Significant Events
2025
Fire at ALSWA Head Office
At approximately 10.30 pm on Tuesday 25th March 2025, there was a fire at ALSWA;s Head Office at 7 Aberdeen Street Perth.
An investigation found that the fire was started downstairs by a faulty paper shredder, resulting in extensive fire and smoke damage. The ground floor was destroyed and the remainder of the building, including upstairs, suffered significant heat and smoke damage. The building was unusable, inaccessible and dangerous to enter due to toxic fumes.
Laptops, printers, court robes, library materials, office furniture and general supplies were destroyed.
Despite the many challenges faced, ALSWA ensured that service delivery and court appearances continued. ALSWA is extremely grateful, that in June 2025 the WA Cook Labor Government approved a $250,000 act of grace payment for ALSWA, to support the vital continuation of critical service delivery.
Many staff are currently working out of temporary premises and it is anticipated that the refurbished office will be completed in late 2026.
2024
ALSWA Commemorates 50 Years
On 12th November 2024, the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA commemorated 50 years with a community celebration at City Farm in Perth.
Photos by Cole Baxter / Video by Callum Smith
2014
ALSWA Commemorates 40 Years
The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Ltd commemorated 40 Years with an event at Crown Perth Astral Ballroom on 7 November 2014.
ALSWA thanks and acknowledges all who have played a role in ALSWA’s journey, and the 400 people who attended the commemorations to share their stories and reflect upon ALSWA’s long and proud history of striving for justice.
The night included a welcome to attendees by then CEO Dennis Eggington, Welcome to Country by Elder Barry McGuire, MC’s Narelda Jacobs and Jim Morrison, Dennis Simmons on didgeridoo, Gya Ngoop Keeinyarra Dance Group, Urban Youth Crew, speeches from ALSWA Executive Committee President Michael Blurton, Professor Colleen Hayward, Associate Professor Ted Wilkes, Fred Chaney, Gningala Yarran-Mark with entertainment from The Merindas and the Yabu Band. The statue of Noongar Warrior Yagan was donated by sculptor Robert Hitchcock.
2012
‘Justice – A History of the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA’ was written by Historian Fiona Skyring and won the 2011 WA Premier’s Prize, WA History Prize and the Margaret Medcalf Award.
2011
Woodburnt Talking Table
Following on from the spectacular historical ALSWA Mural created by students from Central TAFE/David Wirrpanda Foundation in 2010, ALSWA commissioned a stunning wood burnt table the following year by the 2011 students, an initiative of Central Lecturer Peter Dooley. ALSWA was one of a number of organisations who commissioned a table, each individually customised. ALSWA’s table is a beautiful furniture piece that is proudly displayed in the ALSWA Perth head office. ALSWA thanks the Dardi Design Team who created this beautiful table.
2010
ALSWA Historical Moorditj Mural Launch
A historical mural spanning five metres was unveiled and launched at ALSWA head office on 1st November 2010.
The mural was created by students from the Central Institute of Technology and David Wirrpanda Foundation ‘Solid Futures’ program, guided by acclaimed Noongar artist Peter Farmer with Miranda Farmer and Central Lecturers Peter Dooley and Chris Hodson and DWF Mentors Dale Kickett, Alicia Janz and Eddie Brown.
The students researched ALSWA and its history and attended ALSWA workshops, to speak with ALSWA staff about the work of our organisation.
The mural was created during class time at Central TAFE in Leederville by students Gilbert Calyun, Jolene Farrell, Travis Hansen, Darren Hart, Megan Holiner, Devin Indich, Deborah Jones, Whitney Joseph, Jamie-Lee Little, Glen Miller, Karina Riley and Candice Nundle.
Moorditj Mural Legend – Left to Right:
- Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River)
- Aboriginal Flag
- Scales of Justice
- WA map (former ALSWA logo)
- Dispossession
- National Sorry Day emblem Native Hibiscus
- New Era Aboriginal Fellowship (NEAF) logo ALSWA beginnings
- Aboriginal Advancement Council building ALSWA early days
- Bringing them Home (BTH)
- Boomerangs
- Boorloo (Perth) City skyline
- Symbolic flame
- ALSWA offices in WA
- Boab tree
- Balga bush
- Thorny Devil
- Current ALSWA logo
- Torres Strait Islander flag
- Importance of Family
- Coming Home
ALSWA thanks everyone who was involved in the Moorditj Mural Project. The mural is proudly displayed in ALSWA’s Head Office boardroom at 7 Aberdeen Street Perth, and on the building’s exterior.
2006
Law Matters 4 Volume CD
During 2006, ALSWA produced a 4 volume CD set called ‘Law Matters’ which was launched in August that year at ALSWA head office in Perth.
The series featured 28 interviews on a diverse range of legal topics including: What to do if you’re arrested, Over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the criminal justice system, Prison Process, Domestic Violence, Restraining Orders, Move-On Notices, Rights of Children, ALSWA Services, Need for Aboriginal Sentencing Courts, Making a Police Complaint, Family Law, Important of Culturally Safe services.
Volumes 1 to 3 were recorded at the ABC Studios in Perth and Volume 4 at Walyalup Radio (Radio Fremantle).
The CD’s were distributed throughout WA to community radio stations, community legal centres, education workers, schools, universities, prisons TAFE’s and other relevant statewide agencies and ALSWA hosted workshops on each topic for community members in Perth.
ALSWA is grateful for the assistance of the ABC AND Walyalup Radio in Perth, who supported this project through the use of their recording studios.