Indian-born councillor Abhishek Awasthi has been unanimously elected Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, marking a new chapter in his journey from an international student to one of regional Victoria’s civic leaders.
The election took place on Monday evening, 9 November 2026, at The Capital theatre in Bendigo, where approximately 250 people gathered to witness the occasion.
With family, friends, community members and supporters present, Awasthi was elected by his fellow councillors to lead Greater Bendigo for the 2026–27 mayoral term.
For Awasthi, the occasion carried a meaning far beyond his personal achievement.
He described his election as an “extraordinary moment” for migrants who have made Australia, and particularly Bendigo, their home.
His election also carries special meaning for the Indian Australian community, with Awasthi’s journey reflecting the growing participation of migrant Australians in local government and civic life.
Originally from Mandi in India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh, Awasthi arrived in Australia in 2008 as an international student to pursue a Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at La Trobe University.
Like thousands of international students who arrive in Australia seeking education and new opportunities, he began his journey far removed from the world of local government and politics.
After moving to Bendigo in 2010, he gradually became involved in community organisations, volunteering and multicultural initiatives.
Over the following years, Bendigo became more than the city where he lived and worked. It became home for his family and the community he would eventually represent.
Awasthi founded the Indian Association of Bendigo, which was formally established in 2021, helping bring together Indian families across central Victoria through cultural celebrations, charitable activities and community support programs.
His involvement extended beyond the Indian community. He has worked with organisations including Rotary, multicultural services, community houses and local sustainability groups.
In November 2024, Awasthi entered elected office after winning the Kennington Ward election with 58.86 per cent of first-preference votes, defeating Gavin Hicks.
He subsequently became Greater Bendigo’s first Indian-born Deputy Mayor for the 2024–25 term, serving alongside then Mayor Andrea Metcalf.
Two years after first entering the council chamber, his unanimous election as Mayor represents another milestone in his public life.
As a councillor, Awasthi has advocated for improved local services, affordable housing, better walking and cycling infrastructure, support for small businesses and more mental health services.
His elevation to the mayoralty also comes as regional Victorian communities continue to change, with people from different cultural and migrant backgrounds increasingly contributing to local businesses, education, healthcare and community organisations.
The presence of approximately 250 people at The Capital, including those closest to Awasthi, gave the occasion a personal dimension.
For migrant families who have built their lives in regional Australia, his election offers a visible example of how community involvement can lead to leadership in the places they now call home.
From the hills of Himachal Pradesh to the mayoral office in Bendigo, Awasthi’s story is one of migration, community service and an enduring connection to his adopted home.
His election places him at the head of the council responsible for representing residents across Greater Bendigo’s nine wards, with the task of turning that community connection into decisions affecting the city’s future.
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