Dr Judy White AM PhD
The featured image I chose is of Dr Judy White just after delivering the inaugural Patrick White Oration at the Scone Literary Long Week End in early October 2015.
I am immensely proud to have known Dr Judy White AM PhD of ‘Belltrees Station’ for over 50 years. I was preparing an encomium myself when I uncovered the following coruscating tribute from a much younger woman. Thank you Caitlin Andrews of ‘The Scone Advocate’. I know how much this award meant to Judy. I’ve enjoyed a small association myself with the University of Newcastle.
Dr White has covered the full social spectrum of the Hunter Valley since its earliest settlement. She has focused on its horses and people producing sparkling historical tributes to both species. She has many passions; family comes first. As I compose this I have just assisted Judy with setting up her most recent display at the UHSC Scone Visitor Information Centre. It’s about horses and their mouthing bits. She has an eclectic collection. This is about the 10th such occasion we have shared this type of exhibition. Judy has achieved the most. I have referred to some of them in my ‘Blog’; notably ‘The Olympians’. When Judy called me over the week end I was at Hawks Nest. She wanted me onsite at 9:30am on Monday morning. I was there before time; but after Judy! When Dr White says ‘jump’ I say ‘how high’. I’m not alone.
As fellow authors we have much in common. The featured image I chose is of Dr Judy White just after delivering the inaugural Patrick White Oration at the Scone Literary Long Week End in early October 2015. I set her up for this. I felt a little guilty at the time. I shouldn’t have. Judy was absolutely brilliant! The very first person to congratulate her was close neighbour Phillip Adams AO. They are from different ends of the political spectrum but both stratospheric in achievement. The sentiments were genuine. Suddenly it was all worth it. Another occasion when Judy really came to the fore was the Melbourne Cup Celebration we hosted on Friday 15th October 2017. Judy’s involvement with the famous race includes family connection with ‘Archer’ and Etienne De Mestre in 1861 and 1862. The Hon James White from her husband’s family was the dual leviathan winner with ‘Chester’ in 1877 and Martini Henry in 1883.
Superior merit The Scone Advocate September 25 2014 – 9:33AM
Caitlin Andrews
The Upper Hunter can take pride in yet another of its exceptional residents hitting a high note of an extremely top notch level.
Dr Judy White of Belltrees was named the winner of the University of Newcastle Alumni Award for her exceptional services to the community.
Local woman, Dr Judy White AM, has added another jewel to her crown of star studded achievements being the named the winner of the University of Newcastle Alumni Award.
Dr White was one of three finalists along with nationally recognised mental health professional Trevor Hazell and a highly accomplished medical professional Dr Chee Hsiang Liow.
However, it was the woman who has sat on the boards of Dr Barnardo’s Training Farm, the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, the Hunter Economic Development Corporation and many more that was named the winner.
The award for exceptional community services was created to acknowledge the commitment and work of an outstanding alumni member who has made significant contributions to the relationship between the university and its community.
Dr White completed her PhD in History in 2002, among various other degrees, and is a passionate resident who demonstrates her commitment to the Hunter Valley region in her history literature of the area.
The author and publisher have completed 11 books to date, including family histories and a doctorate on the history of the horse in the Hunter.
Being an instrumental driver in the establishment of the Hunter Valley Research Foundation and a board member for 20 years, Dr White has a broad knowledge of the area which is coupled with her presence on the boards of the Hunter Institute of Technology and the University of Newcastle Foundation, and she negotiated the donation of the University’s Archives of architectural drawings worth $3 million.
Throughout the years she has created the archives of the Royal Agricultural Society, and the Seaborn, Broughton and Walford Foundations.
Among many proud moments was in 1998, when Dr White was named a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the community and also received a Bicentennial Women Award.
Dr White received the award at a special University Awards event at Newcastle Town Hall earlier this month where she was supported by her very proud family.
Although very surprised, Dr White said she was very happy to receive the award as she is passionate about her role on the board of the university.
She said she joined the board of Evatt House to help students moving from the country feel more comfortable with the magnitude of city life.
Currently, the board is organising the 50 year celebrations of the University, and Dr White said she feels very strongly about the role the university is taking in Newcastle as she hopes it will become an active part of the future of Newcastle.