AMAR SINGH

Kylie Kwong celebrates the individuals helping to grow a stronger community. This month we meet the Australian of the Year 2023 NSW Local Hero, Amar Singh.

- ALLEY PASCOE, KYLIE KWONG 

This country is so much better, deeper and richer for having Amar Singh’s illuminating presence, his big heart and meaningful, powerful daily action. I have experienced the very best of humanity at local charity, Addison Road Community Organisation in Marrickville, in Sydney. It’s where a multitude of community members and leaders regularly come together to help tackle food poverty and advocate for human rights, Singh being one of them. He and his Turbans 4 Australia team regularly volunteer at Addison Road, packing and collecting food hampers to deliver to those in need. Singh, in my view, continuously puts others’ needs first.

There’s a saying in Sikhism, “Sarbat da bhala.” It means, “Welfare of all.” And for Amar Singh, it’s a way of life. “As a kid, I was taught to give back to the community, with time, money or skill,” says Singh, who grew up in India’s Punjab state. “When I was young and even though we had little, my mum would always help people in need and give lunch to people who begged for food. I credit the way I am now to my upbringing.”