In 1969 the first organisation of the Sikh community in Sydney was formed. At that time, it was named the 'Sikh Cultural Society'. it was registered as a Charitable Organisation with teh Government of New South Wales in 1970. Since that time it has been a dream to establish a 'Sikh Centre', which could cater adequately for the many needs of the Sikh community (Sadh Sangat) in the modern progressive society of Australia. The opening of the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship, prayer, meditation and religious congregation) was the first step in the fulfilment of these aspirations.
Since 1970, a number of changes and developments in the organisation have occured. In 1997 the construction works of the Sikh Centre commenced and PHASE I of the Sikh Centre was inaugurated. In 1983, the 'Australian Sikh Club' and the 'Sikh Cultural Society' decided to merge together and the name of the new organisation became the 'Australian Sikh Association'. A new constitution was drawin up to include the desires and objectives of both megring organisations.
In 1988, the ASA constitution was again revised so that it could be incorporated according to the Association Incorporation Act 1984 of the Government of New South Wales.
The basic Sikh principles guide Sikhs to perform Devotion (naam japo), Labour (keerat karo) and Charity (vand chackho). The Australian Sikh Association Charitable Trust was formed to fulfil these basic objectives. It would help ensure that distress, sickness and financial suffering in disadvantaged people could be releived by direct help and by giving them temperory residency accommodation.
In 2000 the ASA Resource Centre, a major project was conceptualised. The Resource Centre is an on going project and will continuously look at the needs of the Community and find resources (such as Government Grants, Volunteers, Information, Plan, Develop and Implement Projects etc) to fulfil those needs.
Some of these projects (for which resources are always needed) are:
Punjabi Language School
Library
Website
Conctruction Projects:
Car Park
Domes
