Victorian Council recognises Sikh volunteers' contribution with a plaque

Casey Council, a local government area in south east Melbourne, has installed a plaque in the "Global Wall of Friendships", to honour the volunteer work done by its local Sikh community.

Sikh volunteers with Councillor Amanda Stapledon of Casey Council Source: Supplied

Councillor Amanda Stapledon of Casey Council told SBS Punjabi, "The Sikh community have a significant presence and are very valued in the Casey Community; they do so much. The Global Wall of Friendships give our multicultural groups an opportunity to showcase their culture and faith and for Casey to show case their significant presence and importance in community."

Manpreet Singh, a member of Sikh Volunteers Australia also spoke to SBS Punjabi, saying, "Our volunteers have been working within the Melbourne metropolitan area and also in regional towns of Victoria, helping various Councils in their annual charitable causes."

"Earlier this year, we've also started a food van service in Melbourne's inner city."

"At Casey Council, around 20-25 of our volunteers have helped out in charity runs, walks and other events, and now we feel that the Council has honoured the entire Sikh community by installing a plaque a their "Global Wall of Friendships".

"The Council contacted us a couple of months ago about it, and in our presentation to them, we told them our guiding prinicple is 'manas ki jaat sabhe aikey pehchanbo' , meaning all of humanity is one and we must serve everyone equally. This is inscribed on the plaque."

The plaque installed by the Casey Council on June 24, 2017 Source: Supplied

"On June 24, we were invited by the Council when the plaque was formally inaugurated, and we felt really good that the Sikh community received this recognition for posterity - that too on a historic site." 

The plaque says that it has been presented as 'a symbol of friendship and goodwill'. 

'Although the plaque names Sikh Volunteers Australia, but this really is a tribute to the entire Sikh community," said Manpreet Singh to SBS Punjabi.

Volunteers with Councillors and Mayor of Casey Source: Supplied

The Global Wall of Friendships is located behind the Balla Balla Centre on Berwick Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East (in between the Balla Balla Centre and the Case Indoor Leisure Complex on the Cranbourne side)

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