'Recognition of a legacy': Sikh Lane unveiled in Dongara to honour early Sikh settlers of Western Australia

A street in Western Australia has been officially named ‘Sikh Lane’ in the Dongara region, 351 km from Perth, to pay tribute to the contributions of WA’s Sikh pioneers. Sojan Singh, Rur Singh and Pola Singh were among the early Sikh migrants who lived and worked in the Dongara and Geraldton regions in the early 1900s.

In an effort to honour the contribution of early Sikh settlers of Western Australia, a street to be named as 'Sikh Lane' in Dongara, 351 km northwest of Perth.

Key Points

• A street in Western Australia has been named in honour of the Sikh community.
• Around 200 people attended the ‘Sikh Lane’ unveiling ceremony.

A street in Dongara, in Western Australia’s Mid West, has officially been named ‘Sikh Lane’ to honour the early Sikh migrants who lived and worked in the region in the early 1900s.

“This is not just a street name; it's a recognition of our people’s legacy,” says Tarun Preet Singh, who led the project.

The initiative follows the discovery of historical documents in 2022 that shed light on the area's Sikh heritage, sparking renewed interest and pride within the community.

"This naming tribute was only made possible with the support of the Shire of Irwin and the Irwin Districts Historical Society, which played a key role in preserving and sharing this local history," he says.

Mr Singh explains that the Sikh community’s roots in WA can be traced back to around 120 years ago.

"There are significant contributions of Sikh Australians who initially arrived as traders more than a century ago."

This rich history is found in the stories of early Sikh settlers, which are documented in various archival records.

Mr Singh says the Geraldton and Dongara areas were booming regions for the pioneer Sikhs of WA, including Sojan Singh, Pola Singh and Ruhr Singh, who all belonged to these regions.

"It shows that Sikhs have been making a positive contribution to society for over 100 years."

“The connection the Dongara community has made with its Sikh history is truly heartening," Mr Singh says.

Hear the full interview via the podcast link at the top.

Disclaimer: The interview with Tarun Preet Singh was conducted prior to the official naming of the street.

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