Kororoit electorate Sikh and Hindu communities
Ms KAIROUZ (Kororoit—Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Suburban Development) (09:45): In my own community of Kororoit, families and community groups have been active in fundraising for the bushfire appeal. I would like to particularly mention my good friend Gurdarshan Singh and members of the Sikh community from the Gurdwara Sahib in Plumpton, which raised $13 000 for the bushfire appeal. The Gurdwara Sahib provides a number of services to the community, including religious services, sports and cultural and social services. They provide camps for Sikhs in the north-west that promote multiculturalism and interfaith harmony and provide Sunday language classes for children. They promote women’s empowerment, tours for senior citizens around Melbourne and also participate in tree planting and cleaning in and around local parks. They have served food to thousands and thousands of people through their community kitchen in Plumpton, and most recently the Sikh community demonstrated incredible community spirit by raising much needed funds, donating food and clothes, visiting relief centres hours away, preparing food for volunteers and supporting animals who have lost their habitat. This is the true spirit of Sikhism: being honest, working hard and sharing with others, and this is well and truly shown during these challenging times.
I would also like to also acknowledge the Kundrathu Kumaran Temple in Rockbank and the Tamil Hindu community, who donated $10 000, the Sri Durga Temple in Rockbank and the Hindu community, who made a very generous contribution. I thank you all for your generosity and community spirit. It is up to all of us to keep working together to ensure that these communities can be rebuilt.