A LOTTERYWEST grant will enable the Sikh community to commence work on a Riverton heritage park dedicated to the Sikh contribution to the Australian national identity.
The $149,635 grant will establish an interactive heritage park based on the history of the Sikh community.
Sikh community representative Tarun Singh said the completed park would attract tourists and visitors to learn about the contribution of Sikhs in building Australian identity.
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READ NOWIt will feature a spiral pathway with signage about the history, and will cater for picnic needs of families and have playing facilities for kids.
“This site in Riverton will be redeveloped to showcase the history of Sikhs in Australia,” he said.
“The WA State Cremation Act 1929 is related to this site. Later on we will build an app and link all Sikh related sites across the country and this site will be the hub of the Australian Sikh Heritage Trail.”
Mr Singh said the park would have themes.
“We plan to build a pathway around the Adenia Park which will be marked with a few signs,” he said.
“Each sign will have a theme (like) Sikh farmers, Sikh wrestlers, Sikh Anzacs, Sikh hawkers and Sikh Enterpreneurs. Then there will be an interpretive shelter, with park benches and a boardwalk near the Canning River.”
Mr Singh said City of Canning had invested $35,000 building the pathway and Department of Parks and Wildlife would manage the project, while Canning will undertake the construction and subsequent maintenance of the site.
“This is Australian history. Australian history consists of 150 years of distinct and significant contribution from the Sikh community in shaping the present cultural and social landscape of Australia,” Mr Singh said.