BIO

Roy Doudy was the only child of a happy mixed marriage between a Catholic man who liked the odd tipple and a Congregationalist woman who carried the temperance banner. A fast runner and an exciting footballer, he was schooled in the city but returned to the country as a solicitor who enjoyed fishing, shooting and horse riding.

Roy was born on 11 August 1882 at Port Macdonnell, the son of Henry Doudy, who was by turn a farmer, policeman, veterinarian and SA's Deputy Chief Inspector of Stock, and his English-born wife Jane (née Stanes), a pioneering city headmistress.

Once rescued with his father after a boating accident at Kingston, young Roy as a student at Hahndorf College himself was commended for saving a boy from drowning in the River Torrens in 1896.

He switched to Prince Alfred College in 1897 and was influential in the 4.12 to 4.5 defeat of St Peter's in the 1901 intercollegiate match. The PAC Chronicle stated that "Doudy and Throssell proved a pair of splendid backs, the former being remarkable brilliant, while the latter was sure and firm as a rock". In its end-of-season appraisal, the Chronicle commented  on Doudy at half-back right: "Ought to learn to kick left foot; fast, and does good work wherever placed".  Captain of athletics, he edged out another future Norwood footballer, Les Cowan, for the College Cup. 

University studies and sporting activities disrupted Doudy's career at Norwood.  He graduated as a bachelor of science in 1903 and a bachelor of laws in 1906, being admitted to the Bar in 1907.  A highlight of this period was his winning the inter-varsity 100 yards championship in 1905.

Roy married Alice May Ashton and practised law at Riverton, Broken Hill and Murat Bay before becoming a popular solicitor at Port Lincoln.  He took a leading interest in horse racing and served as chairman of the Port Lincoln Football Association. As chairman of the Ceduna Progress Association he had fought for the opening of Thevenard as a deep water port and later was active in the Liberal and Country League. 

Roy Doudy was 73 when he died at Port Lincoln on 13 October 1955.  He was survived by his widow and children Alice (Hyde), John and William.

*For pictures of Roy Doudy we are indebted to his grandson Ken Hyde and Port Lincoln historian Mary Gudzenovs.

P Robins Sept 2018