KANDRA, Harpreet Singh

2022 Alumni Award for Community Service

Degree

Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Education)

Graduation year

2016

Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra is community leader and volunteer passionate about social justice, multiculturalism, health and the environment. He graduated from Federation University in 2016 with a Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Education).

Harpreet has contributed to numerous initiatives to improve health and wellbeing. During the pandemic he promoted hygiene and vaccination, developing videos to help reduce isolation and promote creativity, as well as organising several multi-faith prayer sessions to lift spirits.

Harpreet is a very active volunteer who has provided much support for those facing food and financial insecurity including the contribution of over 2500 grocery kits; the preparation and delivery of 2000 cooked food boxes during the Victorian ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown; giving over 5000kg of groceries to churches, volunteers groups and international university students; and establishing the Community Pantry with the Cardinia Shire Council where he is also a member of the Financial Vulnerability Action Team and Emergency Relief taskforce, and the Pandemic Relief Committee. Harpreet also provided relief in the wake of natural disasters including the 2020 Victorian bushfires.

In addition, Harpreet has engaged community groups with environmental work including the plantation of over 1600 trees and Clean Up Australia Day and World Environment Day activities. He has a strong connection with young people and regularly mentors youth.

Harpreet is a strong advocate for multiculturalism, addressing racism and building awareness of the Sikh and Sudanese cultures. He has run language and culture e-learning for children; and hoisted the Sikh, Australian and Aboriginal flags on the Foundation Day of the Sikh Temple, Siri Guru Nanak Darbar, in Officer, Victoria.

Harpreet’s compassion and commitment to improving the lives of others has been recognised with the 2019 Australian of the Year Award by the Cardinia Shire Council; the Federation University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Contributions to Student Learning in 2020; and being named on the inaugural Victorian Multicultural Commission Honour Roll in 2022. He has secured AUD$2 million funding for various projects and been nominated for Victoria’s Multicultural Awards for Excellence; and the Volunteering Victoria Award.