News

Local communities rally for Nepal relief

By Brynne Timewell

Sep 16, 2026

Community members have donated $5000 to support affected communities in Nepal. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Members of the Tatura and Shepparton Punjabi community, along with local businesses, have raised $5000 to support communities in Nepal affected by last month’s flash floods.

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The funds were transferred directly to Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund in a joint effort with the Greater Shepparton Nepalese Community.

The contribution was announced at an event attended by GSNC president Lekha Nath Aryal, secretary Ujjwal Rijal, community representatives and local councillors.

“It has been a heartbreaking event for Nepalese families, both those living here and their families back home,” city councillor Anthony Brophy said.

“What we are seeing today is a great example of what makes Shepparton such a strong and diverse community.”

Flash floods on August 26 triggered by a glacial avalanche across the Nepal-Tibet border have claimed more than a thousand lives, left thousands missing and destroyed tens of thousands of homes.

Punjabi community member Kuldeep Randhawa said the donation reflected cross-community solidarity.

“When people are facing a crisis of this scale, our response should not be limited by culture, religion or nationality,” he said.

“We wanted to stand alongside our Nepalese neighbours in a practical way, and this donation is a joint show of solidarity between our two communities.”