Amarjit Sing Pabla and Tarun Preet Singh from the Australian Sikh Heritage Association.
Camera IconAmarjit Sing Pabla and Tarun Preet Singh from the Australian Sikh Heritage Association. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey www.communitypix.com.au d479489

Riverton: interpretive panels to be added to Australian Sikh Heritage Trail

Jaime ShurmerCanning Gazette

WORKS are underway at Adenia Park in Riverton to add interpretive panels to the Australian Sikh Heritage Trail.

In June 2016, Lotterywest gave $149,635 towards the panels project.

The interpretive panels guide visitors from the historic WA Sikh Cremation site at Adenia Reserve towards Canning River via the heritage trail.

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The first Sikhs to settle in WA were cameleers in 1886, then hawkers, storekeepers and farmers, even some wrestlers.

Among these were 19 Sikhs who sailed from Australia and New Zealand to service as Anzacs in World War I.

Tarun Preet Singh said about 20 interpretive plaques will be installed and in WA’s Sikh population was about 10,000.

“This is a less read chapter of Australian history,” he said.

“This will showcase the social, cultural and economic contribution of the Sikh community and the WA State Cremation Act 1929 proves that even during the White Australia policy era the need of minority groups were also met.

“We hope to see increase in tourists to the site.”

Key project partners included the City of Canning and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

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