The Prime Minister has joined the Sri Lankan New Year celebrations by honoring a decade of ‘extraordinary’ volunteer work by the Sikh community.
Sikh Volunteers Australia marks 10 years of helping Aussies in need during natural disasters by delivering food and support to those in crisis.
Anthony Albanese visited Casey, in Melbourne’s south-east, on Sunday to celebrate Sikh Vaisakhi with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Bruce MP Julian Hill.
Mr Albanese also wore a turban to mark the Sikh volunteers’ milestone celebration of service to the community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) wore a turban at an event honoring Sikh volunteers who celebrated 10 years of helping Aussies in need on Sunday
“They are doing an extraordinary job,” Albanese said.
“During the pandemic, they provided food to students who desperately needed that support. During the forest fires, during floods.
“Wherever there are issues facing Australians, we see the best of Australian character and there is no community organization that has done more than Sikh Volunteers Australia.
“We see them, whether it’s here in Victoria, or in Lismore, wherever there’s flooding or natural weather events, we see people putting their values into practice by providing that support to their fellow Australians who are in need. ‘
Mr Hill said Sikh Volunteers Australia had become a welcome sight for many communities affected by natural disasters.
Mr Albanese (pictured centre) took part in the Sri Lankan New Year celebrations by honoring the Sikh community at the event in Melbourne
Mr Albanese (pictured) praised the work of volunteers who often deliver food to communities in Australia affected by natural disasters
“(They have) become loved by Australians, not just here in Victoria, but in New South Wales and across the country because they live their values and have helped with natural disasters time and time again, the weekly food trucks,” he said.
It comes as the volunteer group is likely to prepare to head to affected areas in NSW following massive rainfall in recent days.
Mr Albanese said disaster assistance has since been made available to the 13 local government areas around Illawarra, Shellharbour Wollongong.
The Blue Mountains, the Hawkesbury area and other areas hit hard by these floods are also eligible for funding.