She is known as the ‘treasure’ of Wee Jasper.
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The area home to unique fossils and rare artefacts, Flo Davis has been recognised as one such gem.
Flo died in her home at Horton House on Sunday, August 21, surrounded by pictures of her family and her place of birth in Wee Jasper.
During her 93-years, her family attests that not a day was wasted.
Flo’s fame in the Yass Valley is derived from her life spent dealing with most of the challenges faced by women in rural and remote areas. Her survival method and her ability to sustain this lifestyle was achievable by her positive outlook.
It’s the reason an author named Jennifer Barton took an interest in Wee Jasper - Flo being her ‘go to’ encyclopaedia on the village.
The Wee Jasper history book 'You can't eat scenery' by Barton is dedicated to Flo.
“Her skill for growing and preserving food, her resourcefulness and her capacity to work hard – She is an inspiration to all,” Barton writes. “Her knowledge of the history of the valley ... was inspiration for the book.”
Ms Barton spent twelve months picking the brain of a lady whose mother and grandmother were both reared on the river.
Such was the contribution Flo made, inside her personal copy was a heartfelt note written by Ms Barton - "Dear Flo, learning about your life has enriched mine. Thank you for your friendship and your stories, you are indeed Wee Jasper's 'living treasure'."
Flo Davis (nee Gardiner) is the great granddaughter of the first Carey to farm in the Wee Jasper Valley and has lived all her life on the banks of the Goodradigbee River, as her mother and grandmother did before her. She raised three of her own children and is survived by her son Colin and daughter Jean Walmsley Davis.
Flo resided most of her life in her 'Sunny Corner' property at Wee Jasper, which also occupied sheep and old run down automobiles. In February 2015, Flo made the journey to Horton House to live out the remainder of her 93-years.
While the Davis family and Yass Valley community mourn one of its greatest treasures, there’s solace knowing Flo’s life lives on in the words of ‘You can’t eat scenery’.
