When Australia opened its doors to non-Anglo Saxon migrants, it resulted in the formation of small welfare and ethnic association. The Australian Asian Association then took over the role of an umbrella organisation to cater to the needs of these groups and expanded its scope to embrace not only migrants from Asia but from around the globe. The Australian Asian Association today boasts of 98 member groups from Africa, South America, Asia, the Asian Sub-Continent, South-East Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the Islands.

In the early to mid sixties the Association saw a need to set up a "Centre" Through the efforts of the office bearers at that time, a small house was purchased in Ord St. which in turn was sold and 275 Stirling St. and 75 Bulwer St. acquired. 35 years down the track the visions and dreams of the founder members have come true. With a generous grant from the Lotteries Commission of W.A. a new complex, the largest ethnically diverse multicultural edifice in Western Australia, stands proudly in the corner of Stirling and Bulwer Streets - a tribute to the hard work of all the Presidents and committees who held office over the years.

Australia Asia reminisces the Past with its early Migrants

The Australia-Asian Association (AAA) was awarded a grant by the Lotterywest and the Office of the Multicultural Interests to document the History of the Association for the first 25 years since its early beginnings in the 1950's. The Association which spearheaded the welfare of the Asian Students in the aftermath of the Colombo Plan became the peak body for all the Asian communities, a role that has now extended to over 115 ethnic and welfare groups from all over the world. The fact that the AAA is a unique body in the whole of Western Australia is a deserving organization to document its beginnings, its changing composition, its phenomenal growth and the contribution it has made to the Western Australian Community. Included in this, we have also taken on board an oral history project of early migrants to Western Australia from the Asian countries, who were involved with AAA over a 25 year period.

We have selected the pioneers of the AAA, namely, the early migrants from Pakistan, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) India, Malaysia, Singapore and Burma. The illustrated story of the early migrants from these 5 countries will be the focus of the study. We are hoping to probe the experiences of these groups from the decision making stage in the country of origin through to settlement and finally to the successes and failures of their life in Western Australia. We are hoping to collectively celebrate their lives.

The enormous contribution that the Asians have made to enrich the cultural heritage of this State will be recorded in detail. How Australia has contributed to their success and how they have in turn succeeded in making their Home a rich multicultural entity, will be living testimony to the far sightedness of Australia. This research project is designed to be a collective celebration for the Australian Asian Association members, friends and well wishers.

Printed copies of the History are able to be purchased through the Australian Asian Association for a price of $10.