By Alesha Capone
This was one of Star Weekly’s top stories of 2021. Here’s your chance to read it if you missed it the first time around.
January 26
A Williams Landing boy has become the youngest-ever recipient of the Lalor Hero Awards.
Eight-year-old Samarveer and his father Japinder Sandhu were last month recognised for their extensive volunteer work to help the community.
The pair, who have been volunteering with the United Sikhs for several years, helped prepare and deliver meals to people in need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
And last year, Samarveer touched hearts when he visited Werribee Police station dressed in his police costume after four police officers were struck and killed by a truck on the Eastern Freeway at Kew.
Samarveer paid his respects at the station, asking the officers present if they could hold a minute of silence.
Samarveer last week said he was “happy and emotional” to receive the Lalor Hero award.
“How I got inspired is that I saw my Dad work hard to help the community and I decided to work hard too,” he said.
Mr Sandhu said he started volunteering with the United Sikhs after meeting the organisation’s directors at a Sikh temple in Tarneit.
The United Sikhs, a worldwide group, provided food and meals to people affected by the 2019-20 bushfires and the pandemic.
Samarveer joined the group just after his sixth birthday, and is the youngest volunteer of all the group’s international members.
During the bushfires, Mr Sandu collected donations of food and essentials to deliver from Melbourne to Bairnsdale.
He also worked at the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House and an Indian restaurant to organise a community meal for 250 residents affected by the fires.
After seeing the impact of the bushfires, Mr Sandhu joined the CFA in Point Cook and is now a volunteer firefighter.
Mr Sandhu said that be enjoyed helping others.
“Once you’re involved you can’t go back – the love and support of people in the community is so much,” he said.
Mr Sandhu and Samarveer also volunteer at the Wyndham Park Community Centre and Uniting Wyndham.
Samarveer said he hopes to become a police officer when he grows up.
The Lalor Hero Awards, presented by local MP Joanne Ryan, acknowledge residents and groups who “go above and beyond” within the Lalor electorate.
