Promoting peace and harmony

*Sikh Volunteers Australia *
Dedicated. Committed. Humble.

Sukhjit Singh was there to help when the worst bushfires in living memory ravaged Victoria.

The dedicated volunteer spent 16 days at the Bairnsdale relief centre working with Sikh Volunteers Australia's free food van, offering three meals a day to evacuees.

Sukhjit was up at 4.30am to start preparing breakfast and often worked late into the night.

Volunteering is a part of life for Sukhjit, who joined Sikh Volunteers five years ago, in the early days.

The organisation aims to promote peace, harmony and multiculturalism. It believes people are all the same, regardless of age, gender, religion, country of origin or social status.

Sukhjit, a first-generation immigrant who is now an Australian citizen, lives these principles by volunteering at many community events.

"I do this to promote wellbeing and prosperity for everyone," he says.

"It's my responsibility to give back something to the community that has provided my family and me with so many opportunities."

Sukhjit perfectly balances volunteering with his personal life and busy career.

"I mostly do service in our free food van program," he says.

"We not only help people in need but break down barriers and help people come together to make a great multicultural Australia."

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Sikh Volunteers Australia will replace the oven in its food van and increase food storage capacity to serve more people in an emergency.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here