30 years.
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TAWA is the oldest Tamil Association in Western Australia and continues to actively promote the harmonious integration of Tamils together with their cultural heritage into the fabric of W.A’s multi-cultural society.Since its inception, TAWA has welcomed all Tamil migrants into W.A. and its membership has comprised migrants from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa and England to name a few. The common unifying factor has been the Tamil language, culture, arts and cuisine and these themes continue till today to be TAWA’s success factors in integrating the Tamil people from all walks of life in W.A. This is how it all began……….

Milestones	Events	Reigning presidents
Planting of the seed	In 1979, a handful of Tamils in WA gathered at Australia-Asia House to celebrate the Tamil New Year and Easter. After a night of festivities and dinner, the seed was planted to form an Association for Tamils of WA.
Birth of TAWA	On 27 October 1979, the Tamil Association of Western Australia or more commonly known as TAWA was formally launched at Floreat Hall to coincide with Deepavali celebrations. TAWA was incorporated on 1 May 1980.	Inaugural President: Dr T. Krishnan
The Eighties	Initially, members of TAWA only met on auspicious occasions for fellowship and cultural activities. Tamil language, music and dance classes were held during weekends. The radio program through Radio 6NR was launched in 1980. ……………………………………………………………….In December 1981, TAWA moved to its first spiritual home fondly known as Tamil House in Brisbane Street, North Perth. ………………………………………………………………. Many a religious, cultural & social events were held, such as Pongol, Navarathri, Deepavali and fund raising events for Telethon, the Hindu Temple and refugees of Sri Lanka.	……………………………………. 1980:Dr T. Krishnan……………………………………. 1981:Mr M.Sinnathamby 1982:Mr M.Sinnathamby 1983:Mr R. Rajagopalan 1984:Dr R. Rajagopalan 1985:Mr Rasa Subramaniam 1986:Mr A.R. Krishnan 1987:Dr S. Sivacolundu 1988:Dr S. Sivacolundu 1989:Mr Rasa Subramaniam
The Nineties	In 1992, TAWA moved to its current spiritual home, Mandala Hall in Bateman where TAWA actively continued to operate its calendar of events. ……………………………………………………………….. Tamil language classes continued & flourished whilst the Radio Programs increased to two nightly slots as ‘Tamil Oli’ and ‘Tamil Cholai’. ……………………………………………………………… Other TAWA activities included fundraising and charitable events such Telethon, Appealathon, a Swan River Cruise to raise funds for the flood victims in the North West, a Charity Lunch in aid of the refugees in Sri Lanka, Festival of lights celebrations, Dance & Music performances and fellowship nights.	…………………………………… 1990:Mr Rasa Subramaniam…………………………………… 1991:Mr C. Kangatheran 1992:Mrs A. Selvendra 1993:Dr R. Rajagopalan 1994:Dr R. Rajagopalan 1995:Mr Eric John 1996:Mr Eric John 1997:Mr K. Jegathesan 1998:Mr K. Jegathesan 1999:Mr V.Senathirajah
New Millenium	Various cultural and social events have been run such as the Murdoch Food & Fun Fair and in more recent years the Quiz Nite, Mothers day fellowship, Fathers day Tawalympics, X’mas function and the annual function for the children of the Tamil Schools. The annual ball continues to be a much anticipated event on the TAWA calendar. ……………………………………………………………….. Today, TAWA operates two Tamil Language Schools (South & North). The Radio Program ‘Tamil Oli’ was integrated in June 2008 with ‘Tamil Cholai’ and is now a two-hour program every Friday night on 6EBA FM. It has a loyal local and international following through the internet with listeners from as far as Canada and Fiji.	…………………………………… 2000: P. Nagaratnam 2001: P. Nagaratnam 2002:Dr Gurumoorthy 2003:Dr Gurumoorthy 2004:Mr T. Gunalan 2005:Mr T. Gunalan 2006:Mr Ravi Ravindran 2007:Dr S. Kunalan 2008:Dr S. Kunalan 2009: Mr K.Vijeyan