Award pays tribute to Aunty Mary

Renowned Illawarra elder, Aunty Mary Davis, who passed away in Wollongong last year, has been acknowledged with an award named in her honour.

Ms Davis was the former chair of the Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council and chaired the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation.

The Aunty Mary Davis Award was launched by the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC) last Friday at a SCLC Women’s Dinner at Wollongong TAFE.

The newly created award acknowledges women who have made an invaluable contribution to social justice and community activism on the South Coast.

It will be awarded on an annual basis and in its inaugural year was named after and awarded to Aunty Mary Davis.

President of the SCLC, Jo Kowalczyk, said in the centenary of the International Women’s Day movement, the SCLC wanted to recognise the role of women in the local community who work tirelessly in the name of social justice but who are often not formally recognised.

“Aunty Mary Davis is the epitome of the women we seek to honour,” Ms Kowalczyk said.

Aunty Mary’s son, Richard Davis, acknowledged the honour on his mother’s behalf and said Ms Davis was a true leader in all possible ways.