We deliver art skills courses to serving and retired Australian Defence Personnel through our annual art show and fundraising initiatives. With a rich history of support and giving and a sense of community intrinsically tied in the past to the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and today to the entire Australian Defence Force (ADF) family. Our first exhibition in 1971 was held at Campbell Barrack
s in Swanbourne. The event organisers at the time, the SASR Auxiliary, could not have known that they would begin an event that would see it become one of Perth's leading art fundraising events. In 2006 AAWA relocated to the historic Drill Hall at Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle. Established by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as the naval depot for Fremantle, the base was decommissioned from naval service in 1986, then reopened by the Army in 1987. Leeuwin continues as the venue for the AAWA annual fine art exhibition. As we head towards our 50th year of operations we remain as committed as ever to supporting the arts and defence community throughout WA, and forging stronger ties to the ADF community across Australia. Proceeds raised from our exhibitions are split between supporting the development of our expanding art skills and art therapy programmes, as well as continuing our legacy of donating to not for profit organisations in WA. We look forward to establishing exciting new collaborations and partnerships, while cherishing the old, so we may continue to support organisations focussed on having a positive impact on the lives of serving and ex-serving Defence members and their families.
