My name is Mary Davison, born to Delma Davison (nee Cruse) a Yuin descendant and Leslie Davison a Dharawal descendant. My parents lived on the Reserve at La Perouse when I was born.
I attended La Perouse Public School and then Matraville High School.

I grew up on the Reserve at La Perouse all my life with my family, extended family and friends. We used to go to dances at the “Blue Hall” where we also received all of our vaccinations. We also used to go swimming and diving for money at the old wharf, play ball games including cricket and hit and run on the flat (central part of the ‘Mission’). I remember one year when the flat flooded and all the bigger kids built tin canoes and gave all the younger kids rides. I also recall cracker night when all the kids used to scavenge for and collect burnable materials and we’d build the biggest bonfires all under the supervision of adults. We especially looked forward to the ‘Camp Kids’ visiting every year from country areas of NSW when we would have movie nights.

I remained living at La Perouse all my life where I raised three children of my own and blessed with the care of ten grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.