“Yes, they are going through a tragic period, but their willpower is very good. They are very strong internally.”
As community members seek support from the Longwood blaze at the Sports and Aquatic Centre on Pollard St, they are greeted with the fragrant smell of fresh Indian food and the warm faces of the Sikh volunteer group, ready to ensure that no belly is left empty.
By Tuesday, January 13, the group, based in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Langwarrin, had been serving food to the fire-affected in Seymour for five days.
The disaster food relief service, which is offered in regions as far as Queensland, is one of two ways in which the volunteers ensure “that nobody shall ever go empty-stomached”.
The group also offers a regular service in its region, running food relief nine times in six days, and even offering a home delivery service on Sundays.
While a significant aspect of Sikh culture is to give back, Mr Singh said a large part of the ‘why’ was also the fact that the volunteers were part of a migrant community.
“We have come to this country, and we are enjoying everything in abundance — the house system, education, freedom, freedom of speech, of religion — what is our responsibility?” he said.
“This is us giving back to the country, to the community, that we now call home.”
After wrapping up close to a week of ensuring the fire-affected remain well-fed, Mr Singh said the volunteer group had so far profited in ways that money couldn’t buy.
“We have gotten much more back than we were trying to give out — in terms of respect, in terms of appreciation, in terms of encouragement,” he said.
“People are saying kind words to us, they’re appreciating our services, and they’re accepting us as we are.
“That is a huge encouragement for us.”
