Elisabeth Kirkby
OAM | |
---|---|
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council | |
In office 27 October 1981 – 25 June 1998 | |
Succeeded by | Arthur Chesterfield-Evans |
Councillor for Temora, New South Wales | |
In office 1999–2004 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Elisabeth Wilma Burton Kirkby 26 January 1921 Bolton, Lancashire, England |
Citizenship | Australian |
Political party | Progressive Alliance (2003-2004) |
Other political affiliations | Democrat |
Children | 3 |
Residence | Morning Bay |
Alma mater | University of Sydney |
Occupation |
|
Known for | Number 96 (TV series as "Lucy Sutcliffe") |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Auxiliary Territorial Service |
Rank | Stars in Battledress |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Elisabeth Wilma Burton Kirkby
Prior to her political career Kirkby worked in film, television and theatre, starting from 1938 as an assistant stage manager in her native England[3] before becoming a radio broadcaster, producer, director and screenwriter in British Malaya. She emigrated to Australia, where she became known for her small screen role as Lucy Sutcliffe in the serial Number 96.[4]
Early life
Born in Bolton, Lancashire, (now part of Greater Manchester) north-west England to James Burton Kirkby and Frances Robinson[5] Kirkby's performance career began in the United Kingdom during the second world war, where she spent three years working for the war effort with the woman's branch of the British Army the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and as an entertainer, writer and producer for Stars in Battledress.
Entertainment career
She appeared in telemovies in her native United Kingdom including Mr. Bolfrey and the televised play .
Her next role was that of Lucy Sutcliffe in the soap opera
Kirkby was an original cast member of Number 96 which premiered March 1972. Unsure of how long the series would last, the producers offered the original cast contracts lasting just six weeks.[7] The show became Australia's 10th highest-rated television program in 1972, was the number 1 highest rating program in 1973 and 1974, and the 6th highest rated program for 1975.[8] The episode in which it was revealed that Lucy's tumour was benign proved to be Number 96's highest-ever rated episode. In late 1973 the show had a feature film spin-off featuring much of the show's current cast, including Kirkby, reprising their television roles. Kirby provided a commentary for the DVD release of the series alongside co-star Carol Raye and Michael Kirby[6]
After Number 96 Kirkby went into a theatre run in Melbourne, appearing in The Jockey Club Stakes alongside
Political career
Kirkby became a politician and was elected to the New South Wales legislative council in 1981. She was the Australian Democrats' New South Wales state leader and became the longest-serving Australian Democrat member of parliament before retiring in June 1998. She remained in politics, at a local government level, serving as a councillor in Temora Shire from 1999 to 2004. In November 2010 she sold her sheep and wheat farm in Temora, New South Wales and moved to Morning Bay on Pittwater's western foreshore, accessible only by boat.
Personal life and honours
Kirkby is divorced and has one daughter and two sons, Debbie Baile, her daughter became an actress and appeared in Number 96 in 1975.[10] Baile also acted in The Young Doctors and the film Undercover.
In 2006 Kirkby earned an Arts Degree and in 2014 a
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1946 | Mr. Bolfrey (TV movie) | Jean |
1947 | Love from a Stranger (TV movie) | Mavis Wilson |
1974 | Number 96 (TV movie) | Lucy Sutcliffe |
1976 | Number 96 ... And they said it wouldn't last (TV documentary movie) | Herself |
1979 | Challenging Years (film short) | Jenny Walker |
Television
Year | Title | Role | |
---|---|---|---|
1968-1975 | Homicide | Mrs. Turnbull / Ruth Mason |
TV series |
1968 | Hunter | Claire Mathison | TV series, 1 episode |
1969 | Rip Tide | Joyce Todd | TV series, 1 episode |
1969 | The Rovers | Miss Constable | TV series, 1 episode |
1971 | The Group | TV series, 1 episode | |
1972–1975 | Number 96 | Lucy Sutcliffe | TV series |
1976 | Number 96: And They Said It Wouldn't Last | Herself | TV special |
1977 | Number 96: The Final Episode | Herself with Number 96 cast | TV series, 1 episode |
1977 | The Outsiders | Pat Ryder | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
1977 | Glenview High | Mrs. Mackay | TV series, 1 episode |
1980 | Players in the Gallery | TV miniseries | |
1982 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest - Herself with Terry Norris | TV series, 1 episode |
1986 | Kids 21st Birthday Channel Ten Telethon | Guest - Herself with Number 96 cast: Johnny Lockwood, Bettina Welch, Pat McDonald, Vicki Raymond, Sheila Kennelly, Wendy Blacklock, Harry Michaels, Chard Hayward, Frances Hargreaves & Abigail taped appearance. | TV special |
1996 | Where Are They Now? | Guest - Herself with Number 96 actor James Elliott | TV series, 1 episode |
2007 | Where Are They Now? | Guest - Herself with 'Number 96 cast: Joe Hasham, Chard Hayward, Chantal Contouri, Elaine Lee, Sheila Kennelly, Jeff Kevin, James Elliott & Frances Hargreaves | TV series, 1 episode |
2010 | Ten News |
Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
2012 | Breakfast | Herself with Number 96 actors: Elaine Lee, Vivienne Garrett, Martin Harris, Louise Howitt & David Sale (writer) | TV series, 1 episode |
Thesis
- Will We Ever Learn From History? The Impact of Economic Orthodoxy on Unemployment during the Great Depression in Australia – doctorate thesis (University of Sydney)
Notes
- ^ Although she is the oldest such recipient in Australia, the world record is held by 102 year old German Jewish woman Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport, who was awarded a doctorate from the University of Hamburg, after originally being denied by the Nazi German Government, some 77 year's earlier.[12]
See also
References
- ^ Akerman, Tessa (25 January 2021). "Centenarian Elisabeth Kirkby's world war warning". The Australian. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "The Hon. Elisabeth Kirkby, OAM, Former Member of the Legislative Council". Legislative Council Hansard. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "50 Years On: How Number 96 changed Aussie TV forever". New Idea.
- ^ a b "The Real Liz Kirkby". 25 June 1973.
- ^ "The Hon Elisabeth Kirkby OAM (1921- )". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-925556-00-1
- ^ Schembri, Jim (9 March 2000). "How a classic still shows the way". The Age Green Guide. Australia. p. 10.
- ISBN 978-0-17-005998-5.
- ^ Scott, Eric (22 November 1975). "96 Star's Sentimental Reunion!". TV Week. Australia. pp. 20, 34.
- ^ "A No.96 Family Affair". TV Week. Australia. 5 July 1975. p. 15.
- ^ "From Number 96 to Australia's oldest PhD at 93". ABC News. 23 April 2014.
- ^ "German Woman, 102, gets doctorate - 77 years after Nazis stopped her first attempt".
- ^ KIRKBY, Elisabeth Wilma – OAM, It's an Honour (Australian Government), 11 June 2012.
External links
- Elisabeth Kirkby at IMDb