About AWMAC
The Stoccata School of Defence hosts the Australasian Western Martial Arts Convention (AWMAC) on the King’s Birthday Weekend, and is the premier HEMA event in Sydney each year.
Over the long weekend there will be workshops on everything from HEMA staples like longsword and rapier to more esoteric systems like back-hold wrestling and quarterstaff. But that’s not all, AWMAC also boasts lectures, round-table discussions and private lessons from attending instructors.
AWMAC is held at the Baden Powell Scout Centre in Pennant Hills and features on-site accommodation and catered meals as part of your admission fee, which means we can have long days and even longer evenings. Many insights have been shared around the camp fire at previous events.
Saturday night typically features an open floor bouting session in multiple different weapons, and Sunday night features the camp fire social. Tournaments will be held on the last day, and typically include a broadsword tournament.
The event is open to anyone who currently practices or is interested in practising Historical Western Martial Arts. Equipment and experience requirements will vary by workshop, however both beginner and advanced students will be catered to. Further details will be posted in the coming weeks.
Where
Baden-Powell Scout Centre
Pomona St, Pennant Hills, NSW, 2120 Australia
transport options
car
- Baden Powell Activity Centre is about 27km (40 minutes) from Sydney CBD or 38km (1 hour)
from Sydney Airport (via M1/M2 highway) - Parking onsite and off street parking is available, however if you’re coming by car we
encourage you to carpool with other attendees whenever possible due to limited parking
Train
- Baden Powell Activity Centre is approximately 1km from Pennant Hills Station and Thornleigh
Station - If you are travelling via public transport, we recommend that you plan your trip using Transport
NSW’s train timetables. Available here
For attendees coming from interstate/overseas, and participants staying overnight for the
ENTIRE event only (from Friday or Saturday night until Monday), we will be offering shuttle services
between Baden Powell Activity Centre and Pennant Hills Train Station. Due to limited capacity,
shuttle services will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
About the shuttle service
- Pickup from Pennant Hills Station will be between 8-8:45am on Saturday 8th June 2024 – the
last pickup will occur at 8:45am sharp to allow time for registration (which closes at 9am
sharp) - Drop off at Pennant Hills Station will occur on Monday afternoon after the event concludes
How will the shuttle service work?
- Register your interest
- Our Transport Coordinator, Alex Binskin, will allocate transport volunteers to attendees
requiring transport, and will get in touch with you regarding any arrangements
When
King’s Birthday Long Weekend (8th – 10th June 2024)
What’s included
If you’d like to stay for the full 3 days (Sat, Sun & Mon)
- $420 (early bird fee until 31st March 2024);
OR - $500 from 1st April 2024 onwards.
These fees will include all meals from Saturday LUNCH to Monday LUNCH, as well as dorm accommodation on both Saturday and Sunday night.
People travelling from interstate or locals who’d like to get settled in the night before the main event can opt to stay on Friday night (see below under optional add-ons)
If you are unable to attend the entire night, there are also the following packages:
- 2 days (+1 night dorm accommodation): $300
- 3 days (no accommodation): $280
- 2 days (no accommodation): $210
- 1 day (no accommodation): $150
- 3 days (+ 2 nights camping): $310
- 2 days (+ 1 night camping): $240
Optional add-ons:
- Extra dorm night Friday 7th June + breakfast Saturday 8th June: $75
- Linen: $30
General Bookings will close on 17th May 2024!
Note: No meals are provided Friday night but there are plenty of local restaurants that can deliver to the site.
Instructor & Workshops
To learn more about who will be presenting at AWMAC, as well as what they’ll be teaching, head over to our Instructors & Workshops page!
More Information
If you want to see what previous AWMACs were like have a look at the pages below:
Stoccata School of Defence 