Twenty-one outstanding Australians have been named as finalists for the 2026 Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence, recognising their achievements, leadership and contribution to communities across the country.
The national awards, established by Sikh Youth Australia in 2023, celebrate members of the Sikh community who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen fields while contributing to Australia’s social and economic development.
This year’s finalists were selected from more than 100 nominations received from every Australian state and territory.
The winners will be announced during the third Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner at the Shangri-La Sydney on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
The finalists represent fields including agriculture, arts and culture, community service, professional achievement and sport, as well as the Australian Sikh Woman of the Year and Young Australian Sikh of the Year categories.
2026 Australian Sikh Awards finalists
Excellence in Agriculture
Manjinder Singh Grewal
Kamaljit Grewal and Agyakar Grewal, jointly nominated
John Paramjit Singh
Excellence in Arts, Culture or Music
Simarjit Kaur
Manpreet Singh Dhillon
Bali Padda
Excellence in Community Service
Harmohan Singh Walia
Ravinder Singh Sahni
Japinder Singh Sandhu
Excellence in a Professional Field
Dr Narinder Pal Singh
Dr Ajit Singh Bhalla
Captain Ravi Inder Singh Nijjer AM
Excellence in Sports
Hasrat Kaur Gill
Sukhvir Kaur, also known as Sukhi Bal
Gursher Singh Maan
Australian Sikh Woman of the Year
Bijinder Dugal OAM
Amritpal Kaur
Dr Sitanshu Arora
Young Australian Sikh of the Year
Maneet Singh
Navleen Kaur Sandhu
Hukambir Singh Kohli
Chair of the National Selection Panel Dr Sarv Girn said the exceptional quality of nominations had made the selection process particularly challenging.
“The quality of over 100 nominations for the awards has been exceptionally high, and the strong calibre of nominees made it very difficult for the selection panel to determine the finalists,” Dr Girn said.
“This is a testament to the positive contribution many Australian Sikhs are making to the communities in which they live.”
Dr Girn said the panel’s decisions were guided by two central principles: the Sikh value of seva, or selfless service, and the nominees’ contribution to the social and economic development of Australia.
“These principles grounded the multiple rounds of reviews leading towards identifying the 2026 finalists,” he said.
Sikh Youth Australia President Satwant Singh Calais OAM congratulated the finalists and said their achievements reflected the strength and diversity of the Australian Sikh community.
“I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to this year’s finalists, whose efforts in their respective fields are truly outstanding,” Mr Calais said.
“The calibre of this year’s nominations 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.”
Mr Calais said Australian Sikhs had consistently stepped forward to support the wider community, particularly during difficult times and natural disasters.
“Sikhs have rolled up their sleeves to help Australians at any given opportunity, and especially in times of need,” he said.
“It is therefore important we recognise the effort and contribution from these individuals and celebrate where they have excelled as role models in society.”
He said the awards were not only intended to celebrate individual success but also to improve understanding of the Sikh faith, identity, culture and values among the broader Australian community.
More than 300 guests are expected to attend the gala dinner, including federal and state ministers, parliamentarians, business leaders and community representatives.
Confirmed dignitaries include Attorney-General Michelle Rowland MP, Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for the Digital Economy Dr Andrew Charlton MP, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Stephen Kamper MP, Senator Dave Sharma, Kellie Sloane MP, Gurmesh Singh MP and Mark Coure MP.
From farmers and artists to healthcare professionals, volunteers, athletes and emerging young leaders, the finalists reflect the many ways Australian Sikhs are strengthening communities and contributing to the nation.
The event will provide families and community members with an opportunity to come together, recognise their local heroes and celebrate individuals whose work reflects the Sikh principles of service, equality, compassion and community responsibility.
About Sikh Youth Australia
Sikh Youth Australia is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit charitable organisation established in 1999 to support the social, cultural and spiritual needs of Sikh youth and newly arrived migrants.
The organisation has chapters across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Over the past 26 years, Sikh Youth Australia has developed programs focused on leadership, culture, spirituality, charitable service and personal development.
Its initiatives include summer camps, the Future Leaders Program, the Young Sikh Professional Network, Sikh to Give, Women in Leadership, natural disaster assistance, ANZAC Day parades and multifaith events.
According to the organisation, these activities have reached more than 100,000 people across Australia.
