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Tribute to the late Esmé Darby |
Esmé Jean Darby (nee McKenzie) M.B.E., B.A., J.P., educationalist, humanitarian, Constitutional Monarchist, loyalist, redoubtable political campaigner and much-beloved great-grand-mother, passed away quietly and comfortably in an Adelaide nursing home on 19th November 1997, eighteen days after her eighty-ninth birthday.
The widow of the late Dr. E.D. (Douglas) Darby, Member for Manly in the NSW Parliament from 1945-1978, whom she married on 31st August 1941, Esmé Jean was an active participant in humanitarian causes and free-enterprise politics throughout her life.
After graduating from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney, Esmé Jean entered the teaching profession, and through teaching she met her future husband. During the War years the two established the British Orphans Adoption Society and were instrumental in sending substantial numbers of food parcels to Britain.
In 1960 Esmé Darby intitiated the Whitehall Debaters, which provided a wonderful training ground for a large number of young people many of whom have since made a significant impact in academia, business, law and politics, one former debater at 'Whitehall' having attained the office of Prime Minister.
In alliance with her husband, her close friend Lia Looveer B.E.M. and community leaders from many linguisitic groups, Esmé campaigned resolutely for the liberation of the Captive Nations of Eastern Europe. Care for Hungarian refugees after the 1956 Uprising was typical of her humanitarian concern for the victims of Communist aggression.
In 1970 Esmé Jean Darby received from the hand of Her Majesty the Queen the award of Member of the British Empire, in recognition of her charitable activities, which were huge in scope. She was for decades a significant fundraiser for a wide range of charities, including the NSW Crippled Children's Society, the Far West Children's Health Scheme, Sunnyfield, Rose Day, Legacy and the Salvation Army, and was patron of many community organisations in the Manly (NSW) district.
An enthusiastic supporter of the Republic of China and admirer of R.O.C. President Chiang Kai-Shek and Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, Esmé was a benefactor of Taiwan orphanages and a driving force in the Australia Free China Society.
As a lifelong campaigner on a host of issues, including maintenance of educational standards, the rights of single mothers and opposition to smoking, Esmé Jean Darby was in many respects ahead of her time.
She is mourned by her children Jennifer, Rosemary, James, Alison, Norma and Michael, by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, by a far-flung extended family, and by a large number of admiring friends.
A funeral service was conducted at the Enfield Crematorium, Browning Street Clearview, Adelaide, at 3pm on Monday 24th November 1997.
Esmé Jean Darby will always be remembered for her selflessness, her generosity, her kindness and her tolerance. God bless her!
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