The Buddhist Society of Western Australia held its Annual General Meeting on 23 May 2026.
Our Committee Reports, including our audited Financial Statement, were shared ahead of our AGM. This provided an opportunity to all our members to have a glimpse into the BSWA’s privileged financial position and 2025 activities undertaken by the 2025-2026 Committee.
Thank you to all who attended the AGM, and also to those who couldn’t attend, who offered their apologies and proxies.
A Special Resolution was passed to add a clause 4(3)(h) to the BSWA (Inc.) Constitution: To give financial support for the establishment or expansion of Buddhist monasteries or Buddhist centres, including retreat centres, located outside Western Australia, whether interstate or overseas, where such establishments are associated with the BSWA through ordination lineage and consistent with the overarching objectives of the Association. Additionally, to add an explanatory term under Section 1 (Terms used): Association through ordination lineage means that at least one of the instigators or leaders of the relevant Buddhist institution or community has been ordained with Ajahn Brahm or Ajahn Hasapanna as their preceptor.
A Question with Due Notice was discussed, proposing to establish a small working group (sub-committee) to develop an Ajahn Brahm Final Departure Funeral Planning Framework. Various BSWA member’s view points were shared for the new Committee to consider.
Ananda Thilakasiri filled the role of Returning Officer. Ananda declared that all positions were elected unopposed, apart from two positions that were without nominees. Rupam Barua stepped forward at the AGM to fill the vacant role of Ordinary Member – Dhammaloka Coordinator. The role of Ordinary Member – Communications Coordinator remains vacant.
The 2026/2027 committee members are pictured below with the committee continuing to be advised and guided by our monastic spiritual directors also pictured:
We would like to express heartfelt thanks to our departing committee members, acknowledging their invaluable service and unwavering dedication in serving the BSWA: Kseniya Lytvyn (outgoing President) and Sue Lee (outgoing Assistant Secretary). We thank and welcome back the three executive members and five (extra) ordinary members in the previous committee who offered to continue their service for another year.
Moving forward and with the support of our Venerable Sangha, invaluable volunteers, staff and members, we want to continue to make BSWA a wonderful place to learn and spread the Dhamma.
Premalal Mirihagalla
BSWA President