By Kyra Gillespie
Cardinia’s newest temple was officially opened this weekend, marking an important step forward for the local Sikh community.
The three-day long event at the Officer Road place of worship saw attendance from a number of special guests, including federal MP Jason Wood, newly-elected Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Mayor Cr Graeme Moore.
Representatives from Need for Feed, Cardinia Interfaith Network, Rotary Club of Pakenham and other local conservation groups, residents groups and multicultural groups were also in attendance.
Site tours of the newly developed property were conducted by volunteers, where visitors saw bird nest boxes, tree plantations, clothes recycling bins that had been installed at the twenty acre property and learned of plans to start organic farming, a toy library, and music and language classes at the site.
The temple is known as Gurdwara or Gurughar, meaning the house of Guru (teacher) and has been in the works since 2013.
The building of the 123-capacity temple was for a time stunted by a number of local objectors who initially approached the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal before dropping the case last year.
Sikh community spokesman Harpreet Singh said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned out to support the official opening.
“I want to thank everyone for their advice during the difficult planning phases of the temple. We invite you to share your own bright collaboration ideas in the path of making this new home communities asset and pride,” he said.
“The temple has no formal organisational structure and has prepared a vision document for next five years, with community integration and engagement as one of the core verticals.
“The Sikh Gurdwara welcomes everyone anytime, any day with the mission of connecting everyone to the universal humanistic principles, promoting brotherhood and building community bridges.”
La Trobe Federal MP Jason Wood spoke highly of the event.
“I was delighted and very pleased to be part of the inauguration of the new Sikh temple in Officer,” he said.
“The temple is open to the wider community and even forming partnerships with Officer Football Netball Clubs.
“Harpreet Singh came to my office to discuss their funding application and I am pleased to announce that Gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar has received $17,000 under the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.
“I want to celebrate the contribution that the Sikh community has made to Australia.
“I would also like to thank all the Sikh Community members who have worked tirelessly to make this inauguration a grant success. “
A free community meal co-ordinated by Harman Singh was enjoyed by all in a traditional Sikh style, which involved donning customary head wear and sitting on the floor.
Avtar Singh, another active member of the community said he was touched to see everyone keen to tie the Sikh turbans.
“We almost ran short of turbans to meet the popular demand,” he said.
The temple has congregation members from Sikh and Indian community in Officer, Pakenham, Clyde, Cranbourne, Beaconsfield and Berwick.
