The History of WASM
Formed in 1922, the West Australian Society of Magicians is one of the oldest still-operating magic clubs in the world. This is the story of the people who kept it going.
First Meeting, 6 February.
The Society was formed with its first official meeting on 6 February 1922. Nearly all magic clubs founded that decade have long since folded — WASM never did. Across depressions, a world war, and a pandemic, the Society kept meeting, kept teaching, and kept its oath. The result? One of the oldest magic clubs still operating anywhere on Earth.
If you demonstrate your interest and involvement with magic, you will quickly find many members who will be happy to share your interest and lend assistance as you learn. — WASM, on what it means to join
A Century of Meetings, Told in Years
The Society is Formed
WASM holds its first official meeting, beginning a run that continues, unbroken in spirit, over a hundred years later.
WASM Fundraising Trivia Night
Members and guests gathered on 18 August 2012 for an evening of trivia, a shared meal, and a magical interlude performed for the crowd.
Farewell to Fred DeCampi
WASM's longest-serving member, Fred DeCampi, passed away in November 2015 at the age of 104½ — a lifetime devoted to the craft. The Society still awards the Fred DeCampi Trophy each year for the most creative magical performance, in his memory.
Willie Kaye, Life Member (1928–2017)
The Society lost a beloved Life Member, Willie Kaye, in 2017. His memory is preserved in a video tribute and eulogy in our photo archive.
On Air
WASM's magic reached a wider audience via Channel 9's Destination WA, and an ABC radio interview with former President Andy Brown.
The Centenary
Under President Vince Haines, the Society rebuilt its meeting nights through the disruption of the pandemic years and carried the club through to its 100th anniversary — a milestone reached by only a handful of magic societies worldwide.
On the Move
After a long run at the Osborne Park Hotel, the Society spent much of 2024 meeting at The Blue Room Theatre in Northbridge. Vince Haines stepped down as President at the March AGM after five years, and visiting lecturers included illusion designer Mark Parker in February and Michael Ammar, who gave a lecture and an intimate workshop in September.
Visiting Lecturers
Meetings settled at the Freemasons’ Grand Lodge in Subiaco, with a trial season at the Market Grounds in the city that included a One Minute Magic competition. Eric Leclerc and Chris Congreave both lectured for the Society.
A New Home
After meeting at a succession of homes over the decades — the Belmont RSL, the Hyde Park Hotel, Balga, The Saint, the Osborne Park Hotel, The Blue Room Theatre and the Freemasons’ Grand Lodge — WASM trialled the Le Roi Function Room at the Belgian Beer Café in the Perth CBD from April 2026, and at the May AGM members said they were happy with it as the Society’s new home. Stuart Lightbody lectured in February, Alan Moore was elected President at the May AGM, and in August the Society held an open meeting, a members’ showcase that friends, family and the public could attend.
Life Members of the Society
The members the Society has honoured with life membership.
-
Ian Moffat Life Member
-
-
Kim Van Weert Life Member
-
Norm Patterson Life Member
A Hundred Years of Members. One Unbroken Oath.
Meet the Current CommitteeEst. 1922 · One of the World's Oldest Magic Clubs