JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
By Consulate-General of Nepal (VIC) & Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV)
Melbourne, Australia
Saturday, 7th December 2013
Nepalese Honoured with
Victoria’s Multicultural Award for Excellence 2013
Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV), Mr Jog Limbu (Senior Advisor and Member) & Yeti Football Club (Yeti FC) have been honoured with this year’s Victoria’s Multicultural Excellence Awards 2013 for Meritorious Service for outstanding voluntary contributions to Victoria’s Nepalese community and broader Australian society.
This honor is bestowed upon organizations and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding voluntary commitment to the service of Victoria’s Multicultural Community, promote cultural diversity and improved community relations and programs for at least 10 years. This is the second time that a Nepalese person has been honoured with such a prestigious award and a first for an organization.
The award was presented by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC amid a ceremony at Government House in Melbourne on Wednesday 4th Dec 2013 in the presence of the Premier of Victorian the Honourable Dr Denis Napthine, Minister for Multicultural Affairs & Citizenship the Honourable Nicholas Kotsiras, Chairman of Victorian Multicultural Commission Mr Chin Tan, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Ken Lay and many VIP dignitaries and guests. Representing the Nepalese community the ceremony was attended by Mr. Bom Yonzon (President of NAV), Mr. Jog Limbu (senior adviser of NAV), Mrs. Nila Limbu, Mr. Raj Sharma President of Yeti FC, Mrs Bharati Joshi and Mr. Parsuram Sharma Luital (JP – former NAV adviser).
His Excellency the governor congratulated the recipients of the award in his opening remarks. The Governor added that this recognition reflects only the summary of the amount of great contributions made by the recipients to the community. Speaking on the occasion, Premier Napthine also commended the recipients and said that each of the recipients has illustrated selfless commitment in their field to create positive opportunities for their own community as well as delivering benefits to the broader Victorian community.
Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV):
NAV was established in 1997 as a representative body for more than 12,000 Nepalese Victorians and to promote and preserve their diverse cultures, language and heritage. They established relationships with other communities, organised cultural events and are a contact point of residents and visitors. They also run a newsletter, community radio program, community benevolent fund, awards program and sports activities for young people.
Yeti Soccer Club Inc:
Yeti FC has been recognized by the Victorian Multicultural Commission for its Meritorious Service to the Community. Yeti FC was awarded Victoria’s Multicultural Awards for Excellence 2013 in community organization category, thus becoming the first Nepalese football club to receive such award in Australia.
The award was bestowed to recognize the club’s outstanding voluntary commitment to the service of Victoria’s multicultural community, its participation in diverse cultural initiatives and its endeavour towards improved community relations and programs since 2001.
Yeti FC was established by a few football enthusiasts in 2001 and has grown from strength to strength. Since its inception, Yeti FC has developed Nepalese football by complementing successful teams, with music and cultural events. This Brunswick based club is a ‘home away from home’ for many young Nepalese students and residents. Through sports, Yeti FC helps prevent involvement in drugs, alcohol and inappropriate behaviour, as well as, actively fundraise for those in need.
Jog Limbu:
He is a senior Advisor and Member of the NAV. Jog has been actively participating and taking an active leadership role in NAV activities and others such as sports, culture, institutional development, charities, NAV Excellence Award, Welfare Fund Australia and providing assistance to fellow Nepalese in challenging times. Jog is passionate about helping people and making a difference in the community. He is a well-recognised and respected senior community leader in Australia. His significant community work of more than 23 years is well received and admired by the community. Jog is a strong advocator and promoter of the importance of multiculturalism and cultural diversity.
Mr Chandra Yonzon the Hon. Consul General of Nepal for Victoria said this was a proud moment for Nepal and the entire Nepalese community that a Nepalese person in Melbourne was honoured with such a prestigious recognition by the Government of Victoria. This is a great achievement for NAV and the migrant Nepalese community as a whole.
Mr. Bom Yonzon, the present President of Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV), who nominated Mr. Limbu for the award on behalf of the Nepalese community, said Mr Limbu deserved this award for his dedicated work to our community over a decade and he was pleased that his nomination was accepted. He added such recognition is a sign that we Nepalese are making positive contributions to our community and as well as the greater multicultural society in this country (Australia) and our efforts are being noticed by the government.
Mr. Ranjan Vaidya, former president of NAV expressed his pleasure saying that this was a great achievement for Mr Limbu and the community. He further added that NAV made significant contributions in advancing the Nepalese community during his presidency due to a great dedicated team he had including Mr Limbu as Senior Advisor. And it was good to see our community reach this far primarily due to the enormous effort made by the succeeding presidents and their team, he added.
Dr. Raju Adhikari, the founder President of NAV said that Mr Limbu had worked in various capacities and played a key role in sport, cultural and constitution committees and still continues to play an active role in the organisation. This award is a good recognition for his contributions to the Nepalese community and the organisation, he added.
Dr. Deepakraj Panta, the former president of NAV, I am delighted to hear that Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV), Mr Jog Limbu (Senior Advisor and Member) & Yeti Football Club (Yeti FC) has been honored with this year’s Victoria’s Multicultural Excellence Awards 2013 for Meritorious Service for outstanding voluntary contributions to Victoria’s Nepalese community in Victoria. I am even happier that people and organizations I have been in close touch and worked with for many years have bagged it. The award has certainly strengthen our Nepalese Community in Victoria. It signifies the endless years & hours you all have spent doing volunteer service and reflects your true dedication to Nepalese Community. Congratulations, and thanks for all of your devotion and hard work. I wish all the best guys.
Statement By Bom Yonzon.
Mr. Bom Yonzon president of NAV receiving this award in behalf of Nepalese Association of Victoria said this was the dream of the NAV team. Full credit goes to the Ex presidents Dr Raju Adhikari, the Late Benu Adhikari, Mr Ranjan Vaidhya, Dr Deepak raj Panta and my team members, founder seniors, and all members of the Nepalese Community living in Victoria. “This is an achievement and acknowledgement of your tireless effort and support to me and my team members from the past five years in my tenure. You trusted me to lead the community. Thank you to all and I look forward to the work ahead with the new team, with similar support and even better achievement in the upcoming days”, Mr Yonzon added.
Furthermore, the award itself is not complete without the community, so he dedicates this award to the Nepalese community for their prosperous support, help and trust. He added; “Hand in hand, we only achieve these heights, so continuity is essential for the brilliant future ahead”. He thanked all fellow brothers and sisters and their contributions made to help elect NAV for the VMC award. Mr. Yonzon promises to keep raising the value of NAV in Victoria.
Statement by Jog Limbu
Accepting this award Mr. Limbu said that this achievement is an acknowledgement of contributions made by every volunteer who works tirelessly for our community. He also said that he was very proud to be the 2nd person with a Nepalese background to receive such a prestigious award and that he dedicates this award to our Nepalese community in Victoria and Australia. He also mentioned that he was very satisfied to see the community sprit in our fellow brothers and sisters. He added that their commitment to give something back to the Nepalese community made a difference.
“This award is an acknowledgement of every volunteer who worked tirelessly for our community. This is recognition of our Nepalese Community by the Government for our contribution to multicultural Victoria”.
“I am very proud to represent the Nepalese community again after my fellow mate Mr. Sudhir Shakya received this prestigious award last year. I dedicate this award to the Nepalese community in Victoria and Australia. It is very nice to see the community spirit of our fellow brothers and sisters and their commitment to give something back to the community we originate from”.
“I’d also like to express my sincere gratitude to my fellow colleagues Mr. Bom Yonzon, the Hon. Consul General of Nepal for Victoria Mr. Chandara Yonzon and Mr. Sudir Shakya for nominating me for the award and the Nepalese community for the opportunity they gave me to serve our great community. I would also like to thank all past and present committee members I worked with over the years for their support and cooperation. I would also like to take this opportunity to give thanks to my wife, Nila Limbu, who has helped and supported me in this fabulous journey.
I hope our fellow brothers and sisters will see this achievement as an encouragement to do more for our growing community in Australia.
Statement by Raj Sharma
President Yeti FC
Mr. Raj Sharma, on the occasion, said it was a very proud moment for Yeti family, supporters, well wishers, sponsors and the entire Nepalese community in Melbourne. Mr Sharma reiterated that Yeti FC is aware with recognition, comes responsibility and Yeti FC is committed to work harder to meet the expectation of our community. Mr. Sharma further thanked everyone involved with the club and also to Victoria Police for nominating Yeti FC for this prestigious award.
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About the Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence
Victoria is home to one of the most culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse communities in the world. The Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence recognises the outstanding achievements of individuals from many diverse backgrounds. It is awarded to individuals or organisations for their significant contribution made to their own community and to the broader Victorian Community as a whole.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission, A Victorian government body, accepts and approves official nominations for the award on behalf of the government.