Our story began on 29 March 1995 when Frank O’Donoghue organized a meeting to discuss the need for a Welfare Organization in Sydney.

Frank, a Tipperary man, identified a great need within the Irish Community.  A committee was formed with Frank as Chairperson to set up the IAWB.  Much guidance and advice was received from Phyllis McGrath – a lady who was very involved in setting up and running Melbourne Australian Irish Welfare Bureau.

After much planning the IAWB was incorporated on 22 May 1995.

It was and still is run by a committee of nine people.

The committee saw the need for this organization among all Irish people from backpackers to the seniors.

Important Events since then…

In 1996 the IAWB purchased 24 graves at Rookwood cemetery.  To date there 27 people are interred there.

April 1996 Phil & Catherine Plunkett, founder members decided that they would resign from the IAWB NSW and establish an organization – the Australian Irish Welfare Bureau in Wollongong to cover the Illawarra district.

May 1998 the IAWB opened a sub branch in Penrith.  This branch has an outreach for seniors ‘Tír ns nÓg.

September 2004 the IAWB was successful in convincing Aer Lingus to review it’s policy on carrying human remains on it’s planes.

May 2005 due to the increase in the demands on our resources it was decided that the IAWB needed a permanent base and also needed to employ a full time worker. Prior to this the IAWB was run by volunteers.

1 May 2005 the IAWB moved into temporary accommodation at St Patrick’s Presbytery, Bondi.

1 July 2005 the IAWB moved into premises which they leased from the Catholic Church.  They acquired these premises with the help of our Irish chaplain, Fr Tom Devereux.

1 September 2005 the IAWB opened an outreach centre for seniors in Paddington.

November 2005 the President of the IAWB represented Australia at the EAN conference in Dublin.

1 February 2006 the IAWB moved their outreach centre from Paddington to Bondi.

March 2006 Brian Cowan TD, Minister for Finance visited the IAWB centre

20 September 2006 the premises of the IAWB were officially opened by Michael Ahern TD, Minister for Trade and Commerce, Ireland.

June 2008 Cardinal Brady visited the IAWB centre.

June 2008 Bishop Seamus Freeman, Bishop of Ossory and the WYD Ossory group visited the IAWB Centre.

13 March 2009 Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and his party visited the IAWB

20 March 2010 Billy Kelleher T.D. Minister for Trade and Commerce and his party  visited the IAWB.