Victorian multifaith and multicultural leaders have issued a powerful statement standing in solidarity with the Sikh community amidst growing concerns over racism and controversy surrounding the renaming of Berwick Springs Lake to Guru Nanak Lake.
The statement celebrates Victoria’s diversity, which boasts over 200 cultural backgrounds, 290 languages, and 200 faith traditions. Highlighting the Sikh community’s enduring values of generosity and service, the leaders declared, “Your hurt is our hurt, and your strength is our strength,” while embracing the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
The initiative to rename the lake was part of a 2018 election commitment by the Victorian Government, recognising the Sikh community’s contributions. However, the renaming has sparked local debate. The City of Casey clarified in a bulletin that the change applies solely to the lake and not the broader estate.
In addition, the state government announced $600,000 in funding to support Sikh organisations hosting Langar events for Guru Nanak’s 555th birth anniversary. Local MP Gary Maas commended the Sikh community for their service and called the renaming “a celebration of diversity.”
Conversely, Brad Battin MP and Ann-Marie Hermans MP organised a public hearing to address community concerns about transparency in the decision-making process. Battin emphasised, “This isn’t about division but ensuring local voices are heard.” The pair plan to release a discussion paper inviting public submissions.
The statement, signed by prominent religious and community leaders, reaffirmed the importance of unity.
“We’ll keep standing together – shoulder to shoulder, now and always because this is what it means to be Victorian: united, proud, and stronger together.”
• Makarand Bhagwat – Hindu Council of Australia
• Usha Rani Gulapalli – Hindu Society of Victoria
• Victorian Council of Churches
• Jewish Community Council of Victoria
• Rabbi Daniel Rabin – Rabbinical Council of Victoria
• Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann – Ark Centre
• Viv Nguyen – Chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Bishop Phillip Huggins – Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
• Board of Imams Victoria
• CO.AS.IT. Italian Assistance Association
• Federation of the Italian Migrant Workers and Families
• Asian Business Association of Whitehorse
• Australian Multicultural Foundation
• Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria
• Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council
• Gurduara Council of Victoria
• Islamic Council of Victoria
• Greek Community of Melbourne
• Zee Cheng Khor Moral Uplifting Society
• Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District Inc.
• Cultrua
• Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council Inc.
• Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council
• Gippsland Multicultural Services
• Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council Inc.
• Casey Interfaith Network
• Reverend James Winderlich – St Johns Southgate
• AMAFHH Federation
• The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne
• Xuyen T. (Samuel) Pho – Salvation Army
• Reverend David Fotheringham – Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
• The Right Reverend Dr Paul Barker – Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Jumbunna Episcopate
• Australian Intercultural Society
• Reverend Dr. Margaret Mayman – St Michael’s Uniting Church, Melbourne
• Sikh Volunteers Australia
Leaders from Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Sikh, and multicultural organisations joined the call for solidarity, underscoring the shared values that define Victoria.
Support Our Journalism
The global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today—with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors—is doing just that. Sustaining this requires support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/TheAusToday
