History and Timeline
The Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Ltd (ALSWA) developed from the Justice Committee of the New Era Aboriginal Fellowship Inc. in the late 1960s.
The Committee comprised Aboriginal people, lawyers and others interested in ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had access to justice.
Timeline
Early 1970s – The Justice Committee set up a voluntary advisory legal service in Perth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
1973 – ALSWA was established in Perth with 2 lawyers, 3 Aboriginal court officers and one secretary.
1974 – The Justice Committee expanded ALSWA and set up an office in the Wheatbelt town of Narrogin and in Port Hedland in the Pilbara region.
1975 – ALSWA became a Limited body, governed by an Aboriginal Board of Directors and with a membership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
By 1983 – ALSWA was providing legal support and representation throughout Western Australia.
1993 – ALSWA got its first official logo.
2010 – ALSWA’s multi-award winning Law Matters radio program commenced on air on 100.9FM Noongar Radio. The fortnightly program is also repeated through the National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS), 6DBY Larrkardi Radio in Derby and Waringari Media in Kununurra.
2010 – Dennis Eggington presented the 2010 Jumbunna Lecture
2011 – The book ‘Justice – A History of the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia’ by Fiona Skyring was launched by the Honourable Chief Justice Robert French, the first chairperson of the Justice Committee of the New Era Aboriginal Fellowship and one of the lawyers who provided free legal advice to Aboriginal people from the Aboriginal Advancement Council. View gallery.
2012 – ALSWA was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission ‘Community Organisation’ Award.
2012 – Dennis Eggington (ALSWA CEO 1996 to 2023) presented the Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture. Watch video.
2014 – ALSWA commemorated 40 years with a Gala Dinner at the Astral Ballroom at Crown Perth on 7th November. View gallery.
2017 – ALSWA was registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission as a public company limited by guarantee on 10th March 2017.
2023 – ALSWA was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission ‘Law Award’.
2023 – Dennis Eggington retired as ALSWA CEO after 26 years and Wayne Nannup commenced as ALSWA CEO.
2024 – ALSWA commemorated 50 years with a Community Event at City Farm on 12th November. View gallery.
2024 – ALSWA’s new logo and artwork by Mumbulla Creative was unveiled
2024 – ALSWA CEO Wayne Nannup presented the Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture
2025 – ALSWA’s Head Office suffered a fire caused by a faulty paper shredder which rendered the office un-usable for approximately 18 months while repairs took place. View gallery.
2025 – ALSWA CEO Wayne Nannup presented the John Toohey Oration