The Hon. Michelle Rowland MP Announces Nominations Open for the 2026 Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence
AUSTRALIA, [18 May 2026]
The Hon. Michelle Rowland MP, Attorney-General of Australia and Federal Member for Greenway, today announced the official opening of nominations for the 2026 Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence (ASAE).
The national platform, established by Sikh Youth Australia (SYA), celebrates the profound socio-economic and cultural contributions of Australian Sikhs.
A proud and long-standing supporter of the initiative, Ms Rowland attended the inaugural ASAE gala in 2023 and the subsequent ceremony in 2024. Building on this legacy, the 2026 programme will culminate in a highly anticipated gala awards dinner on 29 August 2026, with nominations officially closing on 14 June 2026.
“The Australian Sikh community makes an integral contribution to the rich cultural and economic fabric of our nation,” Ms Rowland said. “From driving innovation in business to their unwavering commitment to seva, or selfless service, Sikhs consistently enrich our society. The Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence serve a vital role in formally recognising these unsung heroes and celebrating the remarkable individuals who dedicate themselves to making our country stronger and better for everyone.”
The ASAE highlights excellence across eight categories: Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Business and Enterprise, Community Service, Professions, Sports, Sikh Woman of the Year, and Sikh Youth of the Year. Nominations can be submitted by any member of the public for individuals across all Australian states and territories.
Satwant Calais OAM, representing Sikh Youth Australia, added: “These awards showcase the enduring Sikh values of hard work, equality, and community upliftment that benefit all Australians.”
For further information, category criteria, and to submit a nomination, please visit: www.sikhawards.com.au.
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Media Contact: Gursimrat Bawa 0481210020 info@sikhawards.com.au
The Hon. Michelle Rowland MP addressing the audience at the inaugural Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence 2023.
The Hon. Michelle Rowland MP presenting The Young Australian Sikh of the Year award at Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence 2024.
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Check out the coverage of the 2024 edition of the Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence.
24 Finalists Announced for the 2nd Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence
First national platform to recognise and celebrate Sikhs who excel and contribute to the socio-economic development of Australia.
Sikh Youth Australia (SYA)
AUSTRALIA, 24 July 2024 – 24 finalists from across Australia have today been announced for the 2024 Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence (ASAE).
Conceptualised by Sikh Youth Australia (SYA) and the Young Sikh Professionals Network (YSPN) in 2023, this national awards initiative aims to recognise unsung heroes from the Sikh community who have gone over and beyond in their contributions to the socio-economic development of Australia.
Winners will be announced at the second Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence on 31st August 2024 at the Shangri-la Hotel in Sydney amongst dignitaries, business professionals and community.
Spread across eight categories, the following 24 finalists were picked from a total of 160 nominations, with panellists making their selections based on the demonstrated excellence or expertise of nominees in the respective categories, all while upholding core Sikh values such as seva (selfless service).
- Excellence in Agriculture: Amarjit Singh, Jasminder Kaur and Balwinder Singh
- Excellence in Arts, Culture or Music: Gurpreet Singh, Harjot Singh and Parvyn Kaur Bennett
- Excellence in Business and Enterprise: Daizy Kaur Maan, Deepa Pasricha and Harman Singh
- Excellence in Community Service: Dr Sunita Siddhu Dhindsa, Gurshminder Singh, and Kulwant Singh Dhillon
- Excellence in a Professional Field: Dr Sukhwinder Singh Sohal, Robyn Kaur Saranah and Satvir Mand
- Excellence in Sports: Harjas Singh, Ranjit Singh Khera and Tanveer Sangha
- Australian Sikh Woman of the Year: Harinder Kaur, Kittu Randhawa and Santosh Kaur
- Young Australian Sikh of the Year: Ashleen Khela, Devraj Singh Grewal and Jasmine Kaur Renny
“I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to this year’s finalists whose efforts in their respective fields are truly outstanding. The calibre of this year’s entries and the finalists who have been selected will certainly make it challenging for our judging panel as one could argue that everyone is already a winner,” said Tarandeep Ahuja, Chair National Selection Panel.
“Sikhs have rolled up their sleeves to help Australians at any given opportunity, and especially in times of need. It is therefore important we recognise the effort and contribution from these individuals and celebrate where they have excelled as role models in society. This is not just to make them feel proud of their achievements, but also to create a positive and informative view in the broader Australian community of the Sikh faith and our values, identity and culture.,” said Satwant Singh Calais, President Sikh Youth Australia.
You can learn more about our finalists and their contributions by visiting: www.sikhawards.com.au
Gather your family and friends and let’s celebrate our heroes. Grab your tickets for the 2nd Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner at: https://www.sikhawards.com.au/.
Media contact:
For more information or event photographs, contact:
- Tarandeep Singh Ahuja , Chair, National Selection Panel – 0413 301 240
tarandeep@sikhawards.com.au - Esha Kaur Tiwana, Marketing and Media Representative for Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence and Volunteer at Sikh Youth Australia – 0404 548 300.
About Sikh Youth Australia
Sikh Youth Australia is a volunteer run, not-for-profit charitable organisation established in 1999 to service the social, cultural and spiritual needs of Sikh youth and new migrants. We are recognised as the peak organisation representing Sikh youth in Australia. From humble beginnings, SYA has grown to be the largest youth organisation representing Sikhs in Australia with chapters in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Starting from its flagship Summer Camps, SYA has slowly built a full suite of programs focusing on the spiritual, charitable, cultural and leadership development of the Sikh community. Today, these activities have impacted over 100,000 lives across Australia. This has included initiatives such as the Future Leaders Program, Young Sikh Professional Network (YSPN), Culture Care, Sikh to Give, Women in Leadership, Spiritual and Self-Development Workshops, Natural Disaster Assistance, ANZAC Day Parades, as well as multifaith collaboration events.
To learn more, visit: https://www.sikhyouthaustralia.com