Abhishek Awasthi
Abhishek Awasthi | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo | |
| Assumed office 26 November 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew Evans |
| Councillor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Kennington Ward | |
| Assumed office 2024 | |
| Preceded by | New Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor[1] |
| Alma mater | Uttar Pradesh Technical University, La Trobe University |
Abhishek Awasthi is an Indian-Australian politician who has served as deputy mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo since 2024 and as a councillor for Kennington Ward since 2024.[2]
Early life and career
Awasthi was born in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh and graduated from Uttar Pradesh Technical University with a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology.[3] He moved to Bendigo in 2008 to study and later work at La Trobe University.[4][5][6] Awasthi is the president of the Indian Association of Bendigo.[7]
Political career
Awasthi contested the Kennington Ward in the 2024 Victorian local elections, achieving 58.86% of the vote against Greens candidate Gavin Hicks.[8][9] He ran on a platform of keeping the East Bendigo pool open and advocating for the expansion of flights from the Bendigo Airport to other Australian cities.[10][11]
Awasthi was sworn in as deputy mayor on 26 November 2024, alongside mayor Andrea Metcalf.[12] He stated that “I want to see Greater Bendigo continue to develop into an inclusive and sustainable community, while ensuring we preserve its rich history, celebrate its diversity and promote social equity, and I hope to advocate for continued access to local food security services and affordable housing.”[13] He has also advocated for linking Bendigo and his home town of Mandi as sister cities and promoting cultural exchanges between the cities.[14][15]
References
- ^ "Meet the candidates for Greater Bendigo Council Election 2024". heraldsun. Archived from the original on 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Deputy Mayor Cr Abhishek Awasthi | City of Greater Bendigo". www.bendigo.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ Abishek, Awasthi. "Abhishek Awasthi GAICD". Linkedin. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- ^ "Mayor, deputy mayor for Bendigo chosen in behind-closed-doors meeting". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 2024-11-19. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Aussie city Deputy Mayor visits hometown Mandi". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ Sun, The Indian (2024-07-17). "Awasthi guides Bendigo's Indian community forward -". Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "'It's for everyone': communities gather to celebrate Festival of Lights". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ VEC. "Results". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "New Bendigo council elected". McIvor Times. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Keep Bendigo East pool open: Awasthi launches tilt for council". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "City of Greater Bendigo, Kennington, Abhishek Awasthi". Bendigo Times. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "City congratulates Mayor-elect and Deputy Mayor-elect for 2024/2025 | City of Greater Bendigo". www.bendigo.vic.gov.au. 2024-11-19. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ Williams, Edwina (2024-11-21). "Councillors elect mayor and deputy". Bendigo Times. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "First Indian-origin Deputy Mayor in Australia's Bendigo, Mandi's Abhishek looks to link both places as 'Sister Cities'". 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "VIDEO : मंडी में बोले आस्ट्रेलिया के ग्रेटर बेंडिगो में निर्वाचित हुए डिप्टी मेयर अभिषेक अवस्थी, यहां के विकास के लिए दे सकता हूं सुझाव". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-02-22.