On Sunday 24 March, La Trobe MP Jason Wood announced a funding of $340,000 for Officer’s Sikh temple ‘Siri Guru Nanak Darbar’ located at 33 Officer Road, Officer.
The federal cash will be used for various projects, including a language school, play area, organic farming and rain water harvesting.
Mr Wood thanked the Sikh community for their initiatives and interactions in La Trobe, particularly their collaborations with 15 community organisations, work for Australia Day, the Bunyip fire relief and Harmony Day.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin, Cardinia Shire Mayor Graeme Moore, Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon and Cr Damien Rosario attended the announcement and congratulated the community.
“My office had received a very professional proposal from the Officer temple for some community-based, community-focused and community-centred projects,” Mr Wood said.
Around 665 petitions were received in support of the proposal.
The Sikh community had earlier pledged to put in some more of their funds to build ownership of these creative projects.
S. Jatinder Singh Uppal donated $170,000, meaning the Officer Sikh community now has $510,000 to spend on these community focused projects.
Officer Sikh Gurdwara has earlier received funding from Stronger Communities Program, Pick my Project and Melbourne Water.
There was a big congregation who cheered the announcement with traditional Sikh slogans- Bole So Nihal.
This announcement was also covered by local Indian magazines and television media.
