Vale Rodney Davidson

Rodney Disney Davidson AO OBE LLB, passed away 13/4/2016, aged 83.

It is with sadness that members of the Heritage Council of Victoria note the passing of Rodney Davidson.

Rodney was the founding Chairman of the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, the predecessor of the HCV and had earlier been Chairman of the Victorian Government’s Committee on the Preservation of Places of Historic Interest. The HBPC was created under the Historic Buildings Act 1974 and Rodney served as Chairman until 1977.

By profession a solicitor and a company director, he was for many years also a patron of Victoria’s arts and heritage.  He also amassed one of the most valuable antique book collections in Australia, dispersed over several months a decade ago.

Rodney played a crucial part in building the National Trust movement in both Victoria and in Australia.  He became a Council member in 1960, was Chair (1966 to 1982) and then President of the Trust in Victoria, and also worked with the Australian Council of National Trusts, making an enormous impact on the preservation of our national heritage.

He was also President of the La Trobe Society from 2003 until 2009, President of the Friends of the Baillieu Library from 1978 to 1996 (and Patron from 2002), and Chairman of the W R Johnston Trust from 1995 to 2009.

A Thanksgiving Service will be held at St John’s Anglican Church, 86 Clendon Road, Toorak on Wednesday, 20 April 2016 commencing at 11.00 am.