By Danielle Kutchel
The Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer – Officer Sikh Temple – has ticked off a long-held item on its to-do list with the completion of its new car park.
Construction was completed on the space last month, with visitors to the temple now able to enjoy defined car parks and smooth asphalt rather than the previous gravel.
There are 41 standard spots and two for people with disabilities.
The car park is also climate-proof, with the size of its drain infrastructure increased to cope with large flood events.
The cost of the carpark was covered by both community donations and State Government funding.
The temple was one of 15 recipients of funding under the State Government’s Indian Community Infrastructure Funds, receiving $285,000 for the project.
The remaining $65,250 poured in from the local community, who also contributed around 1000 volunteer hours to the project.
The carpark was officially opened on Saturday 14 August with an inauguration ceremony held via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Originally planned as an in-person event, temple staff quickly shifted the event to an online format when Covid restrictions made it clear the in-person event could not go ahead.
The ceremony opened with the Mool Mantra, the opening lines of the Sikh holy scripture.
Guests were given a video ‘tour’ of the new car park, which was officially opened – with virtual fireworks – by Bass MP Jordan Crugnale.
Speaking on the day, Ms Crugnale praised the Gurdwara’s creation of a connected, safe and welcoming community and their “countless positive contributions” to the area.
“I commend the Gurdwara for the tireless work you do as an organisation … to support the Sikh comm and Victorians more broadly,” she said, adding that the new car park would make the temple more accessible for the community.
Also in attendance were Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing; Gembrook MP Brad Battin; Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen and deputy chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission Bwe Thay.
“The State Government grant has gone to such a worthy, deserving cause,” Mr Thay said.
Gurdwara spokesperson Harpreet Kandra thanked the State Government for its contribution to the project and said the temple would now look towards its future projects.
