PM honours ‘extraordinary’ Sikh volunteers

The Prime Minister has joined in the celebrations of the Sikh New year by honouring a decade of “extraordinary” volunteer work by the Sikh community.

Sikh Volunteers Australia have marked 10 years of helping Aussies in need during natural disasters by delivering food and support to those in crisis.

Anthony Albanese visited Casey, in southeast Melbourne, on Sunday to celebrate Sikh Vaisakhi alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Bruce MP Julian Hill.

Mr Albanese also donned a turban to mark the occasion of the Sikh Volunteers celebrating the milestone of service to the community.

“They do extraordinary work,” Mr Albanese said.

“During the pandemic they provided food for students who were in desperate need for that support. During the bushfires, during floods.

“Wherever there are issues confronting Australians, we see the best of the Australian character and there’s no community organisation that has done more than Sikh Volunteers Australia.

“We see them whether it be here in Victoria, or up in Lismore, wherever there are floods or natural weather events, we see people putting their values into practice by providing that support to their fellow Australians who are in need.”

The PM was gifted a trophy, kirpan (sword), shawl and a set of books Sikh Volunteers Australia as a token of their appreciation of his support.

Due to the kirpan’s religious and cultural significance, Mr Albanese was required to cover his head with a turban during the ceremony.

Mr Hill said the Sikh Volunteers Australia had become a welcome sight to many communities impacted by natural disasters.

“(They have) become beloved to Australians, not just here in Victoria, but in New South Wales and across the country for living their values and helping out time after time in natural disasters, the weekly food vans,” he said.

It comes as the volunteer group most likely is preparing to head off to flood affected areas in NSW following massive rainfall in recent days.

Mr Albanese said disaster assistance has been since been made available for the 13 local government areas around the Illawarra, Shellharbour Wollongong area.

The Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury area and in other areas that have been severely impacted by these flooding events will also be eligible for the funding.