Lumen Winter 2016 - Flipbook - Page 21
D
oris West’s lifelong interest in
education and a close connection
to the University of Adelaide led
her to remember the University in her
will. At the time of her death in 1990, her
uncle, the late mathematician Professor
Ren Potts, said that her intentions hadn’t
been known by the family and the sizeable
bequest came as a surprise.
What her relatives did know was that
she would have been proud to continue
supporting other women in reaching
their full potential through education
– something which she valued highly
throughout her life.
Through the establishment of the Doris
West postgraduate scholarships, her legacy
has given opportunities to high-achieving
female students across all disciplines.
The 2012 recipient, Caitlin Eyre, is
currently in Berlin where she is pursuing her
passion for the arts and has just landed a
role as an editorial intern at Berlin Art Link
— an online magazine focusing on artists
and exhibitions in Berlin. An emerging art
curator and writer, Caitlin was enchanted
by museums and galleries as a child,
leading her to pursue a career in the arts.
Graduating from the University with a
Bachelor of Arts in 2010 and a Graduate
Diploma in Art History in 2011, Caitlin
was able to continue her studies with the
support of the scholarship, going on to
gain a Master of Arts (Art History) in
2012 and a Master of Arts (Curatorial
and Museum Studies) in 2013.
“The scholarship helped me to move
towards achieving my career goals
by allowing me to lay strong practical
foundations in the industry during my
postgraduate student years,” says Caitlin.
“Being relieved of financial burden as a
student meant that I was able to undertake
two invaluable internships during the
course of my studies – experiences that I
believe have shaped me as a curator.”
Undertaking a month-long curatorial
internship at the National Gallery of
Australia in Canberra, Caitlin was able to
build on the experience she gained as a
volunteer at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Even though this internship fulfilled
Caitlin’s Masters obligations, she was
still hungry for more experience. The
scholarship enabled her to undertake
a second internship at JamFactory
Contemporary Craft and Design in
Adelaide during the second year of her
Masters studies and led to employment
as an assistant curator at the centre.
Caitlin says that she wishes she could
thank the generous benefactor whose
support has given her the freedom to
wholeheartedly pursue her passion for art.
“If I could pass on a message of
appreciation to Doris, I would tell her that
her generosity has had a profound impact
on helping me to achieve the things I
want from life,” she says.
“I have always valued education and
I really appreciate that Doris’ generous
contribution has allowed me to pursue
my education without the burden of
financial barriers.”
Relatives say that as a child, Dorrie
— as she was known — always had
her nose in a book and it was this love
of learning that led her to pursue a
university education. She graduated with
a Bachelor of Arts in 1921, going on to
teach at Adelaide High School and later
devoting her life to volunteering for various
women’s associations. She had been
proud of obtaining her degree, telling
family how difficult it had been for her, as
a woman, to complete her studies.
She was an active member of the
YWCA and chaired the building committee
responsible for the construction of the
Pennington Terrace headquarters, and also
served at various times as acting president
of the board and as a regional committee
member. She was made a life member
of the Adelaide Lyceum Club, holding the
president’s post from 1957-59.
During the 1940s Dorrie was elected
president of what today is known as the
Australian Federation of University Women
and remained an active member of the
organisation until ill health forced her
resignation in the late 1970s.
As a keen music lover and regular
attendee at the Elder Conservatorium’s
concerts, Dorrie’s gift to the University has
also helped to support the popular lunchtime concert series – treasured weekly by
many thousands across the years.
Her generous legacy will ensure the
continued accessibility of these concerts
and enable more women like Caitlin
to take advantage of the educational
opportunities Dorrie valued so highly.
Inspired by her educational and
career experiences, Caitlin is intent on
undertaking a PhD in Art History and is
excited by the prospect of continuing her
education in the field.
“I continue to be awed and eternally
thankful that one person’s generosity
of spirit can have such a profound
impact on the lives of the people their
generosity touches.”
For further information about bequests or
to arrange a confidential discussion visit
www.adelaide.edu.au/give/how/bequests
or contact Sue Fox on +61 8 8313 3234
or email development@adelaide.edu.au
Elder Conservatorium lunchtime concerts
The Elder Conservatorium has
been the heart of musical culture
in Adelaide for over 130 years. The
conservatorium’s lunchtime concert
series has been supported in part
by an annual contribution from the
Doris West bequest.
This support helps keep admission
prices for the concerts to a minimum
and maintains the extraordinary quality
of artists and concerts. The popularity
and prestige of this series plays a vital
role in representing the University of
Adelaide to the wider community.
Throughout each year, visiting
Australian and international artists
perform as part of the series and
some provide masterclasses and
workshops for students. In previous
years there have been dedicated
performances for the Come Out Youth
Arts Festival in May which has seen
over 1000 school children attend
orchestral performances in Elder Hall.
Find out more www.music.adelaide.edu.au/concerts/lunchtime
Left: Caitlin Eyre
Inset: Doris West with husband Arnold
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 19
