Just after 11am on a beautiful Sunday morning, the enthusiastic singing of Advance Australia Fair bellowed from the Shri Shiva Mandir temple in Eagleview Road at Minto.
It’s anybody’s guess what passersby would have made of the national anthem being sung in an Indian temple located on one of the highest points of this hilly suburb.
Well, they do not have to wonder any longer: it was all part of the welcome for Campbelltown’s latest local hero, Mandar Tamhankar, who had just arrived home after an epic 28 days driving around Australia on a motorbike.
The 50 year old father of two completed the massive journey to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian independence from Britain.
But as the operator of Guru Driving School, he also had a safety message for every part of Australia he visited: drive under the speed limit.
Mind you, Guru, as he is also known, told the South West Voice in Macarthur he saw as many kangaroos as he people during his trip.
“It’s a very big country and not too many people,’’ he said.
Guru was welcomed home by his wife and two children, his extended family and members of the local Indian community.
Former local federal MP Mark Latham, a noted supporter of the Indian community, also attended the celebrations of the completion of Guru’s trek.
Mr Latham made a short speech commending Guru for the massive journey around our country.
“It’s a very inspiring thing you did,’’ Mr Latham said.
Then, after a few more speeches, the Indian national anthem was sung, followed by Advance Australia Fair.
“I am very happy to be home among family and friends,’’ Guru said afterwards.
He revealed that his daughter had to fly to Brisbane to help him out when he ran out of blood pressure pills, but it meant he had company for the last 1000km of the journey.
He had two pieces of advice for anyone thinking of driving around Australia: “Please do not go by yourself and drive under the speed limit!’’
