About Us

Mission Statement

To promote and facilitate better understanding, closer relationship and mutual appreciation among the Burmese, Australian and other communities by Social, Welfare, Cultural, Charitable and Educational activities.

The Association has a membership of approximately 300 persons which is the largest such membership in Western Australia. With the support of these members we are able to advise Government and other agencies for the community’s benefit. It is therefore desirable that the Burmese community be united with one voice in order to gain the maximum standing among the wider Australian society. The membership support is one way of increasing our community’s standing.

The Association is governed by a Constitution and managed by 11 elected management committee members who are all volunteers. Committee members meet monthly to discuss the Association’s business and other activities.

Our main activities include a monthly Burmese food fete which is a very lively and tasty event. At these events all members of the community including first, second and third generation Burmese-Australians can be seen there socialising.

Social events and gatherings such as dances are held in community halls throughout the metropolitan area.

The Association is widely recognised by Government and other bodies and is regularly consulted on matters of migration, multicultural affairs and in times of natural disaster assistance in Burma such as the Cyclone Nargis devastation of 2008.

45th

The AGM of the Association was held on 4th October 2009 in the Main Hall, 275 Stirling Street complex and was attended by about 60 members.

A minutes silence was observed at the beginning of the meeting, in memory of Moira Minus who had recently passed away. Moira had been a sitting member of the current Management Committee, and had been involved with BAWA for a number of years. The Chair acknowledged Errol Minus who was at the meeting.

In the absence of Denzil D'Vauz, President, who was away with family in America, the meeting was chaired by Chris Manook Vice-President. However the annual President’s report had previously been recorded on video by Denzil and was presented on a large-screen to the meeting. The address summarized the achievement, experiences and activities/functions held by the Association through the year. It also acknowledges the unstinting volunteer support provided by the MC, and various individuals who have contributed to the huge success of the Association.

The meeting proceeded with a presentation of the previous AGM minutes, and minutes of SGMs held over the past year; and with some minor comments/discussions were accepted by the meeting. The audited financial statements for the year were presented by the Treasures Sandra Baker and Denise Alexander (part year). Some questions arose on the presentation of accounts of the Grants received through the year, and this was explained satisfactorily.

Tom Rees presented an update of the Building Project, which was currently focusing on a joint application by 3 community Associations (BAWA, Thai, and Sri Lankan), supported by John Hyde, MLA. Presently the project was preparing a Business case submission to Lotteries West for a Feasibility Study grant, for which BAWA was taking a lead role.

Life Membership awards were proposed, and overwhelmingly accepted by the meeting for Betty Johnson, and Tyrone Alexander. The award to Betty, was for her 'human-dynamo' effort in supporting/leading/co-ordinating the Seniors of BAWA, and her years of support to the Association as a member and a valued MC individual. The award for Tyrone was, for Lead-Announcer at the BAWA 6EBA Burmese Radio program on Sunday afternoons, and in supporting the Association over the past 23 years. Commemorative plaques were presented to Betty and Tyrone. Plaques were also presented to; Hazel deRozario, Tom Rees and Keith Wiltshire for past Life Membership awards that were carried over from previous years.

Reg Jones, one of our Members, was acknowledged and presented with a 'Thank You' plaque, in appreciation of his knowledge and IT work in setting up the latest BAWA website. Reg provided a demonstration of the 'bells and whistles' of the Website, and showed that the Website was being accessed by people all around the world.

A break for lunch of Mohinga was enjoyed by the members, taking the opportunity to mingle and socialize. On returning from lunch, the Returning Officer Mel Fialho, President of AAA, oversaw the stepping down of the current MC, and ballot election of the 11 MC members for 2009/2010 from 12 nominations. The members elected being: Bryan Alexander, Denise Alexander, Sandra Baker, Heather Durham, Robena Kerth, Denzil D’Vauz, Betty Johnson, Michael Hutton, Albert Meyerkort, Chris Manook, and Jeff Martin.

The meeting was then closed.

Subsequently. at the first MC meeting in October, Office Bearers of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer were elected by the MC. (See MC 2009/2010 Committee photo)

Our Constitution

Our new Constitution was ratified by the Department of Commerce in November 2009.

You can download a copy of our Constitution here.