Melbourne’s youngest gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (Officer Gurudwara) has received a major boost with federal Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood MP announcing $500,000 in Federal funding for vital security upgrades.
The funding will ensure that Siri Guru Nanak Darbar is safer for all users, by upgrading new lighting, fencing, ensuring there is CCTV and improving overall accessibility.
The funding would also go to the realisation of several projects such as multipurpose room, kids play area and library, and organic farm.
“I’m proud to have secured this federal funding on behalf of the Liberal Morrison Government for the Officer Gurudwara. The Prime Minister has been very clear about our Government’s commitment to protecting places of worship in Australia, particularly after the tragic events in Christchurch,” Wood said.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison accompanied by Alex Hawke, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs and Wood visited the gurudwara to connect with multicultural communities in the La Trobe electorate.
The dignitaries also visited the community kitchen where Morrison learnt the cultural way to prepare the community meal ‘langar’, especially the Indian bread ‘roti’.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the contributions of the Officer Gurdwara while referring to the three-page document of several initiatives compiled by Siri Guru Nanak Darbar. On his Facebook page, Morrison posted, “As the youngest Gurdwara in Australia, it was fantastic to see what a welcoming and vibrant community they have built, and to hear of all the work they are doing to support the local community. It is amazing communities like this, and all they do to support all Australians, that makes us the most successful multicultural country in the world.”
Community spokesperson Harpreet S Kandra welcomed everyone to the less than three and half years’ old ‘youngest Gurdwara in Victoria’. He spoke of the several social cohesion and community wellbeing activities organised by Officer Sikh Temple.
Children welcomed the dignitaries with flowers that had ‘thank you’ messages attached to the flower stem.
In his capacity as the Federal Member but also the Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Wood also thanked the entire Gurudwara for their support to the wider Australian community.
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Melbourne’s youngest gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (Officer Gurudwara) has received a major boost with federal Member for La Trobe, @JasonWood_MP announcing $500,000 in Federal funding for vital security upgrades. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/PpUOI3esQC
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