Sisters united in honouring their father’s legacy

Donald Alexander AM (B E (Civil) 1951), who died in 2015, was a leader in water engineering in South Australia for four decades. He led the Engineering and Water Supply Department; served as the Murray Darling Basin Commissioner; worked as Director of the Lands Department; and Chaired the State Capital Works Committee. Don had a strong belief that education had the power to solve society’s problems.   

This passion for education was passed down to Don’s three daughters; Elinor, Felicity and Margaret, who have established the Don Alexander Scholarship in Water Engineering, to honour their father’s legacy. 

“Dad had so much drive, energy and commitment to making South Australia a better place, and made a huge contribution to the State,” the Alexander sisters said.  

To have his name, life's work, values, and vision continue through ‘his’ scholarship means so much. This scholarship celebrates his past and ensures ongoing awareness of what he achieved; but also drives this forward into the future through the students who will be involved, and who will themselves be future leaders.Elinor, Felicity and Margaret Alexander

The inaugural Don Alexander Scholarship in Water Engineering, which provides financial assistance to students who are undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) at the University of Adelaide, was awarded in 2020 to Alice Miller.