GRACE DAVY MBE

Awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 1959 in recognition of her dedicated service to the community.

Born Grace Dobe at Ravenswood in 1893, she married Francis Davy on March 28 1914. She and Francis arrived in Proserpine with their three children in 1920. By 1923, their family had increased to five boys.

Tragedy struck on February 23 1924 when Grace’s husband, Frank, drowned in the Proserpine River. He had gone to the rescue of an eight year old boy, Frederick (Duke) Beames who had gotten into difficulties. Frank managed to reach the boy however the pair went under water twice. Sixteen year old Louis Borserini went to their aid as the two of them were going under for a third time. Despite managing to get Duke ashore, Mr Davy did not surface and his body was found about an hour later.  

Grace was left to rear their five sons, Doug, Frank, Vivian, Hector and Colin, ranging from a nine-year-old to a one-year-old. These were times when there were few labour-saving devices and none of the social services to which we are now accustomed. Grace was a beautiful seamstress and used this talent to support her family by sewing for others. She would send her boys to deliver her sewing to customers with instructions NOT to leave until they had received payment for these goods. She worked long and hard to raise and educate her family. Grace demonstrated the skill to survive that belongs to people in times of crisis.

Despite tragedy, Grace remained a woman of great faith and for some years, she was President of the St Paul’s Anglican Church Ladies Guild. Throughout her lifetime, she devoted her energies to many charities – the Country Women’s Association being particularly dear to her heart. She and sister, Jane Ruge, rarely missed a meeting. In 1948, she became President of the Country Women’s Association, succeeding Kath Mazlin.

All of Grace’s sons joined up when the Second World War broke out. After losing her husband so early in their marriage, this must have been a worrying and lonely time for Grace. Not one to dwell on her circumstances, she immersed herself into community work. During the war years, she was associated with the Welfare Association and became a tireless worker for the Comforts Fund. Money was raised, items donated and the local ladies knitted and sewed garments to send to those serving overseas.

In 1947, when the Women’s Auxiliary of the Proserpine RSL Sub-branch was formed, Grace was elected President, holding this office for twenty years. Noted for her organisational ability, she was responsible for starting the popular Melbourne Cup afternoons which were an extremely successful source of revenue for the RSL Sub-branch.

Grace was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 1959. This was a fitting reward for her tireless work in the community. Her dedicated service to the Queensland Country Women’s Association, St Paul’s Anglican Church and many other patriotic and charity organisations was recognised. The investiture took place at Government House, Brisbane on December 4 1959, the presentation being made by the Governor, Sir Henry Abel Smith.

In 1968, Grace was awarded a Gold Badge and Life Membership for her commitment and long service to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Proserpine RSL Sub-Branch

Grace Davy, a woman of great faith and a respected resident who was an inspiration to all who knew her, died on May 19, 1981. It is fitting that one of Proserpine’s streets, Davy Avenue, is named in her honour.

Story courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and photo courtesy of the Davy family.

Grace Davy MBE was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 1959

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