History

Genesis of Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council (VSGC)

11 June
On 11 June, Mr Gurdarshan Singh and Mr Piara Singh representing the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria (SICV) met Mr Hakan Akyol, Director Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC), and Mr Ed Quin, Manager Policy and Projects at OMAC. This was the result of a Sikh Response to Federation of Indian Origin Multi-faith Organizations Inc (FIMO) Strategic Proposal that was cc’ed to OMAC on 1 June 2014.
6 June 2014
By 6 June 2014 SICV had obtained signed endorsements from 6 Gurduaras explicitly nominating SICV to represent the Sikh community of Victoria.
12 June 2014
Subsequently, on 12 June 2014, a request for funding to set up a Gurduara Council was sent to OMAC.


23 August 2014
On Saturday 23 August 2014, Mr Hakan Akyol and Ms Dana Krause (Senior Policy Officer OMAC) met various representatives from Gurduaras in Victoria at Blackburn Gurduara, where they discussed the formation of a Gurduara Council.
September 2014
In September 2014, OMAC provided initial funding of $28,000 to SICV for the establishment of a Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council (VSGC) in Victoria. On 23 December 2015 an unsolicited $9,000 was further allocated by OMAC for this project. At the time when the grant was offered by OMAC, a “Gurduara Council” consisting of representatives from 6 Gurduara Management Committees was already meeting on a regular basis. The basis of defining membership for the “Gurduara Council” was where the Gurduara was a registered body with financial members and had a constitution. Financial members of the Gurduara vote to elect the Management committee.
The Victorian State Government recognising the importance of supporting the emerging needs of this community and provided funding (under Community Harmony Program) to enable SICV to undertake the following activities in the project: 1. Governance and Organisation Development 2. Organisational Planning 3. Financial Planning 4. Collaboration and Partnership
July 2014
In July 2014, representatives of six Victorian Gurduara Management committees appointed a project team: • Mr Piara Singh – Chairperson of SICV • Mr Gurdarshan Singh Gill – SICV Executive Member • Mr Jang Bahadur Singh Pannu – Secretariat of Victorian Gurduara Committee group to manage the project and correspond with OMAC, with SICV accountable for all funding administration.
September 2014
In September 2014, SICV employed the services of Ms Jatinder Kaur (JK Diversity Consultants). Ms Kaur undertook community consultation and engagement, capacity development with Sikh community members and the existing established Sikh Gurduara’s across Victoria.
October 2014
In October 2014, SICV also engaged the services of Mrs Gurprem Kaur (a financial accountant) to undertake the financial analysis and planning for the establishment of VSGC. Ms Sangeeta Thaker, an accredited Law Specialist, undertook work on drafting the Constitution.
The first election of VSGC committee members was finalised on the 26th July 2015. The following were unanimously elected:

1. President – S. Gurdeep Singh Matharoo: Craigieburn
2. Secretary – S. Arwinder Pal Singh: Tarneit
3. Treasurer – Dr Sarbjit Singh Giddey: Blackburn
4. Member – Dr Tirlochan Singh: Keysborough
5. Member – Dr Malwinder Singh Pandher: Shepparton

However due to changes in the Gurduara Committees and as per the Constitution the following formed the first working committee:

1. President – S. Gurmit Singh Randhawa: Craigieburn
2. Secretary – Dr Sarbjit Singh Giddey: Blackburn
3. Treasurer – S. Hardev Singh Gurm: Tarneit
4. Member – S. Hermail Singh: Keysborough
5. Member – S. Gurmeet Singh Benipal: Shepparton
6. Member – S. Jasbir Singh Suropada: SICV

The VSGC was registered with an ABN number on 6th August 2015.
The final sign off of the project acknowledged by OMAC with regards to acquittal of funds was on 13 June 2017 as per the agreement.

Genesis of Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council (VSGC)

From Left to Right – Sitting ( VSGC First Committee) – Dr Trlochan Singh, Member, S Arwinder Pal Singh, Secretary, S Gurdeep Singh Matharoo, President, Dr Sarabjit Singh Gidday, Treasurer  and Dr Malwinder Singh Pandher, Member 

Left to Right – Standing – Manjit Singh,Balwinder Singh, Piara Singh, Project Chair, Dr Gurdarshan Singh Gill, Project member, Harpreet Mann, Kawalpreet Singh & Jang Bahadur Singh Pannu, Project Member.