History

Our business origins can be traced back nearly 100 years to 1909 and AWA has a proud tradition of technological 1st’s in Australia including:

1909: Australasian Wireless Limited [AWL] commences operations as the Telefunken agent for the new technology of wireless.
 
1913: AWL mergers with the local Marconi business to form Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited
 
1918: The 1st radio broadcast from the UK to Australia is received by AWA with the Prime Minister, Billy Hughes, praising the troops he has just inspected on the Western Front.
 
1930: AWA opens Australia up to the world by transmitting the 1st news pictures from Sydney to London.
 
1954: AWA provides the 1st TV broadcast in Australia
 
1975: AWA helps bring Australia into the Information Age when the 1st PICK Mini computer system is introduced into the market.
 
1982: AWA sets up a computer service arm.
 
1989: AWA Computer Support Services is established as an independent business unit.
 
2001: AWA is acquired by Jupiters Limited, which is in turn, acquired by Tabcorp.
 
2004: AWA is once again under independent ownership!
 

History Repeats Itself!
 
These two photographs represent an exquisite example of history repeating itself!

The sepia photograph (left) which hangs in the AWA Boardroom, captures the 21 October 1915 meeting of AWA Directors C. P. Bartholomew, Hugh Denison (Executive Chairman), J. M. Jollie and Ernest T Fisk (Managing Director). The modern photograph (below) was taken during the 21 April 2005 meeting of AWA Directors Mark Rainbird (Managing Director), John Dougall (Executive Chairman), Robert Moran and Michael Brogan. Robert Moran has in front of him the Board Minutes book, opened at the page which records the 21 October 1915 meeting – the same Minutes book can be seen in the 1915 photograph on the board table beside the right arm of Hugh Denison.
 

The 21 October 1915 meeting minutes record the fact that the Board requested Ernest Fisk to travel to London in order to explore new business opportunities for the 2 year old AWA. The 21 April 2005 meeting focused on what John Dougall and Mark Rainbird were doing to win new business for the “new AWA”. The two meetings were held almost 90 years apart - from a Board focus … nothing changes!