Australia’s Nepali community has expressed its appreciation to Governor-General Sam Mostyn for her solidarity and support following the devastating floods that struck Nepal and affected communities across the region.
The Australia Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS) recently brought members of Canberra’s Nepali community together at Government House, where representatives had an opportunity to acknowledge the Governor-General’s support during a period of deep concern and uncertainty for people with family and friends affected by the disaster.
The gathering provided an opportunity for community leaders and representatives of Nepali organisations to stand together and reflect on the impact of the floods. Members of the wider Nepali diaspora in Canberra were also invited to participate, highlighting the close connections between Australia’s Nepali community and people in Nepal.
The disaster has had a particularly strong emotional impact on Nepali Australians, many of whom were trying to establish the safety of relatives and friends in affected areas. Australian authorities have also been dealing with the difficult task of locating Australians who remained unaccounted for following the disaster.
Governor-General Mostyn had already demonstrated her support for Nepal earlier in September. On 3 September 2026, she visited the Embassy of Nepal in Canberra and signed the official condolence book for people who lost their lives in the natural disaster. She expressed sympathy to those who had lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods, as well as families still waiting for information about missing relatives.
During that visit, the Governor-General also recognised the efforts of emergency responders and volunteers working with communities affected by the floods. She conveyed Australia’s solidarity with Nepal and acknowledged the country’s assistance to Australians caught up in the disaster.
The Australian Government has also provided humanitarian assistance to support Nepal’s emergency response and recovery. On 30 August, the government announced a further $3 million in humanitarian assistance, taking forward its support for communities affected by the floods along the Nepal-China border. Australian crisis response, consular and Australian Federal Police personnel were also deployed to Kathmandu.
The scale of the disaster has also created considerable anxiety within Australian communities with strong connections to Nepal. In the aftermath of the floods, Nepali and Tibetan Australians across the country reported concerns about missing relatives and friends, while community organisations worked to connect families with information and assistance.
At the Canberra gathering, the Australia Nepal Friendship Society presented Governor-General Mostyn with ANFS Friendship Scarves, along with a report documenting the organisation’s 42-year history and its contribution to community harmony and friendship between Australia and Nepal. The society was subsequently presented with a commemorative coin by the Governor-General.
The ANFS also recognised that the event had limited capacity, meaning some longstanding contributors to the organisation could not attend. The society nevertheless acknowledged their continuing contribution to Canberra’s Nepali community and to the organisation’s long-running efforts to strengthen people-to-people connections.
For the Nepali Australian community, the gathering carried significance beyond the formal exchange of gifts and recognition. It provided an opportunity for community members to see their concerns acknowledged at the highest representative level and to reinforce the sense of solidarity that has emerged in Australia following the disaster.
The ANFS has said it remains committed to supporting people affected by the floods, bringing members of the Nepali community together and continuing to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Australia and Nepal.
The response also reflects the broader role played by Australia’s multicultural communities during times of crisis. For Nepali Australians, the floods have been both a humanitarian emergency overseas and a deeply personal event affecting families, friends and communities across borders.
As recovery efforts continue, the community’s engagement with Australian institutions is providing another avenue for solidarity and support. The meeting at Government House has added to the series of actions by Australian officials and community organisations expressing support for Nepal during one of the country’s most difficult recent disasters.
