(L-R) Sikh Association of WA members Tarun Preet Singh, Parmjit Singh and Devraj Singh at the Sikh Heritage Trail in Riverton. Photo: Ben Smith
Camera Icon(L-R) Sikh Association of WA members Tarun Preet Singh, Parmjit Singh and Devraj Singh at the Sikh Heritage Trail in Riverton. Photo: Ben Smith Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Sikh Heritage Trail set to once again host annual cultural celebration

Ben SmithCanning Gazette

IT has been an important part of Riverton’s fabric for more than a decade and the Australian Sikh Heritage Day is back once more.

Held at the Sikh Heritage Trail in Adenia Park from 3pm-6pm on March 2, the event will feature cultural performances, face painting and more.

Sikh Association of Western Australia member Tarun Preet Singh said the event would celebrate Sikh culture and showcase the contributions of pioneer Sikhs to Australian history.

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Mr Singh said the event commemorated Manmohan Singh, a local pilot who was the first Indian to complete a solo flight between England and India.

“We try and share this with the community and with the guests. This is a not-so well-read chapter of Australian history, so we try to highlight this as much as possible,” he said.

“One of our Sikhs, Manmohan Singh, died during World War II in the air raids in Broome on March 3 1942, so we try to keep it as close to the date.”

This year’s events will be the first since the Heritage Trail underwent a $300,000 redevelopment and information panels were added to help educate visitors about the achievements of Sikhs in Australia.

“We gather here to remember the old, Sikh pioneers who helped the development of the outback. They were hawkers, store owners, active in sports, Anzacs and farmers,” Mr Singh said.