The fallout from the petition opposing the name Guru Nanak Lake has shifted the conversation from parliamentary debate to what lasting recognition should look like for Victoria’s Indian and Sikh communities. Community voices are pressing for answers about meaningful investment, clearer consultation and a way forward that cools tempers without erasing hard-won recognition. The issue was taken up in Parliament on 15 October by Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans, who presented a petition opposing the naming of the lake.
Voting on 15 October revealed clear divisions across party lines. Three MPs—Ann-Marie Hermans (Liberals), David Limbrick (Libertarian Party) and Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell (First Nations Party)—opposed the naming of Guru Nanak Lake. Nine Liberal MPs, alongside members of the Nationals, Greens and the Animal Justice Party, voted in support of keeping the name. Four MPs, including Bev McArthur and Joe McCracken from the Liberals, were absent from the chamber during the debate.
Member for Werribee John Lister said the issue should be seen through the lens of multicultural recognition rather than political division. “Our multiculturalism is our strength. Our Sikh community embody the best of Victoria—through their compassion, kindness and generosity. And they deserve to have their contributions recognised and reflected in modern Victoria.”
Member for Tarneit Dylan Wight added that Sikh Victorians have long been an integral part of the state’s story. “Sikh Victorians have given so much to our state. Their contributions are significant and important—and they should be recognised in our multicultural and diverse communities,” he said.
The comments came as the debate around the lake’s naming entered a new phase, following a petition introduced by Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans calling for reconsideration of the decision. While the petition reignited discussions about consultation, others warned it risked reopening wounds in the Sikh community, which had celebrated the recognition after years of advocacy.
Former ministerial adviser Nitin Gupta, who has lived in Cranbourne and Narre Warren, close to Berwick Springs, said the debate should now end. “That lake in Berwick Springs has already been named after His Holiness Shri Guru Nanak Dev Jee, and now it needs to be respected and honoured. I strongly disagree with Ann-Marie Hermans on this issue,” Nitin said.
Nitin, who previously arranged visits by former Premier Ted Baillieu to Sikh temples in Victoria and India, said the discussion should now move towards education and awareness. “The Victorian government and opposition should come up with funding plans for building Hindu and Sikh museums in Victoria as well, so that general community becomes more aware,” he said.
He referred to Premier Jacinta Allan’s Victorian Multicultural Review, released in September, which mentioned plans for multicultural museums but did not include Indian, Hindu or Sikh representation. “Back then also I had raised the absence of any mention of Indian, Hindu, or Sikh museums in the Premier’s statement on multicultural museums, urging both the government and opposition to consider such projects given the size of Victoria’s Indian community,” he said.
“It’s high time now for both the Victorian government and opposition to go beyond tokenism, and address the need for Hindu and Sikh museums in Victoria so that there is more awareness about these communities.”
The official naming of the lake in 2024 had been intended as a gesture of recognition for the Sikh community’s contribution to Victoria’s social fabric—from community kitchens to flood and bushfire relief efforts. The project had involved agencies such as the Bunurong Land Council, Melbourne Water, and Geographic Names Victoria.
For many Sikhs, the recent petition felt like a reopening of old debates that had already been settled. Leaders described the renewed controversy as hurtful, particularly during a period when the community is preparing to mark Guru Nanak Gurpurab and Diwali.
Community members who supported the naming said it was a simple act of respect for a community that has long demonstrated compassion and public service. “The name Guru Nanak Lake represents the values of unity and humility,” said one local Sikh leader. “It doesn’t take anything away from anyone—it adds to the story of Victoria.”
Locals sympathetic to the petition maintain their concern is about process, not prejudice. They say the government should have done more to engage residents who already identified the area as Berwick Springs. But others argue that such procedural debates have been overshadowed by the tone of recent political rhetoric, which risks alienating multicultural communities.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
