2017 is set to be an exciting year for the Australian Sikh Heritage Association with the expected completion of the Sikh Heritage Trail in Riverton and Sikh Anzac celebrations underway.
Association volunteer Tarun Preet Singh said it would be a significant year in terms of Australian Sikh heritage.
He said it was the centenary year of the ultimate sacrifice of Sikh Anzac Private Sarn Singh who died during the allied attacks on Messines Ridge in Belgium in June 1917.
He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his efforts in the war.
Mr Preet Singh said this year they would also honour Sikhs involved in WWII.
“Equally important is the 75th anniversary of Sikh pilot Manmohan Singh who died during Japanese air raids in Broome in 1942,” he said.
He said it was important West Australians knew the rich history of Sikhs in the state so this year it has been included in the WA school history curriculum.
“Australian Sikh history will form part of the humanities and social science curriculum for years five, six and nine,” he said.
This year interpretive panels will be installed along the Australian Sikh Heritage Trail in Riverton thanks to a $149,635 Lotterywest granted to the City of Canning received last year.
Mr Preet Singh said the panels would recognise Sikh history in Riverton particularly the fact that traditional cremations used to occur on the banks of the river.
