Anup Bhandari Announces Candidacy for NRN ICC Member from Melbourne

Ramesh Hatuwali/Kathmandu : Anup Bhandari, a long-time resident of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia has announced his candidacy for the International Coordination Council (ICC) member of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA). With nearly two decades of experience living and working in Australia, Bhandari’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to giving back to the community and his homeland, Nepal.

Born in the hilly district of Bhojpur, Nepal, Bhandari later moved with his family to Kathmandu, where he pursued his education. While studying at the undergraduate level, he began working as a lab assistant. In 2007, seeking better opportunities, he moved to Australia — a decision that would test his strength and determination from the very beginning.

From pulling onions in the fields to picking grapes under the scorching sun, Bhandari took on every job he could find to survive in a new land. “I used to earn 12 dollars a day, but my hostel expenses alone were 13,” he recalls. He also endured long hospital stays due to poor health and faced emotional and financial hardships while supporting fellow students in need.

He firmly believes that collective support from the community will lead him to success. “I’m confident, not just in my journey, but in the trust the community has placed in me,” he affirms.

Eventually, his journey brought him to Melbourne, where he studied cookery and hospitality, working tirelessly in kitchens to support himself. He considers the day he got a job in the gaming industry in Victoria as one of the happiest moments of his Australian life.

Inspired by the philanthropic work of his father, Shyam Prasad Bhandari, Anup gradually turned his focus to social service. Deeply moved by the plight of talented students in Nepal who were forced to drop out of school due to financial hardship, he began sponsoring their education. At present, he fully supports three students — one girl from Itahari, Sunsari and two from Sundarharaincha, Morang — covering all their educational expenses.

Bhandari is currently associated with Noble Career Guru, an educational consultancy based in Melbourne. Through this platform, he provides career counseling and guidance to Nepali students in Australia, helping them find professions aligned with their interests and potential. “Education is the key to transformation, and I want to help students realize their worth,” he says.

With a desire to institutionalize his service and expand its reach, Bhandari is now stepping into the NRNA’s international political landscape. “I see NRNA not just as an organization but as a collective spirit of Nepalis living abroad. I believe we can build bridges between our motherland and the diaspora through experience, honesty, and action,” he shared.

By running for the ICC member position, Bhandari hopes to bring authentic migrant voices, grassroots understanding, and genuine commitment into NRNA’s leadership. He firmly believes that collective support from the community will lead him to success. “I’m confident, not just in my journey, but in the trust the community has placed in me,” he affirms.

With this candidacy, Anup Bhandari represents a new wave of leadership-grounded in personal struggle, inspired by social values, and driven by a vision of inclusive progress.

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