The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association of Western Australia is a trust fund dedicated to the memory of Allan Robert, that grants financial and other awards to further the education of apprentices and others in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in Western Australia.

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Alan Robert passed away in 1975 after a lifetime of work in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. He is particularly remembered as the first examiner of refrigeration apprentices in Western Australia and for his dedication to apprentice training.

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His work as an electrical engineer was conducted in Cottesloe and through his effort and initiatives assisted in the recognition of the refrigeration service industry as a trade.

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He was the foundation President of IRASE WA (the Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Engineers) in 1945 and held board positions for approximately 30 years.  He was made a life member of IRASE in RACCA (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association) and was also a member of AIRAH (Australian Institute of Refrigeration and Heating) along with ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.

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Allan dedicated himself to assist with the training of those in the industry and particularly apprentices where he carried out on the job assessments and viewed employer facilities and apprentice performance. 

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The trust fund was set up by 1976 by industry donations and provides awards to studying apprentices and students on an annual basis.

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Award nominations can be made by the students themselves, training bodies, employers or members of the public.

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The trust fund obtains income from conservative cash deposits in Australian banks with all financial accounts independently audited annually.