Davidson, Eileen (1909-2007)

Field of activity
Social worker
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-767096

Biographies

Catholic social worker Eileen Davidson worked for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration’s child search operation, and for the International Refugee Organisation, after the Second World War. She raised ₤70,000 for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.

Born in Perth to Robert Alexander and Mary Ellen (née McBreen) Davidson, Mary Eileen Davidson was the eldest of six children. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Australia in 1931, before winning a scholarship to study Social Work at the Catholic University of American in Washington. She graduated in 1935 with a Master of Arts and Diploma in Social Services, and took on work at a children’s aid society in Baltimore and at the New York Foundling Hospital. In 1936 she travelled to England, where she completed an almoner’s certificate and worked at St Thomas’ Hospital, London.

Back home in 1937, Davidson set up a Department of Social Work at Lewisham Hospital. One of Australia’s first qualified social workers, she guided the development of the profession in this country and helped to establish the Catholic Trained Social Workers Association in Sydney in 1940. She later taught at St Vincent’s and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals in Sydney, and was the inaugural secretary of the NSW Association for Mental Health.

In 1945 Davidson was recruited to join the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration’s child search operation, helping children of Eastern occupied territories who were displaced, orphaned or had survived concentration camps, to find their families. On her return to Australia she raised ₤70,000 for the United Nations International Children’s Fund with public speeches about postwar European children. She later worked for the World Health Organisation in Germany and Thailand.

Davidson was awarded a Papal Cross in 1992, and became a Member in the Order of Australia (AM) in 2001. Never married, she outlived her five siblings and died at the age of 97 in Perth.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Resources for Eileen Davidson

Selected resources (4)

Australian Women's Register

  1. The Professionalisation of Australian Catholic Social Welfare, 1920-1985
    Gleeson, Damian John
    [2006]
    Published: University of New South Wales
  2. A voice for lost children of war: Eileen Davidson, 1909-2007Sydney Morning Herald : A voice for lost children of war: Eileen Davidson, 1909-2007
    Sankey, Mary
    [2007]
    Series: http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/a-voice-for-lost-children-of-war/2007/06/25/1182623818041.html
  3. Chronological History of the Medical Benevolent Association of N.S.W.
    Pope, D., and M. Doughty
    [2005]
    Series: http://www.mbansw.org.au/mba/history.htm
  4. National Archives of Australia, National Office: Seven social workers from Asia (1956)
    (1 photographic negative: b&w, acetate) Seven social workers from Asia who have completed a special one year course in Australia under the Colombo Plan, were recently presented with certificates by the Vice-Cancellor of Sydney University, Professor S H Roberts, in a ceremony in the Senate Room of the University. Three of the students are from Indonesia, two from Burma and one each from Thailand and the Philippines - Maung Sann (left) and Maung Hla Aung, both from Burma with the guest speaker at the presentation ceremony, Miss Eileen Davidson, who until recently was the Social Welfare Officer with the United Nations Technical Assistance Administration in Bangkok
    A1501:Photographic negatives, single number series with 'A' [Asian] prefix; image number A1501:A286/2

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  1. Davidson
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    Davidson family, Emmaville NSW. Sub-themes: tin-mining, horse-racing, grazing; retail from mid-19th century in norther NSW.

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    Wife Clara Davidson, son William Henry born Sydney c 1845 or 1846 according to son.

  1. Davidson, Eileen (1909-2007)
    ... Catholic social worker Eileen Davidson worked for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation ...
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  1. Eileen Davidson, social welfare trailblazer: Obituary: Mary Eileen Davidson, 1909-2007. [This is the text of the eulogy delivered at the Sydney memorial service of Eileen Davidson at St Canice's, Elizabeth Bay, on July 6, 2007]
    Gleeson, Damian
    Catholic Weekly
    [ Article : 2007 ]
    View online
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.504)

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  2. Eileen Davidson. (illustration)
    Interview
    [ Article : 1984 ]
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  3. 'Restless' again.(Eileen Davidson returns to 'The Young and the Restless')(The Soaps)(Interview)(Column)
    Logan, Michael
    TV Guide
    [ Article : 1999 ]
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  4. Public service; a 'Restless' star finally gets her wish.(Eileen Davidson; 'The Young and the Restless;)(Column)
    Logan, Michael
    TV Guide
    [ Article : 2002 ]
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  1. Phillips Gallery
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  2. Historical Faculty Files
    University of Utah. Vice President for Academic Affairs Office
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    [ Unpublished : 1940-1962 ]
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  1. Roman tales / Alberto Moravia ; selected and translated by Angus Davidson
    Moravia, Alberto, 1907-1990
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    Davidson, Eileen, 1959-
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    Davidson, Eileen, 1959-
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  4. Diva Las Vegas / Eileen Davidson
    Davidson, Eileen, 1959-
    [ Book : 2010 ]
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  1. Hamlet / William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1603-2009 ]
    Languages: English, Spanish, French, [26 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 201 libraries
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  2. Generation after generation : for voice with chamber ensemble and accompanying electronic track / Robert Davidson
    Davidson, Robert, 1965-
    [ Sheet music : 2008-2010 ]
    At National Library
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  1. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
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  2. Website: Hawkesbury on the net
    www.hawkesbury.net.au
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    ... Miss Eileen Davidson To Go Abroad With Unrra It was announced yesterday that Red Cross had accepted the resignation nation of Miss Eileen Davidson Deputy Director of Social Services ir. South Australia, who has been appointed to a position with! UNRRA. ( Miss Davidson will leave Ade laide on May ... 222 words
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  2. MISS DAVIDSON'S STUDENTS.
    The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954) Tuesday 9 November 1937 p 7 Article
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