MELBOURNE: The naming of the ‘Berwick Springs Lake’ as ‘Guru Nanak Lake’, in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, has come under fire with local Liberal MPs holding a public hearing on the issue and the Sikh community launching a petition defending the State Government’s decision to honour the first Sikh Guru’s 555th birthday, by naming the lake after his name. And, the Victoria Government saying it has delivered on a election promise made to name a permanent landmark in honour of founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The 555th birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev ji, was celebrated across Australia, India and the world on 14 November, 2024. The celebrations in Melbourne were marked by prayers, langars (community feasting), lighting of Sikh temples and a pledge to carry forward Guru Nanak’s message of oneness, peace and tranquility.
To mark the occasion, Victoria’s Labor government named a lake on 9 November, 2024 at the Berwick Springs as ‘Guru Nanak Lake’, in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and also announced $ 600,000 funding for ‘Langar’ (community feasting at Sikh temples) events at many Sikh institutions across Victoria. This was welcomed across the board in different communities as a gesture that is in line with Victoria’s multicultural ethos.
But the lake’s naming has taken a political turn with the Liberal State Members of Parliament Brad Battin MP and Ann-Marie Hermans MP holding a ‘Public hearing on the re-naming of the Berwick Springs Lake’ on 19 November, 2024. The move seems to be to get the naming of the lake reversed as locals, reportedly, have launched a petition against the renaming.
The Public Hearing raises the questions if the locals were consulted and their voice heard, does the renaming mean renaming the Berwick Springs Estate, and if they were not consulted who was ?
Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh community, with more than 91,000 Sikh Victorians recorded in the 2021 Census.
Talking to South Asia Times (SAT), Mr. Harpreet Kandra, Officer Sikh Temple says there is misunderstanding on the issue:
A petition is being being signed in Victoria and Australia saying –
“After years of effort- we now have a lake in Berwick named after *Guru Nanak* and now the local community is protesting!!! *They need to understand that Australia belongs to everyone.”
The petition – https://www.change.org/Support_Multiculturalism-GuruNanakLake
SAT enquiries reveal the naming of the lake follows consultation with key Sikh community leaders and traditional owners and will celebrate Victoria’s Sikh community who have made and continue to make important contributions to our richly diverse state.
The Victoria government’s spokesperson says, “Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh population. The naming of Guru Nanak Lake delivers on a 2018 election promise to name a permanent landmark in honour of founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Nanak Lake in Berwick Springs was identified as a suitable landmark due to its positioning in the City of Casey, which is home to a large Sikh population.
The lake did not previously have an official, gazetted name – this is the first time it has been officially named.”
The Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council Inc. in a media statement said, ” On behalf of the entire Sikh community of Victoria and Australia, we extend our heartful gratitute to Hon Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt, and Minister for Planning and Suburtbs Sonya Kikenny for recognising the invaluable contributions of the Sikh community and honouring the profound legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This commendable gesture reflects the Victorian Government’s commitment to supporting and celebrating our diverse communities.”
The naming of the lake followed consultation with key Sikh community leaders and traditional owners and will celebrate Victoria’s Sikh community who have made and continue to make important contributions to our richly diverse state.
The renaming event, was organised by the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council and the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria with the Dept of Premier and Cabinet and inaugurated by Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister, Ingrid Stitt, in the presence of many.
This is a developing story and will be updated as and when required.
