The Australian American Association WA Inc. is possibly one of the most active Divisions in the country. Part of the reason for this may lay in the fact that we are most fortuante in having interaction with visiting US ships coming to Fremantle.
A few years ago it was purported that over 47,000 U.S. personnel passed through Fremantle every year. Perth/Fremantle has always been a favoured place for R&R since WW11.
One of the most important tasks for AAAWA is he “Host a Sailor/Marine” program.
Upon advice from the commander of the 7th Fleet that a ship is due to arrive we swing into action stations. A roster of duty for handling the phone and greeting the sailors from a booth allocated us on the dock. The sailor/marines and other crew when they alight from their ship are confronted with a large banner that reads “A Big Aussie Welcome from all of us at Australian American Association, Fostering friendship between two Great nations.”
On our “Host a Sailor/Marine” page you may like to register your interest. The page will display the type of offers made to welcome our U.S. visitors and the offers may be taken up just as soon as the ship is close on the horizon.
At our wharf side booth the sailors/marines can peruse the various offers which are printed out from the website and placed on display cards. The choice of offers is placed in set categories for ease of display. It must be remembered that in this modern age, sailors/marines includes females. For safety they always travel in pairs. That applies for the males too.
You may be interested in being part of our duty staff to assist at the dock with enquiries. Just email us on the aaawa329@gmail.com to volunteer your services.
The display board is often crammed with sailors/marines viewing the many cards. Although the common belief is that most sailors are merely intent on hitting the nightlife of Perth and Fremantle, reality is that most would prefer to experience an Aussie style family life. What is the most requested place to visit?
– It’s the zoo? Many just want to sight a kangaroo or a koala. Amazingly enough, they can’t distinguish the taste of our home grown game. So when you invite them over for a Barbie of rare emu steak or kangaroo cutlets smothered in redback sauce it may take them awhile to get used to the taste. After that, they are hooked!
On a serious note, during the visits by the US naval ships we arrange special functions for the US officers, local dignitaries and our members. Often in return, we are invited to functions on board the visiting ships.
Security is paramount. You may have noticed that we do not post the addresses of our venues on this website. Membership, on filling out the AAA application form, is not a foregone conclusion. The intending applicant must be nominated by one of our members and that member will be asked to verify an association with the applicant. However if you would like to join and do not know anyone here, you are invited to contact us. After a brief meeting a recommendation can then be made to the Executive Committee.
We are apolitical and our ages diverse. We have numerous functions from cocktail parties to house parties, and an annual Coral Sea Ball—to commemorate the Battle That Saved Australia in 1942.
Executive Council August 2009
