Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences
David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research
David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research
This scholarship is open to Indigenous students of the University of
South Australia who are, or will be, undertaking the final year of an
undergraduate program or an Honours year in the year of application. The scholarship is
awarded on the basis of academic merit and community service and is
normally valued at $5,000 per full-time year.
Further information
Irene and David Davy were people who planned for the future.
Practical, hard working and determined to make the most of their
opportunities, they came from large families and lived and worked in an
era where adventure and endeavour were part and parcel of everyday life.
They were also great believers in the power of education and
encouragement to change the lives of young people.
Irene Clarke Davy was born along with her twin brother Reg on 31 December 1924 in Bordertown. Her parents, John Murray Clarke, a Gunditjmara man from Framlingham and Emma Edna Harradine, a Wotjobaluk woman, were married on 13 March 1916. Emma was from the Moravian Lutheran mission near Antwerp, in Western Victoria. The couple lived in and around Dimboola for the rest of John's life with their nine children.
For most of her working life Irene was involved with health and caring. She was a nurse's aid but also earned a reputation as an excellent cook, which she turned to good use working several stints as a cook.
Irene's husband David Robert Davy was born 13 June 1930. He too came from a large family. His parents Thomas Peter Davy from Davington (now Semaphore Park) and Grace Lee Crack had eight children, David being the second youngest.
At just 15 years old he left Adelaide on the Swedish-Finnish Sailing ship, the Viking, and became a Cape Horner as part of this first major voyage. He spent all of his working life at sea, firstly on sailing ships, then around the gulfs of South Australia and later sailing merchant ships in Asia.
With no children of their own they took a special interest in their many nieces and nephews always providing encouragement and support. Their role as aunt and uncle was to make an important impact on the children of both families.
On David's side of the family, his niece, Margaret studied medicine at a time when few women entered the course and even less came from working class families. Irene and David were very proud of her achievements providing unstinting praise and support.
Irene's niece Judy (Moffatt) wanted to be a nurse. It was through Irene's insistence that she should keep hold of her dream, that Judy became the first Aboriginal accepted into the nurse's training program at Lyell McEwin Hospital. Later two other sisters, June and Sharon were accepted and trained at Lyell McEwin Hospital. All these co-cousins have achieved in their chosen professions and have become role models for others.
Irene's and David's nieces attest to the emotional support the Davys provided and the impact that support made on their lives. Today through the development of the Irene and David Davy Scholarship members of the Davy family aim to continue their legacy. Through that support the Scholarship will help to develop role models of success for this generation of young Australians. Irene and David understood hard work and determination. It was clear to them that education was a linchpin in providing young people with the key to confidence, personal development and self-esteem. They also understood that support and encouragement combined with access to education could light the way, especially for people who were disadvantaged.
Through this scholarship we believe a little of the strength of having Irene and David "on your side" will be shared with other young achievers.
