Blog 1: From Pioneers to 80 Years!
THE HISTORY OF AA IN AUSTRALIA
By Andrew T.
On February 28, 1945, 38-year-old Rex A was admitted to Darlinghurst Reception House, a psychiatric hospital. Rex, recently discharged from the military and hailing from a prominent Sydney banking family, had battled alcoholism for years. During his stay, he met Archie McKinnon, a seasoned psychiatric nurse who understood the grim outlook for alcoholics and was determined to help.
In 1944, Archie became aware of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) through an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Intrigued, he reached out to AA headquarters in New York and received a copy of the Big Book. Around the same time, psychiatrist Dr. Sylvester Minogue and Reverend Tom Dunlea were independently attempting to establish AA in Australia. Their paths converged, and they began collaborating, receiving invaluable guidance from Margaret (Bobby) B, AA’s dedicated secretary in New York City, who corresponded with Dr. Minogue and other pioneers during AA’s precarious early years in Australia.
Image: Rex A.
Rex A is recognized as the first AA member in Australia. Rex was part of a small group that held the country's initial AA meetings. This group included Ben B, a pharmacist, Jack R, a house painter and Wally, a window dresser.
While Ben B and Wally were unable to maintain sobriety, Rex became a mainstay, tirelessly recruiting new members. This effort led to the formation of a stable core group, allowing the fellowship to grow in Sydney and eventually expand to other states.
Throughout 1945 and 1946, AA meetings were held at various locations, including the Hasty Tasty Coffee Shop in Kings Cross, Rydalmere Hospital, Temple Court on Elizabeth Street, Bligh House in The Rocks, the Toc H on Walker Street in North Sydney, and Vianney House in Surry Hills. The attached article was written by Sunday Telegraph reporter Don Whitington. In November 1946 he attended a meeting at Vianney House in Surry Hills, captures the experience of those pioneering gatherings.
In 2025, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous in Australia. From its modest beginnings with a few unlikely, but dedicated individuals, AA has grown into a nationwide fellowship, offering support and hope to countless alcoholics. This milestone honours the enduring power of the program and the unwavering commitment of its members. As we reflect on the past eight decades, we celebrate the legacy of those early pioneers and look forward to a future of continued recovery, unity, and service.
