For Dr Jane Davis (BA ’82, PhD Phil ’09), education has always been a guiding light – a value deeply rooted in her upbringing, shaped by her time at The University of Western Australia, and now carried forward through a profound act of generosity.
Dr Davis, an historian and educator, reflects fondly on her formative years at UWA.
“It was an incredibly positive experience,” she recalls. “The academic rigour, being fully immersed in learning and meeting lots of different people while living on campus – it all shaped me in lasting ways.”
Education was free at that time, and something Dr Davis doesn’t take for granted; that opportunity laid the foundation for a life of purpose: one that she now helps extend to others.
Inspired by her own journey and the legacy of her late father, Associate Professor Frank Mansfield, Jane established the Frank Mansfield Rural Pathway Scholarship. Associate Professor Mansfield was not only the former Head of Department of the Medical School at UWA, he was also a pioneer of rural vocational training, supported patients with leprosy in the north, and established the Rural Clinical School of WA.
With the support of her husband Matt Davis (BE ’81), a former scholarship recipient and UWA alumnus, Dr Davis set up the scholarship to honour her father’s tireless efforts to improve health outcomes in regional communities.
Image: Dr Jane Davis and Associate Professor Frank Mansfield
“My father was passionate about supporting young clinicians, particularly in rural WA,” Dr Davis said. “I wanted to honour that commitment and give back in a way that reflects the values I was raised with: resilience, compassion, and belief in the importance of education.”
The current recipient of the Frank Mansfield Rural Pathway Scholarship is Mishka Bayar (BBiomedSc ’23) who speaks about the difference it has made.
“The providence of the scholarship has really let me focus my undivided attention on my studies and career prospects,” Mishka said.
Originally from Mongolia, Mishka’s family had arrived in Australia more than a decade ago to enable his mother to pursue her PhD and career as a chemical engineer. The family then moved to Kalgoorlie, where Mishka’s parents worked in mining labs. Mishka found inspiration in being surrounded by academics and scientists, and was inspired by his mother to pursue a degree. However, the family’s circumstances at that time made it challenging.
The Frank Mansfield Rural Pathway Scholarship was established for that very reason – to allow a medical student of rural origin to commence undergraduate and Doctor of Medicine studies at UWA, studying away from their rural homes and being able to serve in regional or remote WA after graduating.
“I am inspired by my parents’ journey to be the best I can be, and I’m so grateful to Dr Jane and Mr Matt Davis for this opportunity to focus on my studies without having to count my dollars and work odd jobs just to survive,” Mishka said.
The generosity of Dr Jane and Matt Davis is a powerful reminder: philanthropy isn’t just about giving; it’s about building futures – one resilient student at a time.