Special guests were the Ambassador of Nepal, Mrs Lucky Sherpa and her husband from Canberra. Other guests included Cr Bill West, Mayor, Cr Ruth Fagan, Chairperson of the Festival, Kylie Wood, Festival Coordinator, Cr Ray and Libby Walsh and Cr Peter and Maryann Wright.

In addition to Evening branch and other local CWA members, interested members of the public were also in attendance.

The meal served consisted of typical Nepalese dishes.

Another important guest was Millie Casey, one of the eleven Festival Youth Ambassadors, who is being sponsored by Cowra Evening CWA.

Millie outlined what she has learned about Nepal and about where the funds raised by all Youth Ambassadors will go.

This is to REED Nepal, (Rural Education and Environment Development) which will use the funds to rebuild schools damaged in the massive earthquake in 2015.

Her Excellency Mrs Lucky Sherpa was the guest speaker.

She congratulated Cowra on its wonderful concept of a Festival of International Understanding and for inviting Nepal as the guest nation this year, the 54th year of the Festival.

She also thanked the local schoolchildren for their beautiful art work on display in the shop fronts of the main street.

Mrs Sherpa outlined some of the attractions to look forward to at the festival carnival on Saturday March 24, starting with meditation and including dance, food and music.

A number of Nepalese people living in Canberra, Sydney and Orange will be attending.

Mrs Lucky Sherpa is the first Indigenous woman to be an Ambassador for Nepal and she spoke about a number of Nepal’s aspects such as its Constitution, federalism, diversity, multiculturalism, freedom of religion and the importance of tourism to the economy.

Cowra Evening CWA member, Kaye Kilby gave the vote of thanks and presented Mrs Sherpa with a gift and posy of Australian native flowers.