The Dr Garry Davidson Memorial Prize in Earth Sciences was established through the generosity of Garry’s family and friends after Garry’s passing in 2017.
The prize honours the profound impact Garry, an alumnus and staff member, had on the many students he educated, encouraged, entertained and inspired with his love of geology. It has been awarded to ten students since it was established.
Earth Sciences alumni and friends would now like to grow the prize fund to create an endowed scholarship, which would provide ongoing support to future Earth Sciences students to ensure their passion and potential are not limited by financial barriers.
Our aim is to raise enough to endow a scholarship for perpetuity and provide a commencing student with $5,000 per year for the term of their undergraduate degree. To do this we need to raise an additional $120,000. We ask that you join with us and donate to make this vision a reality. Every gift – whether large or small – will helps us reach our goal. All donations are tax deductible in Australia. Please see the information at the end of this article.
You can donate to support the endowed scholarship in Garry’s name through the online form or if you would like to discuss your gift, please contact the University of Tasmania Advancement Office by phone +61 3 6226 1920 or email: University.Giving@utas.edu.au
Thank you!
2026 Garry Davidson Memorial Footy Match
Another way of honouring Garry’s life and contribution is through the 2026 Garry Davidson Memorial Footy Match, which was held in September.
Earth Sciences staff member Dr Karin Orth (PhD 2003) writes:
“Garry would have enjoyed the touch football match played in his honour on the lower sports grounds at Sandy Bay on 4 September. The All-Blacks staff team surged ahead of the enthusiastic Hi-Viz students’ team in the first half and managed to defend their lead for most of the second half. The game ended in a three-all draw. For the first time, the prized unicorn trophy will not belong to the staff and will be shared in 2026.”
Image credit: Carlos Carrasco-Godoy
Image credit: Carlos Carrasco-Godoy
Top right image: The 14-strong student team for the 2026 Garry Davidson Memorial Footy Match were in orange Hi Viz (with some in multicoloured strip), while the much smaller staff team of seven went for basic black. Standing (L–R): Finn McCallum-Packham, Willam Sinclair, Eric Koon, Jaida Flynn, Chris Allen, Jason Sze, Jeremy Southwell, Damian Braize (obscured), Lara Sivwright, Shouchun Yu, Sophia Minter Mike Baker, Owen Missen, Ivan Belousov and Martin Jutzeler. Kneeling (L–R): Will Dullard, Ariann Spencer, Colin Smith, Matt Cracknell, Sheree Armistead and Sebastien Meffre. Image credit: Helen Scott