The Dictionary of Sydney
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WEA marine biology weekend, Newport 1929

WEA marine biology weekend, Newport 1929

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WEA Sydney

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The foundation of the Workers' Educational Association Sydney

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Adult education

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Workers' Educational Association Sydney

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Newport Newport Beach

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WEA Newport (David Stewart Summer School)

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WEA Sydney

Established in NSW in 1913, and originally working in partnership with the University of Sydney, the WEA was a movement founded to promote the higher education of working men and women. The WEA has since grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious adult and community education organisations in Australia and every year attracts thousands of students from all walks of life.

The foundation of the Workers' Educational Association Sydney

The Sydney branch of the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA Sydney) is one of Australia’s oldest and most prominent provider of continuing education for adults. It began in 1913 as a joint undertaking by the trade union movement and the University of Sydney to build a progressive organisation committed to enabling adult working people to gain a liberal education. Throughout its history it has been non-partisan and non-political, despite significant pressure from both within and without, and student-directed. The WEA's democratic structure has provided it with a strong foundation to meet shifting community and government expectations of adult and continuing education and to remain relevant in the twenty-first century.

Adult education

Workers' Educational Association Sydney

Sydney branch of the Workers' Educational Association (WEA Sydney), a not-for-profit adult education organisation originally founded in England in 1903 to provide ongoing education for working people. It began in Sydney in 1913 as a joint undertaking by the trade union movement and the University of Sydney and continues to offer a broad range of adult education programs.

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Newport

North-eastern residential suburb bounded to the west by Pittwater and to the east by the Pacific Ocean. Its name comes from the fact that in the nineteenth century it was a 'new port' for steamers carrying passengers and cargo, and sailing away with local shell lime and firewood.

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Newport Beach

Surfing beach on the coast north of Sydney between Bilgola and Bungan braches.

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WEA Newport (David Stewart Summer School)

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Residential centre or holiday camp established by the Workers' Educational Association Sydney branch at Newport on Sydney's northern beaches in 1924 for summer schools. The site was described in 1924 as 'the crest of a gentle slope overlooking Newport beach and within five minutes walk of Pittwater', The cost of the buildings was 7000 pounds, with much of the work done by the association's General Secretary David Stewart. When not in use by the WEA, the centre was used for conferences and meetings by other organisations. After his death in 1954, the centre was named the David Stewart Summer School. By the early 1970s the buildings had fallen into disrepair and despite plans for upgrades, in 1976 the site was sold.