29 Nobember 2022
Ambassador inaugurates Nepal-Australia Friendship Batika in Pokhara
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk, inaugurated the Nepal-Australia Friendship Batika in the Maidi Botanical Garden in Pokhara.
The Batika, which has been planted with both Nepali and Australian species, was supported by the Australian Embassy through its Australian Alumni Public Diplomacy Fund. Mr Rishi Ram Tripathee, a life member of the Association of Nepalese Alumni from Australia (ANAA), designed the project, which is expected to attract hikers in the Maidi Pakho Community Forest.
Inaugurating the Batika, Ambassador Volk said, “Australia and Nepal are longstanding partners in community forestry and environmental preservation. This Batika will literally be a growing symbol of Australia’s friendship with Nepal and our joint commitment to Nepal’s natural heritage.”
Australian Embassy Media Release
28 Nobember 2022
Australian Ambassador inaugurates Resource Centre at Shahbajia School, Biratnagar
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk visited the Madrasa Shahabjia Secondary School in Biratnagar to inaugurate a Resource Centre that has been established with Australian funding.
Launching the Centre, Ambassador Volk said, “Social inclusion underpins all Australian development activities in Nepal and the Australian Embassy is pleased to support expanded learning opportunities for girls and boys from the Muslim community in Biratnagar.
Australian Embassy Media Release
30 August 2022
Australia-Nepal Bilateral Consultation Mechanism - Water Resource Management Cooperation
On 30 August 2022, the second Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) between the Australia Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Government of Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), was held on 30 August 2022 in Canberra, Australia.
During the BCM, DFAT Secretary Jan Adams AO PSM, and the Secretary of the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Water Resource Management.
Australian Embassy Media Release
11 July 2022
Ambassador Volk hands over oxygen plant to Green Pasture Hospital in Pokhara
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk, Gandaki Province Health Secretary Dr Shreeram Tiwari and International Nepal Fellowship Nepal (INF Nepal) Chairperson Ram Chandra Timothy jointly inaugurated an Oxygen Concentration Plant at the Green Pasture Hospital, Pokhara. The Australian Government, through INF Nepal, established the plant at the cost of NPR 14 million.
Auistralian Embassy Media Release
10 June 2022
Australian Ambassador participates in inclusive arts event for children
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk awarded prizes and certificates to winners and participants of an Inclusive Art Event for children with neuro-developmental disabilities and neurotypical children. The competition was organised by the AutismCare Nepal Society with support from the Australian Embassy.
The Nepal Olympic Committee and Sports for All Commission also collaborated to raise awareness about autism and meaningful inclusion of children with neuro-developmental conditions in public arts and sports events.
Australian Embassy Media Release
10 March 2022
Australian Ambassador joins mix-gender blind cricket event on International Women’s Day
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk marked International Women’s Week in her cricketing gear by participating in a mix-gender blind cricket event at Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu. Cricket Association of the Blind organised the event with support of the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program. The Embassy is also funding the development of a training manual for sporting events for people living with disability.
Addressing the event, Ambassador Volk expressed her sincere condolences on passing of one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, Australian cricketer Shane Warne. Quoting the ‘Australian of the Year 2022’ and wheelchair tennis champion, Dylan Alcott, Ambassador Volk said, “We have to have greater representation of people with a disability absolutely everywhere. In our boardrooms, in our parliaments, in our mainstream schools, on our sporting fields, in our universities, absolutely everywhere.”
Australian Embassy Media Release
9 March 2022
Australian Ambassador promotes gender equality projects in Solukhumbu on International Women’s Day
On 8 March 2022, Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk, and Member of the Province One Assembly, Mr Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari, jointly inaugurated a newly constructed health post at Waku in Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu. The Waku Health Post was jointly supported by a partnership of Australian and Nepali NGOs, including the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF), Action for Nepal and One Heart Worldwide, the Rural Municipality and the local community.
Australian Embassy Media Release
13 January 2022
Ambassador Volk awards women bird guides
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk, awarded certificates to female participants of Bird Tourism Skills training, supported by the Australian Embassy. The Embassy funded Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) to deliver the five-day training program.
Addressing the newly-qualified bird guides at the closing ceremony, Ambassador Volk said, “Once international travel opportunities return, as we find our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, tourists will return to Nepal and the tourism sector will regenerate. Nepal will once again be high on traveller’s lists of places they want to visit. And each of you will be important in making Nepal’s indigenous and migratory birds another attraction for domestic and international tourists to discover.”