By Jamie Salter
Community leader Harpreet Singh Kandra is being acknowledged in the very first Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, recognising the efforts of individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to multiculturalism across the state.
The program focuses on local champions of diversity and the vital role multicultural individuals have played to keep communities safe and connected.
About 174 applications were made with only 28 finalists selected.
Mr Singh was celebrated for his work at the Officer Sikh Temple Gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (SGND).
He said he was “humbled and honoured“ to be included in the honour roll.
“I’m feeling very good and this is an award for all the volunteers who have been working with me at the Gurdwara towards social cohesion,“ he said.
Mr Singh was nominated by Alison Ryan who took part in the Cardinia Community Leadership Program alongside him.
“Over the years she’s always supported our work and I want to thank her for nominating me,“ Mr Singh said.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic SGND volunteers provided locals with vaccines, groceries and even recipe books.
Another stand out initiative is the Gurdwara’s planting days, with 1,600 trees planted so far.
A World Environment Day will be held on Sunday 5 June where another 250 trees will be planted at the Gurdwara with help from Beaconhills College.
“Our bucket list is always big, so we’re hoping to become the first Gurdwara in the world which is climate neutral and we need a lot of support for that,“ Mr Singh said.
An awards ceremony was held on Tuesday 31 May at the Melbourne Arts Centre.
“The award night was very well organised and after two and a half years where we haven’t attended big events like this – it was very interesting,“ Mr Singh .
“I started networking with some of the other inductees so we can find ways to support each others activities.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate the other inductees and all the volunteers who have worked with me.“
The Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll replaces the Meritorious Service to the Community category from the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s annual Multicultural Awards for Excellence.
It was created as a separate awards platform to further spotlight those who promote multicultural civic participation and the social, cultural and economic benefits of diversity.
