NEWS NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

I t is our great pleasure to present you our second Quarterly Newsletter. This has indeed

been a very busy first half of the year with many exciting and memorable events. I hope you all enjoyed this eventful dry season like we did. Now, it’s time that we reflect upon what has or has not gone well in the past months and so that we can approach the remaining months of the year with renewed perspective.

We are very happy to announce that NANT has seen a tremendous

growth in its financial membership this year and expect this to continue in coming years as well. At the end of FY 2016/17, our financial membership rose to 392.

We urge all to join NANT and contribute to the community by being involved in community activities. NANT welcomes all your expertise, creative ideas and enthusiasm. With collective efforts, we can make our community strong and achieve all our objectives and values that we stand for.

In this issue, we are very pleased

to share our first ever Satya Naryana Puja, the extension of Nepali language and cultural class to Palmerston and various other events with pictures that reflects our achievement as a community organization. Hope you all enjoy reading!!!!

Finally, I express my gratitude to the publication team and NANT family to help achieve our goal by publishing quarterly newsletter.

Here are some of the things our NANT has accomplished so far, this year:

ABOUT NANT

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

INSIDE

About NANT 1

President’s Message 1

Saraswati Puja 2

Holi Celebration 3

Nepalese Language and Cultural class extended to Palmerston 4

Samuhik Satya Narayan and Graha Shanti Puja 5

Nepali New Year 2074 6

Farewell to Mr. Bijay Bhushal 7

Buddha Jayanti 7

Harmony Day Celebration 8

Other Activities 9

OzFusion 9

Annual welcome reception for international students 9

International Women’s Day 10

Thank You Message 11

Year 2017, Issue 2, 28/11/2017

N epalese Association of Northern Territory Inc (NANT) was an outcome of an intense

discussion and desire to serve the Nepalese community in a formal and well organized approach through an organization. Its founders felt the need of a Nepalese Community organization that would cater to the needs of new Nepalese immigrants, students and also those who were already residing in the Northern Territory, Australia.

That very essentiality became the cause of its birth and was thus registered as organisation in the year 2008 and was incorporated under the Association Act on 11 March 2010 . Thanks to all the founder members, volunteers, advisers and well-wishers that felt this need during those tough times and has brought forward NANT as one of the emerging communities in the Northern Territory. The objects and purposes of the Association are to:

● Promote goodwill and co-operation amongst Nepalese people residing in Australia, in general and in the Northern Territory, in particular;

● Provide help and support to Nepalese people at times of need.

● Extend help and facilities to Nepalese students who come to study in Australia;

● Maintain and promote Nepalese culture and tradition in Australia

● Promote friendship within Australian communities at large and exchange cultural practices and values;

● Develop and foster social, economic and cultural relationships between Australia and Nepal

● Create a forum to discuss contemporary social issues facing the Nepalese community living either in Australia or in Nepal; and

● Undertake any activities as determined by the association from time to time to maintain Nepalese culture, tradition and friendships with broader Australian Communities.

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

2

H oly Saraswati Puja was organised by NANT on 1st of

February at Hindu Temple, Patterson Street, and Malak. The rituals and chant for the puja of goddess of knowledge, wisdom and arts “Mata Saraswati” was performed by Priest “Pandit. Narayan Dahal”. The puja had a huge participation from the community members with around 150. This day is regarded highly auspicious to start the academic activities so this event saw a huge participation by kids to receive blessings from Mata Saraswati.

To encourage kids for their academic endeavours, NANT distributed small gifts which include exercise books and Pencils to the participating kids. We highly encourage kids to enjoy the essence of our culture and religion and preserve it for generations to come.

SARASWATI PUJANANT TEAM 2016/18

PresidentSudeep Shrestha

Vice- President/ PRO Yug Raj Adhikari

(Until 27th March 2017)

SecretaryAnjana Pant Baral

Treasurer Anil Basnet

Executive MembersSurendra DawadiKrishna RanabhatDeepika DevkotaShiva Ram Poudel

Shree Krishna Dhungana

Proudly Sponsored By

Supported By

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

3

On 12th March 2017, NANT celebrated festival of colors “ HOLI” at Jingili Water Park. The festival of Holi is celebrated to recognize the victory of good over evil.

Huge number of community members celebrated the festival by colouring each other’s and soaking each other with colored water.

Singing and Dancing to the Nepalese beat was another attraction of the event. NANT provided participants with colors to play, BBQ foods and drinks for the present participants.

On the occasion, NANT took the opportunity to welcome the new arrivals from Nepal most of whom were students at CDU. NANT Executive Member and Student Co-Coordinator Krishna Ranabhat welcomed the new comers to our wonderful NT and provided the details of our Nepalese Community.

The event created a great atmosphere for the new comers to mingle with other Nepalese residing in Darwin and listen to their experience and problems of their transition to a new country.

HOLI CELEBRATION WELCOME AND INTERACTION WITH CDU NEW NEPALESE STUDENTS

Shop 3/6 Sabine Road MillnerPhone: (08) 8985 3050info@kbafinance.com.auhttp://kbafinance.com.au/ GOLD SPONSOR

PO Box 2139 Palmerston NT 0831Phone: (08) 89322750shree.dhungana@360ems.com.auhttp://360ems.com.au/

3/4, Edmunds St. Darwin, NT 0800Phone: (08) 8981 0264kebabs.momo@gmail.comhttps://web.facebook.com/kemohouse

PO Box 67 Parap, Northern Territory, AustraliaPhone: 0424 742 889admin@tigerdevelopments.net.auhttps://facebook.com/tigerdevelopments008

SILVER SPONSOR

12/69 Mitchell Street Darwin,Northern TerritoryPhone: (08) 8941 4401spiceofhimalaya1@gmail.comhttp://www.spiceofhimalaya.com

PLATINUM SPONSOR

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

4

T o Enhance and Preserve Nepalese language and culture, NANT Inc. proudly

extended the Nepalese Language and Cultural class to the city of Palmerston on 18th March 2017, The inauguration of the class was done by Deputy Mayor, City of Palmerston Ms. Seranna Shutt, in presence of NANT Past President Mr. Nitesh Raj Pant and NRNA-NT Co-Ordinator Mr. Niraj Gurung. Accompanying them were a large number of kids along with their guardians/parents.

Krisha Poudel and Savyata Gurung presented their cultural performance during the program and light snacks were provided for all the participants and students. With the massive support and participation of families living in and around Palmerston, the class is now running very successfully under the Supervision and Instructor of MS. Rose Thulung.

Similarly, NANT would like to thank Mr. BP Bhandari, resident of Palmerston, for donating a speaker to the class, we believe will be a huge help for the students. We encourage similar participation from our members to make our community better.

NEPALESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL CLASS EXTENDED TO PALMERSTON

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

5

1 st April 2017- As part of preserving our cultural and religious

values, and bearing interest to the people of the community, NANT Inc. successfully organized Samuhik Satya Narayan and Graha Shanti Puja for the first time in Darwin at Hindu Temple Malak.

This e vent was highly appreciated by our wider community members with participation of more than 200 people. Mr. Narayan Dahal and Mr. Shiva Ram Poudel took an initiative as priest and co-priest during the puja.

The surplus fund generated from the puja was contributed towards betterment of NANT Language and Cultural classes. The pooja food (Prasad) was provided to all the pooja participant and visitor.

On the occasion, Farewell program was also organized in honor of NANT Past President Mr. Nitesh Raj Pant, who migrated from Darwin to Tasmania and current NANT

team m ember Mr. Yugraj Adhikari (Vice President / Public officer), who resigned due to his health condition. NANT expressed its sincere appreciation for their contribution and enthusiasm

towards community service. NANT President Mr. Sudeep Shrestha and NRNA-NT Coordinator Mr. Niraj Gurung jointly offered “Token of Love” as a respect and wished them success for their future endeavors.

SAMUHIK SATYA NARAYAN AND GRAHA SHANTI PUJA

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

6

N ANT celebrated its annual event, Nepalese New Year 2074 on 15 April 2017 at

Filipino Community Center, Amy Johnson Avenue. Coordinated by NANT Executive member, Mr. Shiva Ram Poudel, the event was a grand success. We are very grateful to Honorable Chief Guest Kate Worden, Federal Member of Solomon, Mr. Luke Gosling and The Lord Mayor City of Darwin, MS Katrina Fong Lim, and other distinguished guests for their presence during the event. The event was jointly inaugurated by the invited guests by lightening the candle.

The event had many attractions like food, beverage, and cultural

dance along with a special attraction for the kids in form of “hyper the clown”. The singing duo of brothers, Mr. Satya Raj Acharya and Swaroop Raj Acharya along with DJ Susil from Sydney entertained the whole evening with traditional and contemporary music. Additionally, dance and role –play by our local artists were highly appreciated by the spectators. More than 450 community people attended the program to make it very successful.

NEPALI

NEW YEAR

2074

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

7

N ANT in collaboration with NRNA-NT organized a farewell program to one of

the founding member of NANT Mr. Bijay Bhusal on 6th May 2017. His valuable contribution and dedication towards NANT and the Nepalese community is highly appreciated. It was a great privilege for NANT to wish him all the best for successful journey ahead. NANT Secretory Ms Anjana Pant Baral and Mr. Niraj Gurung, NRNA-NT president jointly gifted him with a Token of love.

FAREWELL TO MR. BIJAY BHUSHAL

N ANT celebrated Buddha Jayanti on 10th May 2017 at

The International Buddhist Centre, 37 Parkside Crescent. Holy mantras was delivered by the Sri-lankan ‘Bhanta’ (monk) from the Buddhist center following a speech. Similarly, all the participants

lighted candle and shared warm wishes to each other.

After the formal program, light snacks and drinks were provided to all the participants. More than 50 community members attended the program and enjoyed a very blissful evening.

BUDDHA JAYANTI

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

8

N ANT participated in Darwin W a t e r f r o n t

Harmony Soiree 2017, which was held 27th of May 2017, at Darwin Waterfront. This program provide a huge opportunity to NANT to share Nepalese tradition and cultural among the various communities residing in Darwin. NANT promoted the essence of Nepalese culture through its community stall, food stall and two cultural performances (dance) by language and cultural class’ students.

Our community stall exhibited varieties of traditional musical instruments, statue, “DHAKA” clothes and religious instruments. Likewise, delicious Nepalese dishes: Curries, Mo:Mo and other meals were provided in our food stall by Spice of Himalaya, Darwin.

HARMONY DAY CELEBRATION

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

9

N A N T r e p r e s e n t e d itself at

Multicultural event OzFusion 2017 on 26 January 2017 at Marrara. Oz Fusion is a free family oriented event held on Australia Day that showcases and celebrates Darwin’s cultural diversity through an exciting and engaging program of cultural performances, bands and multicultural

food. Two of our representative girls,

Grishma Tamang and Sanchita Gautam had

performed Nepalese cultural dances.

ANNUAL WELCOME RECEPTION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

O n 25th February 2017, new international students and guests attended Northern Territory

scholarship recipients & annual welcome reception for international students hosted by the Hon Michael Gunner MLA, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory at Parliament House NT. NANT President Sudeep Shrestha, Secretary Anjana Baral, Treasurer Anil Basnet and Executive members Shiva Ram Poudel and Surendra Dawadi were present on the program.

Nepalese student Mr. Sakar Kharel received the Scholarship at the event for his outstanding academic achievement.

OZFUSION

OTHER ACTIVITIES

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

10

I nternational Women's Day March & Celebration at Parliament House was held on 11th March 2017. This

was organized by The City of Darwin to celebrate the achievements of women in NT and around the world, connecting all women and inspiring them to leadership and achieving their full potential.

NANT Secretary Anjana Baral participated in the March and attended reception within the Main Hall of Parliament House. NANT is also very proud of Miss Krisha Poudel who represented Nepalese community and performed our traditional dance during the event held on International Women Day.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

NEWS LETTERNANT

HALF YEARLY

11

DO YOU KNOW NANT

• Develops network between the individual, communities and organizations,

• Ensures harmony, cooperation and strengthen social ties,

• Promotes advancement and awareness of Nepalese’s identity, linguistic and cultural heritage

• Plays key role to preserve the native culture and tradition through celebration of various festivals.

• Conduct miscellaneous activities for social and personal development including: welcome and farewell program, sports activities, dance class and so on.

N epalese Association of Northern Territory (NANT) is solely a non-profit, non-political organization, which aims to expand the

Nepalese culture among the complex diversify culture of Australia. This journey would be hardy possible without the contribution of our out-standing team of volunteers, members, sponsors and leaders along with the other communities.

Our strong bond and coordination helps to strengthen ties within the community and beyond. This also cultivates the closer relationship with different organization in our wider community. Therefore, NANT seeks further support, better cooperation and greater unity to fulfill our mission and vision. Your suggestion and feedback would be greatly appreciated on this regard.

THANK YOU

EDITORIAL TEAM

PO Box. No: 42091 | Casuarina NT 0810E: info@nant.org.au | W: http://www.nant.org.au

Send your feedback and valuable suggestions at info@nant.org.au

Become a Member Visithttp://nant.org.au/become-a-member/

NANT TEAM2016/18 PRODUCTION

NEPALESE ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN TERRITORY INC.

Surendra DawadiKrishna Ranabhat

Hem PunDeepika Devkota