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Australian lake renamed after Guru Nanak
The Victorian government announced $600,000 in funding to support Langar events across the state marking Guru Nanak’s 555th birth anniversary celebrations.
Kilkenny emphasized the importance of place names reflecting the diversity of Victoria’s communities. / X/@Brit_Aus_Com
Australia’s Victorian government has officially renamed Berwick Springs Lake in Melbourne's outer southeast as Lake Guru Nanak in honor of Guru Nanak Dev , founder of the Sikh faith, on his 555th birth anniversary. The renaming ceremony, held on Nov. 9, 2024, was attended by Sikh community members, government representatives, and local leaders.
“It’s official! This lake in Berwick Springs is now named Lake Guru Nanak!” announced Victoria’s Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny in a social media post.
The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to “recognise and celebrate the significant contributions of Victoria’s Sikh communities,” according to a statement displayed on the temporary signage at the lake.
The signage also acknowledged the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land and noted that permanent signage will be developed in consultation with Traditional Owners, Sikh communities, the City of Casey, and Melbourne Water.
Kilkenny emphasized the importance of place names reflecting the diversity of Victoria’s communities. “There’s a story, an identity, and a sense of belonging behind the name of every street, park, reserve, lake, mountain, creek, beach, and public space,” she said. “Let’s make sure the names and stories of our places are as diverse and vibrant as our beautiful communities.”
Gary Maas, Member of Parliament for Narre Warren South, described the renaming as “a beautiful mark of our celebration of Victoria’s Sikh communities.” Similarly, Lee Tarlamis, Member of Parliament for South Eastern Metropolitan Region, highlighted that the new name pays tribute to Guru Nanak’s teachings of peace and harmony, fostering a “harmonious and inclusive community in Victoria.”
Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh population, with over 91,000 Sikhs recorded in the 2021 Census.
In addition to the lake’s renaming, the Victorian government announced $600,000 in funding to support Langar events across the state as part of the celebrations marking Guru Nanak’s 555th birth anniversary. Langar, a tradition of sharing free communal meals irrespective of gender, class, or faith, is a cornerstone of Sikhism.
Jasbir Singh Suropada, chair of the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria, expressed gratitude for the recognition. “Now that this lake will be called Guru Nanak Lake, the name of our Guru will be part of legal documents such as Government Gazettes and be part of history,” he told Australian radio channel SBS Punjabi.
The ceremony began with a Welcome to Country by Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown. “This land belongs to Aboriginal people,” said Mr. Suropada. “Being welcomed by them here and having a place named after our Guru is an honor.”
Meanwhile, the decision has drawn criticism from some local residents. A petition calling for the name change to be reversed has gathered nearly 1,500 signatures.
Despite the backlash, the Victorian government remains committed to its broader “Name a Place” campaign, which seeks to name 6,000 new places over the next three years to better reflect the contributions of underrepresented communities, including women, First Peoples, and multicultural groups.
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