'Woopi' celebrates Australia's Sikh heritage
10 April 2009
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, today paid homage to Sikh Australians on the eve of one of their largest gatherings this weekend and ahead of Khalsa Day and Vaisakhi celebrations.
Coffs Harbour and nearby Woolgoolga, which is affectionately known to
locals as 'Woopi', will play host to the 22nd
Sikh Games over the Easter weekend.
See: 22nd
Sikh Games
Australia's 27 000-strong Sikh communities are scattered around Australia and unite once a year through sporting and social activities and the celebration of Punjabi culture.
'Many Sikh Australians in this area are descendents of the Sikhs from the Punjab region of India who settled here more than a century ago,' Mr Ferguson said.
'Through sheer determination, hard work and resilience, the Sikh community has thrived and are very much an integral part of Australia.
'Sikh Australians have also played a very significant role during both world wars as part of Australian and other Commonwealth forces, where their reputation is legendary.'
In addition to the Sikh Games, Woopi will also play host to the fourth
annual Curryfest on Monday,
a celebration which brings the Coffs Harbour community together.
See: Curryfest
Festivities continue with Khalsa Day, commemorating the founding of the Sikh order of the Khalsa in 1699, which gives Sikhs their identity and Vaisakhi, a longstanding harvest festival.
'I wish all competitors in the Sikh Games good luck and also my best wishes to Australia's Sikh community on Khalsa Day and Vaisakhi,' Mr Ferguson said.
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09021.htm
Last update: 14 April 2009 at 11:49 AEST