By Brendan Rees
Casey council hopes to light up Bunjil Place to celebrate the 550th birthday anniversary of Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak.
It comes as Minister for Multicultural Affairs Richard Wynne announced 18 organisations will share $200,000 to hold a range of events throughout October and November.
Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon successfully moved an urgent business motion at a council meeting on 17 September to write to the State Government confirming which landmarks would be illuminated across Melbourne and if Casey could be included to help light up Bunjil Place.
Each year, Sikh communities right across the world celebrate Guru Nanak – the first Guru and founder of Sikhism. These events are considered the most sacred in Sikhism.
The Bolte Bridge, the Arts Centre, Melbourne Museum and AAMI Stadium are among landmarks to be lit up on 12 November in honour of the occasion.
“It’s important that we acknowledge this really special occasion and hopefully we’re on the radar with the State Government,” Cr Stapledon said.
“We’ve got a huge Sikh population and the largest municipality in Victoria … we would love to be one of the cities that are a part of it.”
Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh community, with more than 52,000 Sikh Victorians recorded in the 2016 Census.
All the funded events are open to the Sikh and broader Victorian community.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Richard Wynne said he was delighted to deliver an election commitment of supporting Guru Nanak celebrations.
