By Shelby Brooks
It’s been five years since the first complaint was lodged against the Officer Sikh Temple during its planning phase.
But now temple representatives say the relationships with its neighbours are thriving.
Officer Sikh Temple Gurudwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (SGND) spokesperson Harpreet Kandra said in the beginning, neighbours were not happy with the temple coming to Officer Road and collaborated to stall the planning process.
“There were a lot of apprehensions about us and our activities when we filed our planning application,” he said.
But he believes that relationship has now changed for the better.
“For sure, we have put to rest all those worries by proving that we are ‘a community centre for everyone’, not just a place of worship,” he said.
“A few of our neighbours have visited us and attended our events, some of them have dropped jam and fruits at our centre and we have received donations of food, clothes and bread. Some have come to our centre for vaccination. We have shared Christmas cakes with some as well. And one of them helped us massively to dismantle old sheds.
“So our spirit of sharing and caring is being reciprocated in line with Australia values of love, compassion, mateship and social cohesion.”
In 2018, 24 objectors wrote against the development plans at the council level, however, they withdrew their objections once the case made it to the state’s planning tribunal.
The group’s main concern was that a green wedge zone was not a suitable area for a place of worship.
Officer’s Bridgewood Primary School principal Kerry Coffey said the school had a long standing relationship with the temple.
“We find the temple is extremely inclusive of all nationalities and religions, especially through their social service efforts,” she said.
Head of Year 9 at Beaconhills College Berwick Campus shared a similar sentiment.
“The Officer Gurdwara is a testament to the value of our expanding local social and cultural demographic. Our first visits to the Gurdwara as a school were not only enlightening but left our staff and students feeling they had experienced a genuine connection with the Sikh community,” Marus Roberts said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin, Pakenham Labor candidate Emma Vulin, Pakenham Liberal candidate David Farrelly and Outlook coordinator Tanya Bone were among other community members singing the temple’s praises for its five-year planning anniversary.
“We have contributed to the environment and biodiversity, made collaborative relationships with over 20 organisations, contributed during natural disasters and pandemic, hosted many community members, organised and participated in several community events and received several grants and awards,” Mr Kandra said.
“It has been a very fulfilling journey for me and our selfless volunteers.”
