Councillor Emelda Davis
Presentation
Formal Conference Opening
Thursday, Session 1: 09:40:00 - 09:50:00
Bio
(Waskam) Emelda Davis is the first Black woman elected to serve on the City of Sydney Council in its 180-year history as is a representative on the Clover Moore Independent Team.
Emelda is also second generation born Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI), a descendant of our Pacific slave trade to NSW in 1847.
A passionate volunteer community builder and long-term resident of Pyrmont for over two decades, Emelda has worked effectively across corporate and grassroots sectors including advisor to State, Federal and Commonwealth Government agencies on culturally specific indigenous knowledges.
In serving the city, Emelda is Deputy Chair of Resilient Communities Committee, the Lord Mayor’s delegate on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel, the Lord Mayor’s delegate on the Multicultural Advisory Panel, the Alternate Chair of the Local Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee.
A dedicated advocate for ASSI’s, during Emelda’s first term on Council saw the Blackbirded South Sea Islanders 175th anniversary recognised through an annual flag raising as part of a Council resolution ‘to recognise and support ASSI’s’, a follow up letter sent to 500 councils across Australia encouraged others to follow suit.
As a founder of ASSI – Port Jackson, Emelda’s achievements include 2020-CALD Panel for Women’s Business, Women for Election Australia Ambassador, awarded NSW Parliament Recognition Statement by the Member for Sydney and Legislative Assembly-Mr. Alex Greenwich, NSW Premiers Multicultural Community-Settlement Services International – Human Rights Award. Emelda is also the first ASSI person to complete an ASSI oral history thesis ‘Children of the Sugar Slaves; Black and Resilient.’ Recipient of 2017 Rotary Inspirational Woman, Ultimo PS Sydney Inspirational Wall Medal, 2016-NSW Women of the Year (Sydney Local), 2015- NSW Council for Pacific Communities ‘Stronger Communities Award’ and 2022 International Council on Monuments and Sites ‘Caring for Country’ committee award.
Advisory to Politics in Colour, various state ASSI leaders and organisations, continued work with Vanuatu Government officials and sits on the International Coalition Sites of Conscience Board of Trustees.
An ongoing champion for Climate Justice and Social Housing, Emelda sees her time on Council as a privilege to work with all communities to bring about meaningful change.
Contact Councillor Emelda Davis
Email: [email protected]
