About SAWA
The Sikh Association of Western Australia (SAWA) caters for religious, educational, social and welfare needs of Sikhs living in Western Australia. SAWA was officially registered on 13th August, 1975.
Back in the 70's there were no more than a dozen Sikhs in Perth and they realized a need for an organization that would co-ordinate and cater for these needs and for the students who were studying in Perth universities.
Initially, they used to get-together once a month at each other homes to hold religious ceremonies and social functions. With time, the membership grew and religious ceremonies were moved to community halls.
The WA Migrant Center, Maylands Community Hall and Australia-Asian Association’s hall were common venues for these events.
Since its incorporation, SAWA has had a dream to find a permanent home and in 1985 this dream came true when SAWA purchased a small church in Kensington. At that time there were less than 50 families and the place was ideal for the size of the Sikh community.
Before long we found ourselves being squeezed for space. It did not take us long to realize that we needed move to a bigger and better facility
In 1996, the SAWA Executive Committee proposed setting up a separate committee to be named as the Land and Building Committee. The aim of this committee was to acquire and develop facilities for a broader Sikh base in Perth .
In 1997, the Land and Building Committee purchased 5 acres of property at Canning Vale and had it successfully zoned for a 'place of worship' and community use.
The total cost of this project to date is close to $1.7 million. Most of this was raised through donations from Sikh communityies in Western Australia , Interstate and overseas.
The new Gurudwara caters for the needs of over 500 families of Sikh community.
SAWA has appointed Giani Jasvinder Singh Ji to look after the premises of the Gurudwara in Canning Vale.
Did you know?
Sikhs first arrived in Australia at least 180 years ago.
A significant number of cameleers (also known as the afghans") that helped open up central Australia were Sikhs.
Most hawkers and peddlers during Australia's formative years were the much loved and adored travelling Sikhs.
The Sikhs were very active with the wrestling circuit all over Australia in the early part of the 20th century.
There are quite possibly hundreds of sikh cremation sites across rural Australia. As cremation was not allowed in most Australian states at that time, the continuing cremation by Sikhs brought about a change in the law in most states across Australia which benefited many other communities as well.
Sikhs and Australians fought together on the same side in Gallipoli with at least 16 Sikhs enlisting and serving in the Australian Imperial Force for World War 1.
A Sikh pilot died on Australian soil in WWII Flying Officer Manmohan Singh died in Broome, Western Australia on 3 March 1942 fighting for the Allied forces.
83,005 turban wearing Sikh Soldiers were killed with 109,045 wounded in the last two World Wars.
**Facts on Sikhism**
Sikh is the world's 5th largest religion, after Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Is a distinct and unique religion on its own, not a sect of Hinduism or Islam
A religion which originated during the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia
Existance of one God
Guru Granth Sahib Ji - The Spiritual Scripture of Sikhs
'Sikh' in Punjabi means 'disciple'
26 million Sikhs worldwide
-20 million in India
-72,000 in Australia (according to the 2011 census)
90 % of the people wearing TURBANS in Australia are Sikhs.
Male Sikhs have "Singh (Lion), and female Sikhs have "Kaur" (princess) as their middle or last name.
Note-worthy Personalities & Items from this Era
First Recorded Sikh
The earliest recorded evidence of a Sikh being in W.A. was Pal Singh who arrived in Perth in 1886. He was a camel owner and settled in Wyndham.
Ghantowns
In was normal for cameleers who came here to live close to one another. As they were known as Afghans, these areas became known as Ghantowns. In W.A. there was an established Ghantown in Coolgardie. Around Perth there was no single area but many stayed in East Perth, North Perth and around Fremantle.
Massa Singh
A camel driver who lived in Leederville in 1896. He was one of the applicants for the cremation grounds. He died in Perth and would, most likely, been cremated at the Riverton cremation grounds.
Buttan Singh
Arrived from the Punjab in 1900. He was a professional wrestler and athlete. He too died in Perth.
Sunder Singh
He was a trader who travelled in the Great Southern. He had a store in Cranbrook and died in 1941.
Herman Singh
He was a hawker who traded in a horse-drawn wagon in the Albany-Bunbury region with his brother, Nahel Singh. He was well respected and known as ‘Gentleman Singh’. His wagon was drawn by two horses, one of which tended go berserk at times. On one such occasion, Herman was driving the wagon near Wilgarrup River when the horse went berserk and bolted. His wagon over-turned and killed him. His brother, Nahel, cremated him at Deeside and the spot is marked by a post and rail grave.
Nahel Singh
Herman’s brother who returned to India, taking Herman’s ashes. He returned to W.A. 20 years later and rebuilt the grave as it stands now. After his retirement he lived in a two-room cottage in Cranbrook.
Boor Singh
Also known as Charlie Smith, he was a hawker in Leederville in 1899. He left W.A. in 1923 and Buttan Singh reported his death in India.
Veer Singh
A farmer in Wandering. He lived there in 1897.
Riverton Crematorium
Most Sikhs would travel around W.A. hawking their wares and would then return to India to retire. Some, however, were not able to do so and in 1932, the Sikhs were allocated a piece of land on the banks of the Canning River to be used as a cremation ground after a sickly Sikh immolated himself as he feared that he would be buried. The application for this land was made by Massa Singh and Buttan Singh. This area is now the heritage site.
Punjabi School
Punjabi school is run by SAWA at Canningvale Gurdwara sahib for the benefit of the community. It provides free Punjabi language education to children of ages 5-11. It is very important for Sikh children born in Australia to learn their mother tongue language. Punjabi is mother tongue of Punjab and also Punjabi is the language of the Sikh religion. Through learning Punjabi, the children gain knowledge and understanding of Sikh culture and spiritual heritage and develop a strong tie with Punjab, the birthplace of Sikhism.
Importantly, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi language and only through learning and understanding Punjabi that Sikh children can fully understand the rich Sikh History, Sikh Culture and the values underlaying it; Naam japo (remember God), Kirat karo (Work with honesty) and Vand shako (Share with others).
Punjabi school provides a safe environment for all children to flourish and welcome students from all backgrounds, and from all parts of the country. We aim to provide a holistic and enriching learning experience through excellent classroom teaching, extra-curriculum activities and strong pastoral care. We hope to provide the children with a secure environment to begin their journey into Sikhi, an understanding of the key principles that underpin Sikhi and the ability to learn how to apply these core principles to their everyday life.
Youth Section
Sikh Association of WA encourages Sikh children and youths to organize and involve in religious, cultural, social and sporting activities and events.
The aim is to:
1\. To provide teaching about Sikhism to the youth so they can develop a better understanding of their religion that will enable them to identify themselves as Sikhs and will hopefully guide them to the path of becoming Gursikhs.
2\. To organize events and functions to highlight Punjabi culture, as this is also an important part of our identity.
3\. To facilitate social interaction amongst the Sikh youth to foster a sense of inclusion and community, so they do not feel ‘lost’ and out of place amongst other Sikh youth.
4\. To foster goodwill between young Sikhs and other community Youth groups.
5\. To help raise issues concerning youth and bring these out into the open to facilitate open discussion, especially between parents and youth.
6\. Help young Sikhs in WA develop their identity into that of ‘Sikhs in Australia’ so that they can become socially responsible and contributing members of Australian society, whilst still being proud of their heritage, and being able to say with pride that they are Sikhs.
SPORTS
Sports have played a key role in the history of Sikh religion. 6th Guru Hargobind Sahib ji organized wrestling competitions and introduced martial arts to the sikh community. Guru Gobind Singh took this concept further after the creation of the Khalsa in 1699. He started Hola Mahalla celebrations in Anandpur Sahib, where Sikhs could demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles. Their military techniques, swordsmanship and fighting capabilities were strengthened. There were many other sports practiced like horse riding, running, and wrestling. During Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom, festivals lasting ten days were held every year. In those festivals, competitions in martial arts, horse riding, spear throwing, archery, and sword fighting were held
WA Sikhs have been actively participating in all sport activities. SAWA has been supporting various sports clubs.
• PCSC- Punjabi Cultural and Sports Club, was formed in June 2002. This club organizes sports and cultural events for the Punjabi community in Western Australia.
- WASSC: WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SIKH SPORTS CLUB was established in 2011.
- Virsa Club: Virsa Club (WA) Inc. was established in 2013. Since then, club has been working in association with SAWA in organizing annual sports events and other cultural events like Vaisakhi, ANZAC day celebration, NAIDOC, etc. They help SAWA raise funds for local calamities like bushfires, cyclones and help students or temporary residents in their health emergency needs.
- PUNJAB SPORTS & CULTURAL KABBADI CLUB WA
- PUNJABI SATH
Radio Program
The Sikh Association of Western Australia brings the Panjabi Radio Program to you in collaboration with Multicultural Radio and Television Association of WA INC every Tuesday Evening 6pm-7pm and every Thursday Morning 7am-8am on World Radio 6EBA 95.3 FM
To keep the program relevant to our community, we need your ideas and input, please contact SAWA Radio co-ordinator Amrit Pal Singh, Ph [0426 825 142](tel:+61426825142) or Studio, Ph [08 9227 5953](tel:+61892275953) or SAWA Secretary to give your valuable suggestions. We are in constant need of presenters, panel operators and volunteers and your participation can make a huge difference to the community. The Business community can use the media to market their products at very low price.
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