn White. Vari-

ous national and international issues were discussed during the

program. The Ambassador of Nepal to Australia, H.E. Rudra

Kumar Nepal introduced Ambassador-Designate White to the

members present at the event.

(Australia’s Ambassador-Designate to Nepal, Mr. Glenn White

(centre) and H. E. Rudra Kumar Nepal, with ANFS members)

(From left Mr Glenn White, Australia’s Ambassador Designate

to Nepal & Mr. Rudra Nepal, Nepal’s Ambassador to Austral-

ia)

Nepalese New Year, 13 April 2013

BBQ and a potluck lunch were organized at Black Mountain

Peninsula to celebrate Nepalese New Year 2070. Several new

members were welcomed to the Society at the event.

Seminar programs, various dates

ANFS organised various seminar at ANU covering a wide

range of topics. The program was widely appreciated by the

community.

“The multi-cultural festival was a big

hit. Everyone loved the dances and

good food.”

6

Interview with his excellency Mr. Rudra Kumar Nepal, Nepal’s

Ambassador to Australia (April 2013)

Newsletter: Your Excellency, the Nepalese community in

Australia and Australian friends of Nepal are delighted to have

you as the Nepalese Ambassador to Australia. Could you

briefly tell us about your career and personal life prior to this

posting to Australia?

Mr. Rudra Nepal: I am also equally delighted to be here, and

would like to thank the Nepalese community and friends for the

warm reception extended to me since my arrival here last May.

As for my career, I have been with the Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs of the Government of Nepal since 1983. I have already

served in different capacities at our missions in India, Japan,

USA and Israel before coming to Australia as Ambassador.

I also have had the pleasant opportunity of doing my Graduate

Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from the ANU about two

decades ago, in 1993. In those days there were not many Nep-

alese students here in Canberra, and the local Nepalese com-

munity was also much smaller than what it is today. Things

have changed now.

Meanwhile, I am pleased to be here once again, and meet old

friends and refresh old memories, in a different capacity.

Newsletter: What are the main priorities of the Embassy of

Nepal to Australia?

Mr. Rudra Nepal: The Embassy is a diplomatic institution

which officially represents Nepal in Australia and endeavours

to promote Nepal’s interests in this country. Promoting tour-

ism, trade, foreign investment and technology transfer (all of

which could also be clubbed together as economic diplomacy);

generating goodwill, friendship and cooperation; protecting

the interests of Nepalese nationals; and public diplomacy are

among our priorities.

As the Nepalese community grows, consular services such as

passport renewals, document attestations, visa issuance are

also becoming more and more important. The Non-Resident

Nepalis (NRNs) have also emerged as a new element of in-

creasing significance to be dealt with by all our embassies

abroad. So these are all among our priorities.

Newsletter: By virtue of our location in the same city, there is

an opportunity for a close association between the Embassy

and the Australia-Nepal Friendship Society. What is your vi-

sion for how our mutual cooperation and interaction could be

enhanced?

Mr. Rudra Nepal: Being located in the same city is an ad-

vantage in itself. Even more so when the city is relatively

small, and the community not so big.

ANFS is one of the oldest such societies in this country. This is

a historic fact, and I appreciate the creative imagination and

vision with which this Society was established way back in

1982. I am glad that in spite of the limited resources at its dis-

posal, the Society has been extending its helping hand and sup-

porting various social development activities in Nepal in its

own modest ways.

Locally also, the Society is taking the lead in various communi-

ty programs such as sports activities, cultural performances,

observance of Nepalese festivals and special events of national

importance, participating in multicultural events, running of a

Nepali school for the children, organising interactive programs

occasionally with visiting officials and dignitaries, etc. We

appreciate all that, and extend our moral support to all such

creative and constructive social and cultural engagements.

As a diplomatic mission we are relatively new in Australia. We

opened our Embassy in Canberra only in 2007. The local Ne-

pali community has been very receptive, cooperative and help-

ful since the very beginning of our arrival here. And we have

close links with the ANFS also. We are glad about that. I have

a feeling that together we can work to enhance our national

identity, dignity and the level of our commitment to community

welfare in a more pragmatic manner in the days to come.

Newsletter: People-to-people relations between Nepal and

Australia are an important dimension of Australia-Nepal rela-

tions. What opportunities are there to expand and strengthen

this link? What is the Embassy of Nepal doing or planning?

Mr. Rudra Nepal: I said in the beginning that public diplomacy

is one of our priorities. The people-to-people relation you are

talking about is also a part of that. With the number of Nepa-

lese increasing in this country, the levels and frequencies of

our interactions also increase. In addition to Australian tour-

ists and mountaineers visiting Nepal, we also have Australian

youth volunteers who go to Nepal and work at various levels in

our societies. When they come back they return with a wealth

of practical knowledge and experience about our country, our

rich cultural diversity and about the warmth of friendship and

cordiality of the people of Nepal. All these would have a kind

of multiplier effect in terms of generating friendship, goodwill

and understanding towards our two countries and peoples.

Local Nepali media – both print and electronic – have also

been very helpful in promoting this in an important way. We

encourage community organisations to take advantage of this

ever-widening pool of goodwill and understanding and to en-

gage in more productive social and business interactions with

these well-wishers and friends of Nepal. From the Embassy we

also try our best to attend such community programs whenever

possible. (Continued to next page)

7

Interview with his excellency Mr. Rudra Kumar Nepal, Nepal’s

Ambassador to Australia (continued)

Newsletter: What would you personally like to see accom-

plished with regard to Australia-Nepal relations and activities

of the Nepalese Embassy during your term as the Ambassador

to Australia?

Mr. Rudra Nepal: Nepal is a developing, or rather a least de-

veloped country. Our development challenges are numerous.

Even basic services like primary health care and education are

rare in most parts of the country. We are still struggling to

meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In spite of

the many challenges, we have made good progress in some of

those goals. Australia is one of the most developed countries

in the world, and one of our important development partners.

We would like them to continue supporting our own efforts in

attaining those goals. Their offer of scholarships has been

very useful in the development of our human resources. In the

past Australian assistance in the area of community forestry

had been very successful. Our people remember that as a suc-

cess story in our development endeavour. I am trying to attract

the attention of the Australian side to some kind of similar de-

velopment projects in Nepal in the days to come. A technical

or vocational training institute to train our foreign-oriented

workers could also be of immense value to us.

Newsletter: It has been a year since you assumed your current

role as the Ambassador to Australia. How would you appraise

the first year of your current term?

Mr Rudra Nepal: Frankly speaking, it has been a kind of

learning experience for me. Australia is a huge country, a

commonwealth of six States and two Territories. Look at the

diversity of Australia in terms of nature, culture and resources.

Their federal system is already a century old, but it is still

evolving. Parameters of power sharing and resource alloca-

tion between the centre and the States are still being debated

here.

In Nepal we have been working to craft our own model of fed-

eralism suitable for our own social, economic, political and

topographical context. From that perspective also it is exciting

to be here and observe developments taking place in this coun-

try from close quarters including the day-to-day politics as

Australia also prepares for a general election later this year.

Newsletter: Do you have any special message to the Nepalese

community in Australia?

Mr Rudra Nepal: As we have just stepped into the Nepali New

Year 2070 BS, I would first like to extend my best wishes to all

the Nepalese community members in Australia for a very happy

and fulfilling year ahead.

The Nepalese community in Australia is known for its affabil-

ity, integrity and industriousness. It has now become an im-

portant component of a larger Australian multicultural social

mosaic.

The NRNs advocate a feeling widely held among the diaspora

community: ‘Once a Nepali, always a Nepali’. The Nepalese

community in Australia also carries this sentiment strongly. In

fact, it is my personal feeling that every Nepali heart beats with

the ideals espoused by the Buddha, one of the most brilliant

sons of Nepal, and rises to the height of the Sagarmatha (Mt.

Everest) in self-esteem and dignity. With this in the back-

ground, I would like to urge and encourage all the Nepalese

community members to continue to uphold the high ideals of

humanity and human values and contribute to the advancement

of the interests of our two countries and peoples as best as pos-

sible.

Newsletter: What would you personally like to get out of your

posting to Australia?

Mr Rudra Nepal: I have no personal ambitions as such. I was

born and brought up in a village called Pokharathok in Palpa

district. I went to a local school during my early childhood

years. I come from a rural family background, and I owe a

great deal to my parents and grandparents for the great sacri-

fice they made for our upbringing and education in a joint fam-

ily. But for them and their dedication and sacrifice, I wouldn’t

have become what I am today.

In my later life, having chosen diplomacy and Foreign Service

as my professional career, I am happy with what I have at-

tained so far. No personal grudges, and no unrealistic dreams

either! Having said that, however, I must add that I would like

to do more and contribute as much as I can for the benefit of

my country and community.

“No personal grudges, and no unrealistic dreams either! Having said that, however,

I must add that I would like to do more and contribute as much as I can for the ben-

efit of my country and community.”

8

Interview with Mr. Glenn White, Australia’s Ambassador-Designate

to Nepal (April 2013)

Newsletter: The Nepalese community in Australia and Aus-

tralian friends of Nepal are delighted to learn that you have

been appointed as the Australian Ambassador to Nepal. You

have previously served as Australian ambassador to Jordan,

and have been deputy head of mission in Baghdad and in Ri-

yadh. How will you bring to Nepal from these experiences in

the Middle East?

Mr. Glenn White: The Middle East is of course a much differ-

ent region from Nepal and its neighbourhood. Nonetheless, I

will continue to practice the diplomatic art of listening to what

government representatives and the people have to say about

their challenges and successes, and to communicate Austral-

ia’s support and views as required. My experience tells me

that the only real experts about a country and its people are the

communities which make up the nation as a whole. I also look

forward to identifying areas in which our two countries can

find mutual interest, be it business, policy or cultural.

Newsletter: Nepal has recently experienced a prolonged period

of unrest, and is currently struggling to establish its constitution

and democracy. You have previously worked with the Peace

Monitoring Group in Bougainville, and most recently as direc-

tor of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT’s)

Counter-Terrorism Cooperation Section. Could you comment

on this work and its application to the Nepalese situation?

Mr. Glenn White: I would consider Nepal to be further along

the path of peace and stability than was Bougainville when I

had the opportunity to serve there. While disappointing, the

political situation in Nepal is still finding its way, a more opti-

mistic approach is that the country and its political representa-

tives have covered a lot of ground in the last several years and

that dialogue continues to be pursued despite frictions between

players. It’s important the people of Nepal educate themselves

about their human and democratic rights, and engage those

rights through the ballot box and at all other times when the

opportunity presents to ensure their representatives remain

accountable. Australia and other friends of Nepal will contin-

ue to do what they can to support democratic evolution.

Terrorism is a global challenge that needs all countries to

work in concert to ensure their own citizens and law-abiding

visitors are not put at risk by the violence of a relatively ruth-

less few who follow an ultimately criminal and de-humanising

agenda.

Newsletter: What will be the main priorities of the Embassy of

Australia to Nepal when you begin your term?

Mr. Glenn White: I believe that the Embassy will follow a

business as usual approach following my arrival. Ambassador

Grace has been a good friend to Nepal and a strong advocate

for Australian perspectives within the country – I could not

aspire to a better strategic approach than hers. An enduring

priority will be ensuring our development assistance program

does the most good for the most people, and advocating pro-

gress on the country’s constitutional and democratic frame-

work.

Newsletter: As a well-established democracy, what role is Aus-

tralia playing to help institutionalise democracy in Nepal?

Mr. Glenn White: Australia is supporting the operation of the

Electoral Education and Information Centre, and our Australi-

an Electoral Commission has developed useful capacity devel-

opment links with the Centre’s staff in terms of education,

training and library services advice. Nepal also participated

in the February 2013 South Asian Civic Electoral and Voter

Education Forum which Australia sponsored with Bangladesh,

Bhutan, India and Thai representatives. Once Nepal has se-

lected a date for elections, Australia may be able to assist with

matters relating to the management of the event. Australia has

an interest in Nepal’s constitutional and democratic develop-

ment and will continue to observe the direction it takes.

Newsletter: People-to-people relations between Nepal and

Australia are an important dimension of Australia-Nepal rela-

tions. What opportunities are there to expand and strengthen

this link?

Mr. Glenn White: A lot of work has been done already by or-

ganisations like the ANFS and alumni groups in Australia and

Nepal – personal relationships and networks are enduring

mechanisms in bringing countries closer in cultural, political

and business fields. The number of Australians visiting Nepal

continues to rise with over 16,000 arrivals in 2012, and I look

forward to learning more about Nepal’s economic and social

environment to identify further ways to achieve mutual ad-

vantage.

Newsletter: What would you personally like to see accom-

plished with regard to Australia-Nepal relations during your

term as the Ambassador to Nepal?

Mr. Glenn White: Bit early to say apart from the stock answer

that Australia would like to be perceived by Nepal as a solid

development and strategic partner across a range of issues and

fora. I will take a particular interest in political developments,

and expect that a maturing democratic process will lead to an

economically stable and prosperous future for Nepal’s commu-

nities. (Continued to next page)

9

Interview with Mr. Glenn White,

Australia’s Ambassador-

Designate to Nepal (continued)

Newsletter: Do you have any special message to the Nepa-

lese community in Australia?

Mr. Glenn White: Look forward to meeting some of you in

Kathmandu when you travel – Australians of Nepalese de-

scent are in the unique position of knowing both our coun-

tries and their strengths. Your perceptions of the bilateral

relationship will be valued.

Newsletter: What would you personally like to get out of

your time in Nepal?

Mr. Glenn White: To learn more about a fascinating coun-

try and have the opportunity to not just visit as a tourist, but

experience the breadth of Nepal over my three year posting.

My wife Marianne and I hope to have the opportunity of

experiencing Nepal through the eyes and voices of its peo-

ple as we travel the country on business and pleasure.

International Nepalese students

at ANU - Binod Chapagain

The Australian National University (ANU), a leading univer-

sity of Australia, has been a popular destination of Nepalese

students. Currently, a total of 28 Nepalese students are pursu-

ing their postgraduate studies as international students at the

ANU. Out of them, 13 are Masters and 15 are PhD research

students. See graph below. Only five students are women.

Most of the students are AusAID funded students (71%).

These figures do not include the undergraduate students at the

ANU, students at the University of Canberra and the Canberra

Institute of Technology.

The students at ANU have been part of social activities in

Canberra. They have made valuable contributions to the ac-

tivities that ANFS has organised in Canberra, including partic-

ipation in the multi-cultural festival. In addition, they are rep-

resented on the Executive Committee of the Society. In the

2012 election of ANFS, a total of 4 students were elected to

the Society’s Executive Committee including the President.

ANFS office bearers 2012-13

President: Mr. Ramesh Paudel

Vice President: Mr. Binod Chapagain

Secretary: Mr. Nabin Dahal

Treasurer: Mr. Chudamani Sapkota

Public Officer: Mr. Shiva Raj Sapokota (since Sep 12)

Mr. Deependra Shrestha (May-Sep 12)

Members: Ms. Sue Salthouse

Mr. Prakash Prasain

Mr. Keshab Gautam

Mr. Pradip Adhikari

Mr. Yuvaraj Khaniya

Ms. Zeenat Burdick

Advisors: Dr. Krishna Hamal

Dr. Hom M. Panta

Mr. Naresh Thapa ANFS in Facebook

Australia-Nepal Friendship Society has opened an account

in Facebook. ANFS hopes this will boost communication

and sharing of information. If you are interested, please

visit

http://www.facebook.com/anfs.canberra/

Editorial team

Dr. Binod Nepal, Ms. Sue Salthouse, Mr. Sudeep Acharya

(Number of international Nepalese students enrolled at ANU

by Gender & Program)

10

Hamro Pathashala (Our School) - Nepali language school for

school-age children - Anita Shakya

Hamro Pathashala (Our School) is a Nepali language school for

school-age children, which has been fully functional since it

was opened in July 2011 by ANFS. It is a member of the ACT

Community Language Schools Association. The teaching ma-

terials and venue hire costs are covered by the ACT Govern-

ment’s community language schools grants. The classes are

run by volunteer parents. We have a flexible teachers’ roster

for each term. The Pathashala mainly focuses on teaching Ne-

pali language, culture and festivals. Recently, the Pathashala

gurubas/gurumas (male and female teachers) completed a ma-

jor three-month project in 2012-13 preparing three Nepali

workbooks tailored to beginner, intermediate and advance level

learners of Pathashala students.

Currently, 14 students are enrolled at the Hamro Pathashala.

These students are from pre-school to Year 6 and aged 5 to 12

years. The classes are run on Sundays from 9:30am to

11:30am during School Terms except for public holiday long

weekends. The Pathashala does not have a permanent venue.

Last term the classes were held at Griffin Centre and this term

at Western Creek Scout Hall. Parents or carers who wish to

enrol their 5-12 years old child in the Hamro Pathashala may

send an email at hamro.pathashala@yahoo.com. The classes

are free of cost. Ms. Punam Panta is the Coordinator and Ms.

Anita Shakya is the Principal of the Pathashala.

(Children learning at Hamro Pathashala)

“My experience in Hamro Pathashala has been great. I learnt

new things there and met some new friends. I got to tell a story

in Nepali in front of the class! We get some treats after class,

but only sometimes. Most of the time the gurubas/gurumas

teaches something that I already now, but that’s okay. The

thing that bothers me is that we keep on moving to different

venues. Once we were at Civic library and Australian Nation-

al University, which was kind of weird, but now we’re in the

Griffin Centre. My mum is the principal of the Pathashala, she

takes me and my brother there almost every Sunday” Karuna

Adhikari, age: 8

(Pathashala parents and students)

“I have been a student of Hamro Pathashala since it opened in

2O11. The Pathashala is awesome because I learn a lot of

stuff - writing, reading, Nepali culture and festivals & have fun

at the same time. All the parents are also teachers which is

excellent. We also go to other places like Floriade and camp-

ing.” Ayush Adhikari, age: 9

Recipe: Kaju Barfi - Kaavya Bhattarai, age: 10

I made Kaju Barfi, a sweet to

celebrate Mother’s Day. My dad

who is a Heart surgeon says that

it is better if you make it with

Glucose Powder. He says "it is

better than sugar" so I made it

with Glucose. If you decide to

follow my recipe, please use 8

spoons of glucose. You need

more glucose than sugar!

Please follow these steps: 1) In a bowl with three fourth cup

of water dissolve 3 tea spoons of sugar and bring it to boil.

2) In a pan melt the ghee and add this to the syrup. 3) Take

200 grams for cashews and grind it. 4) Add cashew nut

powder and mix it thoroughly to syrup prepared in first step.

5) Allow it to cool slightly. 6) Knead it well and roll it into

half centimetre thick rectangle. 7) Spread silver foil over

these and cut it into diamond shaped pieces of approximate-

ly one and half inch.

11

Australia-Nepal Friendship Society: the road ahead

- Ramesh Paudel

Background

The Australia-Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS) of Canberra is

one of the pioneer organisations for Nepalese communities in

Australia. ANFS is a non-political organisation, and involve-

ment of anyone who supports the values of the Society is high-

ly encouraged and appreciated. Since its beginning, members

of the Australian community have been involved in ANFS, and

we hope this will be continued in the future.

Focused activities of ANFS

The main objective of ANFS at its inception was to help Nepa-

lese students who were new to Canberra. But in many years

since 1982, the Nepalese community has grown almost 50

times bigger and the composition of Nepalese people is very

diverse. Now, not only students but also high level bureau-

crats, entrepreneurs, professionals and other white- and blue-

collar job holders from the Nepalese community reside here,

some of them temporarily and some permanently. The age

group is also diverse. It is estimated that the number of people

of Nepalese origin at any one time in Canberra is now more

than 500. Such a large, diverse community naturally expects a

wider range of activities.

The current Executive Committee, following the trend of past

Executive Committees, has conducted a range of focus activi-

ties during its tenure. Apart from this, we initiated the revival

of the Society’s Newsletter. We have also initiated the ANFS

Research Seminar series at the Australian National University

(ANU) focusing on research in a Nepalese context – interaction

with student communities, diplomatic missions and distin-

guished visitors from Nepal are particularly mentionable.

Challenges ahead

Struggle is an indispensable part of life not only for human

beings, but also for social organisations. A good struggle

makes an organisation able to face the challenges and progress

well. As an organisation, ANFS’s past is commendable. Its

historical strength and present role signals a bright future as an

organisation. However, to achieve this, we need to manage the

challenges on time, uniting the diverse community. As the

members of the community grow, it brings both opportunities

and challenges. The opportunity is that it brings strength in the

organisation if we are able to manage it properly. The chal-

lenge is that it is hard to meet the many different expectations

of all members.

ANFS needs to have fair dealings with all members, and im-

partial behaviour of its leadership; respect for the senior leaders

of the community; and non-political behaviour with members

enabling its leadership to face the challenges. The immediate

challenge I feel as the President of this organisation is repre-

senting the community over all. With the help of all members

in the community, we have made good progress on member-

ship during this tenure, but have still not reached many poten-

tial members residing in Canberra. In addition, we need to

specially think about how we can involve the teenagers from

our community in the organisation so that they will be in touch

with the cultural and social aspects of our activities. In addi-

tion, extending our relationship with the wider Australian com-

munity is another area of challenge which needs our attention.

As the number of students is increasing every year with the

size of the community, we need to think how to get them in-

volved in ANFS. We have experts in a wide variety of fields in

our Society, and if we can mobilize them well, they can be

valuable asset of ANFS, either to serve in our community in

Canberra or to serve our beloved nation-Nepal.

Road ahead

As a representative of Nepalese community and its supporters

in Canberra, and noting the growing membership, we need to

improve the quality of the programs that we routinely organise

and need to focus to diversify the programs' nature. To cover

the interests of heterogeneous groups in the Society, we need to

add many programs with new characteristics and features.

More members who actively participate are needed to maintain

the unity of the Society and make most of the community

members happy in the future. Sports, activities suited to vari-

ous age groups, cultural programs, seminars and intellectual

discussion and debates relating to the development and govern-

ance issues of Nepal need to be included in our programs. Ob-

viously, the tasks of connecting Canberra and Kathmandu,

Australia and Nepal, and the community of Canberra to other

cities in Australia also are important. For this, we should work

together with the Nepalese Embassy in Canberra and Australi-

an Embassy in Nepal, and of course independently in many

issues.

“...noting the growing membership,

we need to improve the quality of the

programs that we routinely organise

and need to focus to diversify the pro-

grams' nature”