Our Traditions

Spring Maiden or Spring Queen

As the AWC is held over the Spring Equinox, and in keeping with the story of the God and Goddess through the Wheel of the year, an attendee at the conference is nominated and crowned Spring Queen. 

The Spring Queen then selects their consort, to act as the still maturing stag, who has not yet become a king (Crowned at Beltane). Both of these roles are important for the weekend and are a focus of the Spring Ritual.

Gathering Tokens

Generally a symbol reflective of what the Conference theme is, the Gathering token is given to all participants as a reminder of the AWC and its theme. Sometimes the token has been used in the ritual, other times given at the start of the weekend as a gift.

Gathering Ashes

The Gathering ashes are a tradition started in 2008 at the AWC in Queensland. The Ashes from the fire at the gathering are passed on to the next AWC. How they incorporate those ashes is up to the gathering organizer, but the ashes are expected to be added to the fire, so that there is a link to the gathering fires of past AWC’s.

Requiem book

As Australia’s only national gathering, it is fitting that a record is kept for those Australian Pagans that have passed away. This way they may be remembered by the community.

Gathering Book

Started as a tradition in 2008, the Gathering Book is used a memento of the gathering, along with messages about the gathering. It is then passed on from AWC to AWC. Many attendees enjoy finding their marks and comments about the gathering they have attended.

Raffle

Each year there is a raffle to raise funds for the next AWC. The prizes are normally supplied by market stall holders as well as local merchants who wish to support the AWC. All monies raised from the Raffle are sent given to the Next AWC gathering organizer along with the Ashes, Requiem and Gathering Books.

Gathering Moot

The Moot allows attendees to raise issues, offer feedback and discuss the venue for the AWC to be held in 2 years time. 

Previous AWC Gatherings

AWC 2019 – Victoria

Event: Australian Wiccan Conference 2019
Theme: By Magic Of Old, Be It Done
Hosted by: The Pagan Collective Of Victoria
State: Victoria
Dates:13th – 15th September, 2019

AWC 2018 – Western Australia

Event: Australian Wiccan Conference 2018
Theme:  Melting Pot of Community
Hosted by: Combined Covens Social Club
State: Perth, Western Australia
Dates: Friday 21st September to Monday 24th September 2018

AWC 2017 – New South Wales 

The 2017 AWC was held at Berry Sport and Recreation Centre over the weekend of 15th to the 17th September.
Hosted by: Applegrove
Friday night entertainment:  Rated O For Occult
Saturday night entertainment: The Hearthfyre Ensemble
Welcoming Ritual presented by: Applegrove
Main Ritual presented by: Applegrove

AWC 2016 – Australian Capital Territory

The 2016 AWC was held at Camp Cottermouth in Canberra over the weekend of 23rd to the 26th September.
Hosted by:  Kimi & Fiona
Friday night entertainment: Bardic Circle
Saturday night entertainment: Spiral Dance
Sunday night entertainment: KC Guy
Main Ritual presented by: Peter Cropley

AWC 2015 – South Australia

The 2015 AWC was held at Arbury Park just outside the township of Bridgewater in South Australia over the weekend of the 2nd to the 4th of October.
Hosted by: Dianne, Robert, Gwyn & Maggie
Friday night entertainment: Bardic Circle
Saturday night entertainment: Damh the Bard and Spiral Dance
Main Ritual presented by:  Dianne and Gwyn.

AWC 2014 – Victoria

The 2014 AWC was held at Camp Marysville just outside the township of Marysville in Victoria over the weekend of the 19th to the 21st of September.
Hosted by: Hawthorn, Selene, Fiona, Kimi & Donna.
Friday night entertainment: Bardic Circle
Saturday night entertainment:  Spiral Dance
Main Ritual presented by: Hawthorn and Selene.

AWC 2013 – Northern Territory

The 2013 AWC was held at Mary River Wilderness Retreat along the Mary River in The Northern Territory over the weekend of the 20th to the 22nd of September.
Hosted by: NT Pagans as a Subcommittee of the Pagan Awareness Network
Saturday night entertainment: Scott and Tor from Valanti
Main Ritual presented by: Nik Fullerton

AWC 2012 – New South Wales

The 2012 AWC was held on Milson’s Island in the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales over the weekend of the 21st to the 23rd of September.
Hosted by: Pagan Awareness Network Inc. Australia
Friday night entertainment: Pagan Trivia Game Show “Spells and Tells
Saturday night entertainment: The Hearthfyre Ensemble, Spiral Dance
Main Ritual presented by: Mark Hepworth & Julie Howarth, Black Joak Morris, and the Combined Houses of the Sydney Pagan Community.

AWC 2011 – Tasmania

The 2011 AWC was held in Little Swanport, Tasmania over the weekend of the 16th to the 18th of September.
Hosted by: Pagan Alliance Tasmania 
Friday night entertainment: Wendy Rule
Saturday night entertainment: Spiral Dance
Main Ritual presented by: Mel Dolliver and Jess Steers

AWC 2010 – Western Australia

The 2010 AWC was held in Orange Grove, Western Australia over the weekend of the 17th to the 19th of September.
Hosted by: Peter Cropley and Temple Coven.
Friday night entertainment: Punch and Judy show / Lecture
Saturday night entertainment: Wendy Rule
Main Ritual presented by: Temple Coven

AWC 2009 – South Australia

The 2009 AWC was held in Bridgewater, South Australia over the weekend of the 18th to the 20th of September.
Hosted by: South Australian Pagan Alliance
Friday night entertainment: Chalkboard concert
Saturday night entertainment: Spiral Dance, Hedgemonkey Morris
Main Ritual presented by: Tom Osbourne and Tamzin Wilcock

AWC 2008 – Queensland

The 2008 AWC was held in Springbrook, Queensland, on the Gold Coast hinterland over the weekend of the 19th to the 21st of September.This gathering marked the first time the AWC had been held in Queensland and the 25th Australian Wiccan Conference.
Hosted by: Pagan Awareness Network and the Queensland Branch of the Pagan Alliance.
Friday night entertainment: Fog
Saturday night entertainment: Julie Walton, Spiral Dance
Main Ritual presented by: Earthwyrm Coven

AWC 2007 – Victoria

The 2007 AWC was held in Healesville, Victoria over the weekend of the 21st to the 23rd of September.
Hosted by:  Pagan Alliance Victoria
Friday night entertainment: Herb Garden
Saturday night entertainment: Wendy Rule, Herb Garden, Spiral Dance
Main Ritual presented by: Linda and Michel

AWC 2006 – New South Wales

The 2006 AWC was held on Milson’s Island in the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales over the weekend of the 22nd to the 24th of September.
Hosted by: Pagan Awareness Network, Applegrove
Friday night entertainment: The Great Debate
Saturday night entertainment: Pagan Fashion Parade
Main Ritual presented by: Applegrove

AWC 2005 – Northern Territory

The 2005 AWC was held in Mandorah, The Northern Territory over the weekend of the 16th to the 18th of September. This gathering marked the first time the AWC had been held in The Northern Territory.
Saturday night entertainment: Wendy Rule

AWC 2004 – Australian Capital Territory

The 2004 AWC was held in Stromlo, The Australian Capital Territory over the weekend of the 24th to the 26th of September. The conference was originally due to be held in the ACT in 2003, however after the bushfire of early 2003, a swap was made with the original 2004 hosts Victoria.

AWC 2003 – Victoria

The 2003 AWC was held in Victoria’s Alpine region over the weekend of the 19th to the 21st of September. The ACT was due to host the 2003 conference, but the bushfires of early 2003 saw the venue completely destroyed. 
Friday night entertainment: Mischelle Star Belly Dancers
Saturday night entertainment: Croque Monsieur
Main Ritual presented by: Linda and Michel written by Mel Reaburn-Jenkin

AWC 2002 – Victoria

The 2002 AWC was held in Princetown, Victoria.
Presented by: Julia Phillips and Lesley Caron-Veater

AWC 2001 – Western Australia

The 2001 AWC was held in Whitfords, Western Australia.
Presented by: Jennifer Pakioufakis

AWC 2000 – South Australia

The 2000 AWC was held in Bridgewater, South Australia.
Presented by: Chris Selwood

AWC 1999 – Tasmania

The 1999 AWC was held in Triabunna, Tasmania.
Presented by: Allannah Turner, Marianne Cherrie, Jeanette Gormley and Jilli Roberts

AWC 1998 – Victoria

The 1998 AWC was held in Healesville, Victoria.
Presented by: Ambriel, Hiraeth, Linda & Mischael Marold & Kira White

AWC 1997 – New South Wales

The 1997 AWC was held in Broken Bay, New South Wales.
Presented by: Mark Wood

AWC 1996 – South Australia

The 1996 AWC was held in Normanville, South Australia.
Presented by: Trevor Curnow & Helen Lyons

AWC 1995 – Victoria

The 1995 AWC was held in Daylesford, Victoria.
Presented by: Phil Day

AWC 1994 – Australian Capital Territory

The 1994 AWC was held in Stromlo, Australian Capital Territory.
Presented by: Nicole, Ian, Tess and Phil

AWC 1993 – Australian Capital Territory

The 1993 AWC was held in Birragai, Australian Capital Territory
Presented by: Leonie Moyse

AWC 1992 – Australian Capital Territory

The 1992 AWC was held in Birragai, Australian Capital Territory.
Presented by: James & Nicole

AWC 1991 – Australian Capital Territory

The 1991 AWC was held in Birragai, Australian Capital Territory.
Presented by: James & Nicole

AWC 1990 – Victoria

The 1990 AWC was held in Daylesford, Victoria.
Presented by: Linda & Mischael Marold

AWC 1989 – South Australia

The 1989 AWC was held in Aldinga, South Australia.
Presented by: Di McLelland

AWC 1988 – Australian Capital Territory

The 1988 AWC was held in Birragai, Australian Capital Territory.
Presented by: Simon Goodman, James & Nicole

AWC 1987 – Victoria

The 1987 AWC was held in Central Victoria.
Presented by: Andrew Frencham & Joanne Rider

AWC 1986 – New South Wales

The 1986 AWC was held in Sydney, New South Wales.
Presented by: Rhea Loader and Bill Beattie

AWC 1985 – South Australia

The 1985 AWC was held in O’Sullivan’s Beach, South Australia.
Presented by: Di McLelland

AWC 1984 – South Australia

The first AWC was held in O’Sullivan’s Beach, South Australia.
Presented by: Di McLelland

Thank you to Mark Hepworth for compiling this information for the original wiccanconference.org website.