The Geographical Association of Western Australia’s (GAWA) main objective is to encourage, in various ways, the advancement, education, promotion and practice of the science of geography in Western Australia. It does this by providing an organisation and forum for teachers, students and practitioners of geography to share knowledge, ideas, opinions and activities about the science of geography and geographical education.
Since its formation in 1973, GAWA has been serving teachers of Geography, secondary students and pre-service teachers throughout Western Australia.
Currently GAWA has approximately 250 teacher/school members. Teachers, who are GAWA Members either as Individual Members (teacher pays for their own membership) or through their Institution’s Membership (college/school pays for teachers membership), are able to enjoy subsides and discounts for many of its activities and resources.
GAWA Membership Application Form
The management of GAWA’s activities and operations is provided through its Executive Officers and a Management Committee according to GAWA’s Governing Rules/Constitution.
GAWA organises and provides a variety of activities including:
For Teachers:
Professional Learning Workshops – In 2024, GAWA has planned a number of professional development/learning activities for Secondary teachers and students.
GAWA News – with the introduction of our new website in 2022, members will be kept up to date with the latest events and news.
GAWA Socials – GAWA has a Facebook page and Twitter account. Our social media platforms are growing in popularity and provide a wealth of resource ideas and material for teachers and students. Check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/gawa.asn.au and https://twitter.com/gawa-geography There is also a link to our socials via our website.
GeoNight – a joint initiative between GAWA and Curtin University Geography academics to promote the study of Geography in Western Australia.
National Representation – GAWA is affiliated with a number of national and ‘peak’ geography and social science bodies, including the Australian Geography Teachers Association (AGTA).
For Students:
Year 12 ATAR Exam Revision Seminars – in 2024, two half-day exam revision seminars for prospective Geography ATAR Year 12 Examination candidates are planned. These seminars focus on exam techniques, how to understand and de-construct questions and how to formulate answers. All of these seminars will be provided both ‘face-to-face’ and online options.
Australian Geography Competition
This national competition is a joint initiative of the Australian Geography Teachers Association and the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland.
The top male and female students in Year 11 in each State and the combined Territories, are invited to participate in the annual Geography Big Week Out, which is a six-day event that focuses on fieldwork, spatial technologies and analytical skills. Australia’s teams to the annual International Geography Olympiad are selected from the students at the Geography Big Week Out. Flights, accommodation, and meals for participants at the Geography Big Week Out and the International Geography Olympiad are met by the Competition.
Geography Resources
Geography Texts – GAWA produces a range of textbooks and other resources for students studying Geography. New publications are published and revised to maintain their relevance to curriculum changes.
GAWA’s latest textbooks are:
Our new Year 11: WA ATAR Geography: Units 1 & 2, published in 2021 in time for the implementation of the revised Year 11 ATAR Syllabus in 2022 and a sthird edition of our Year 12: WA ATAR Geography: Units 3 & 4, published in 2022 for the implementation of the revised Year 12 ATAR Syllabus in 2023.
Both of these textbooks, written by local academics, geography curriculum consultants and specialist geography teachers, address the syllabus requirements for the current Western Australian Curriculum: Geography.
A Student’s Guide to the 2024 Year 12 ATAR Geography Examination, published early in 2024 is the latest edition of our popular annual series of ‘Student Exam Revision Guides’. This book serves as a guide to assist students sitting the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) Year 12 ATAR Geography Examination. It is a valuable resource for students who wish to improve their results in school-based assessments and achieve a high standard in the Year 12 ATAR Geography Examination.
Public Access:
GAWA maintains an office at the Crossways Shopping Centre in Subiaco that is open to the public and handles numerous public inquiries concerning geography syllabuses, teacher/student resources and general geographical information. GAWA welcomes and encourages its members to access the Office for assistance.
The GAWA Office operates between 9.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (closed Wednesday), but on a periodic basis and intended visitors should ‘phone the Office at 9388 2656 to ensure when someone will be in attendance.
Website – GAWA maintains a public website at: www.gawa.as.au This website has a dedicated Members’ Area where Members can access teaching/learning resources.
Professional Liaison – GAWA maintains contact and networks with a wide range of professional associations, commercial organisations and not-for-profit groups both with respect to geography and other related fields (e.g. cartography, environment, GIS, global education, planning, spatial technologies).
Contact the Geographical Association of WA:
Telephone: (08) 9388 2656 E-mail: admin@gawa.wa.edu.au Internet: www.gawa.asn.au
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1252, SUBIACO WA 6904
GAWA Office Location: Suite 27, Upper Level, Crossways Centre, 180-184 Rokeby Road, (cnr of Bagot Road), SUBIACO
President: Peggy Bakalis E-mail: pbakalis@stmarks.wa.edu.au