The Auckland Workers Educational Association was established, in 1914, like others in the movement, in the liberal-humanist tradition 'to educate for democracy' and 'civilise the workers', focusing on the industrial, social and political problems of the day.
Some key events in our history:
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1903 WEA established in England
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1914 WEA established in Auckland
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1915 flourishing tutorial programme
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1920 Michael Savage is AWEA President
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1970s shift from academic to community courses
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1980s government funding cut, then ended altogether
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1986 bought premises in Grey Lynn
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1999 Grey Lynn house sold
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2004 established office in Ōtara
Over many years, the AWEA accumulated enough funds to purchase its own building at 131A Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn.
When the government cut off all funding to WEAs, it was increasingly difficult to maintain a large enough programme of educational activities to warrant the work required to maintain an old villa.
Therefore, the building was sold and the AWEA charitable trust was established to manage the funds. The return on that investment is partly used to maintain its real value and partly to support community education activities consistent with the Trust's objectives (same as for the incorporated society).
P.O. Box 78-338