The Victorian government has made yet another funding announcement before the impending elections in November this year.
A special $200,000 fund will be made available for Sikh organisations across Victoria to celebrate the upcoming 550th birthday anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
“A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will support our proud Sikh communities as they celebrate the 550th birthday anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, set to be held in the second half of 2019,” the announcement said.
Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh community, with more than 52,000 Sikh Victorians recorded in the 2016 Census.
Sri Guru Singh Sabha (Craigieburn) in Melbourne Source: Supplied
“It’s why it’s only fitting that we should also have Australia’s biggest and best celebration for the 550th birthday anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji,” Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said.
A re-elected Labor Government will also provide $70,000 to the Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council to make next year’s Vaisakhi celebrations in Federation Square bigger and better than ever.
This comes just weeks after $100,000 were announced towards the 32nd Annual Australian Sikh Games, to be held in Melbourne in April 2019.
Bharat Football Club at the 2018 Australian Sikh Games Source: Supplied
The Games, expected to attract more than 3000 athletes and up to 90,000 spectators, are a celebration of Sikh culture and traditional games, while also promoting health and wellbeing.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “With these investments, we’ll celebrate those many contributions and mark one of the most important days in the Sikh faith.”
Children at a Punjabi writing workshop during Vaisakhi celebration in Melbourne. Source: Supplied
