Bangladesh Australia Association of Western Australia Inc. (BAAWA) was founded in 1982 by residents and resident students from Bangladesh in Perth to foster and promote friendship, understanding and good fellowship between the people of Bangladesh and Australia. Over time BAAWA membership has grown as more and more people of Bangladeshi origin started to settle in Western Australia. At present, the association has over 600 Bangladesh-Australian families and over 200 students living in Western Australia.
BAAWA was incorporated as an organization in 1999, and the scope of its aims and activities has broadened considerably. As stated in its latest constitution, the association’s principle objectives are:
- To foster and promote understanding, and friendship between Bangladeshi Australians in Western Australia and the rest of the community, including Australians from all other ethnic backgrounds, through the exchange of ideas and culture.
- To collaborate with other associations and organizations with similar objectives to promote social harmony.
- To provide a forum for the members of the Association to exchange information, communicate ideas, and promote community welfare.
- To organize recreational activities including sporting and cultural events and excursions for members of the Association.
- To publish magazines and/or newsletters devoted to the interests and activities of the Association and its members.
- To facilitate all other activities conducive to the attainment of the objectives mentioned above.
BAAWA is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization. Activities include getting together and celebrating various occasions related to the cultural and national interests of both Bangladesh and Australia. The annual cultural show, often staged with a multi-cultural theme, is the event most popular with community members. The annual picnic and sports also draw enthusiastic participants, young and old alike. BAAWA also publishes an annual magazine, the “Shamahar“, providing an opportunity for community members to express creative talents. A directory of members with their contact details is also published and updated regularly.
Bangladesh Australia Association of Western Australia organizes
– Eid Festival and Puja Reunion
– Picnic and Annual Sports
– Music Concert
– Bangladesh Fair and Bangla New Year Celebration
– Annual Concert
– Bangladesh Victory Day
– International Mother Language Day
– Bangladesh Independence Day
Executive Committee 2015 – 2016
Sabbir Hussain, President
Naweed Omar, Vice President
Md Wahiduzzaman Khan Nipu, General Secretary
Syed Muzaffar Ahmed Assistant, General Secretary
Ashequl Hoque Joarder Raj, Treasurer
Kamrul Ahmed, Cultural Secretary
Bapi Mazhar, Assistant Cultural Secretary
Doyel Khaleque, Assistant Cultural Secretary
Dr. Shakil Ahmed, Sports Secretary
Ali Khandoker Rakib, Assistant Sports Secretary
Asif Akkas, Social Welfare & Communication Secretary
Mohsin Muttaqui, Member 1
Dr. Meher Marufa, Member 2
Abdul Ekram, Member 3
Dr. Goutam Sharma, Member 4
Sharif Ahmed, Ex-officio Member