It’s been the key driver in his professional career and in his volunteer roles, which now extend to chair of the South West Music Regional Conservatorium.
Mr Davy succeeds Cheryl Fuller in the role, after she announced her retirement after 35 years with the organisation.
Mr Davy is an engineer by qualification and also holds a law degree.
He grew up in a small community in the NSW Southern Highlands and is the co-owner of a management consultancy practice which specialises in support for councils and communities in regional Australia.
Until the last few years, Ray divided his time between Western Australia and New Zealand where he has business interests in both places.
More recently he was director of infrastructure and development with Balranald Shire Council, but recently relocated to Darlington Point.
Mr Davy’s connection with the Riverina dates back to his first job out of university, when he spent three happy years in Narrandera.
He has stayed in touch with events in the southwest of NSW ever since.
He is a lover of theatre and music and in addition to his involvement with South West Music, he is also on the boards of South West Arts and of Regional Arts NSW.
Using his extensive experience and connections with both the government and commercial sectors, Mr Davy anticipates he will be able to provide the company with a sound commercial framework and access to a wider range of funding opportunities through various partnering initiatives.
He believes that once the conservatorium has undergone its renovation, it will provide the organisation with an ideal opportunity to reposition itself as a regional body and the pre-eminent body for the teaching and performance of music across our region.
SWM was awarded $4.35 million in government funding in August to purchase and completely transform its Cressy St space and create a more modern education and performance facility.
“A vibrant local arts and culture scene is critical to the attraction and retention of people in regional and rural Australia, which is a passion of mine,” Mr Davy said.
“Music education is an essential element of that.
“It is also crucial that young people in regional towns, especially those who lack the interest or skills for organized sport, are given the opportunity to pursue alternative recreational interests including music, and can see that they don’t have to go to the city in order to develop their talents.”
The funding provided to SWM under the NSW Governmnt’s Creative Capital program will allow the organisation to purchase the Cressy St building it has been renting in Deniliquin - the former Commonwealth Bank - and completely overhaul its interior.
An upstairs extension will be added.
The upgrades will incorporate seven teaching studios, a band room, a recording studio, an audiovisual production studio, an artist’s co-working space, and accommodation for visiting teachers, artists, and touring performers.
There will also be state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and acoustic technologies, a flexible foyer/gallery, a 150-200 seat auditorium, and an upstairs outdoor performance deck.
The facility will be fully wheelchair accessible, include all-gender toilets, and be powered by solar panels.
The heritage facade of the building will be preserved.
Mr Davy said he would also like to see SWM have a greater regional profile within the South West area.
He wants to bring in corporate financial support for programs to make maximum use of the facilities that will be developed.
An event to farewell Mrs Fuller and formally welcome Mr Davy is being organised for February.
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