Melbourne: The New South Wales Australian of the Year award has been conferred upon Indian-origin Sikh Amar Singh for supporting the community impacted by floods, bushfires, drought and the Covid-19 pandemic, an IANS report in The Tribune, Chanddigarh, says.
Singh, 41, is the founder and President of ‘Turbans 4 Australia’ — a charity organisation that assists people facing financial hardship, food insecurity, homelessness and those impacted by natural calamities.
Singh, , founded the charity in 2015 following racial slurs and insults because of his Sikh turban and beard, a New South Wales (NSW) government release stated. He has won the award in the Local Hero category
Singh, a strong advocate of multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue, said: “A co-worker once told me I looked like a terrorist. While simply going about my daily life, strangers on the street have asked me if I’m carrying a bomb, or what I’m hiding under my turban,” “I wanted Australians to see Sikhs as people they could trust and turn to in times of need,” he added.
Singh, came to Australia as a teenager and said that he had been passionate about community service from a very young age.
Every week, Singh and his organisation package and distribute up to 450 food and grocery hampers to people suffering food insecurity in Western Sydney.
The organisation has also delivered hay to farmers experiencing drought; supplies to flood victims in Lismore and bushfire-impacted people on the South Coast; and food hampers to the isolated and vulnerable during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Singh and his group are also teaching people in cities across Australia about the Sikh community through their Turban Fest events.
“By tying turbans on other people, we create an opportunity to chat with our fellow Australians and show them that our turbans and beards are nothing to fear,” Singh said in his community website.
He was awarded Member of the Order of Liverpool (Honorary) in 2021.
In the past, Singh has volunteered during the Sydney 2000 Olympic games, Invictus games, and Gold Coast commonwealth games.
Since its inception in 1960, the Australian of the Year awards honours an exceptional group of highly-respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.
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