{{Short description|Australian politician (1921–2026)}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]] | name = Elisabeth Kirkby | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|OAM}} | office = Member of the [[New South Wales Legislative Council]] | term_start = 27 October 1981 | term_end = 25 June 1998 | successor = [[Arthur Chesterfield-Evans]] | office2 = Councillor for [[Temora, New South Wales]] | term_start2 = 1999 | term_end2 = 2004 | party = [[Australian Democrats]] (1981–1998) | other_party = [[Australian Progressive Alliance]] (2003–2004) | known_for = ''[[Number 96 (TV series)|Number 96]]'' (TV series as "Lucy Sutcliffe") | alma_mater = [[University of Sydney]] | birth_name = Elisabeth Wilma Burton Kirkby | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1921|1|26}} | birth_place = [[Bolton]], Lancashire, England | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2026|4|20|1921|1|26}} | death_place = [[Morning Bay, New South Wales]], Australia | citizenship = Australian | occupation = {{hlist|Politician|actress|radio broadcaster|stage manager|writer|commentator|producer|director|sheep and wheat farmer}} | children = 3 | module = {{infobox military person|embed=yes |allegiance = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom |branch = [[Auxiliary Territorial Service]] |rank = [[Stars in Battledress]] |battles = World War II }} }}
'''Elisabeth Wilma Burton Kirkby''' (26 January 1921 – 20 April 2026) was a British-born Australian politician, actress, radio broadcaster, producer, director and screenwriter.<ref name="NI"/>
Kirkby entered politics in 1977 serving as state parliamentary leader with the [[Australian Democrats]] in the [[New South Wales Legislative Council]] from 1981 to 1998, after which she served a shorter tenure with the [[Australian Progressive Alliance]] party with a seat on [[local government]], as a councillor for [[Temora, New South Wales|Temora]] from 1999 and 2004.<ref name="site"/>
Prior to her political career Kirkby worked in the entertainment arts, having started as an [[stage management|assistant stage manager]] in her native England in 1938 before becoming an actress in theatre, radio, television and film productions.<ref name="NI">{{cite web|url=https://newidea.com.au/number-96-50-years-on|title=50 Years On: How Number 96 changed Aussie TV forever|date=14 March 2022 |publisher=New Idea}}</ref> After working for some years in England starting her career, she relocated to [[British Malaya]] in 1950 after her husband was offered a medical position there, and noting the lack of theatre, served instead as a radio broadcaster, producer, director and screenwriter. She emigrated to Australia in 1965, where she continued her acting career and became known for her small screen role as Lucy Sutcliffe in the serial ''[[Number 96 (TV series)|Number 96]]''.<ref name="n">{{cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/clip/6119529/the-sydney-morning-herald|title=The Real Liz Kirkby|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 June 1973|page=13 }}</ref>
==Early life== Kirkby was born in Welbeck Road in [[Bolton]], [[Lancashire]], (now part of [[Greater Manchester]]) north-west England on 26 January 1921,<ref name="centenarian">{{cite news |last1=Akerman |first1=Tessa |title=Centenarian Elisabeth Kirkby's world war warning |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/centenarian-elisabeth-kirkbys-world-war-warning/news-story/f0c4487ebbdd8ed825b89b06c7df08b4 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=The Australian |date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="hansard">{{cite web |title=The Hon. Elisabeth Kirkby, OAM, Former Member of the Legislative Council |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-84478 |website=Legislative Council Hansard |publisher=Parliament of New South Wales |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> to James Burton Kirkby and Frances Robinson.<ref name="site">{{Cite NSW Parliament |former=Yes |access-date=5 May 2019 |id=1798 |title=The Hon Elisabeth Kirkby OAM (1921- )}}</ref> Kirkby's family moved to [[Turton, Lancashire|Turton]] before she was one. She grew up during the dark years of [[the Great Depression]] and noted the closure of numerous [[cotton mills]], native to the area during this period.<ref name="tbn"/> She attended Nottingham Girls High School.<ref name="site"/>
==Entertainment career== Having worked as an assistant stage manager, Kirkby started her performance career in the United Kingdom in theatre, joining the Manchester Repertory Theatre in 1939. In 1942 she joined the [[Liverpool Playhouse|Liverpool Repertory Theatre]], where she worked for a year before joining the [[Birmingham Repertory Theatre]].<ref name="site"/> During the [[Second World War]], she spent three years working for the war effort with the woman's branch of the [[British Army]]—the [[Auxiliary Territorial Service]]—as an entertainer, writer and producer for [[Stars in Battledress]]. Kirkby appeared in telemovies in the UK including ''Mr. Bolfrey'', and the televised play ''[[Love from a Stranger (1947 TV play)|Love from a Stranger]]'' which was based on a stage production written by [[Frank Vosper]] from a novel by [[Agatha Christie]].<ref name="publication" />
Kirkby relocated to Sydney, Australia in 1965,<ref name="n" /> where she wrote and produced documentaries and educational programs for the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|Australian Broadcasting Commission]] (ABC). After her stint at the ABC, she moved to commercial television, appearing in guest starring drama roles. These included ''[[Riptide (Australian TV series)|Riptide]]'', ''[[The Rovers (TV series)|The Rovers]]'', [[Crawford Productions]]' espionage drama ''[[Hunter (Australian Crawfords TV series)|Hunter]]'', their police drama ''[[Homicide (Australian TV series)|Homicide]]'', and in the serial ''[[The Group (Australian TV series)|The Group]]''. Her next role was that of Lucy Sutcliffe in the soap opera ''[[Number 96 (TV series)|Number 96]]''. The character of Lucy was devised by writer [[David Sale]], who had previously cast her in ''The Group''. He based Lucy and her husband Alf Sutcliffe (played by [[James Elliott (actor)|James Elliott]]) after his own parents from [[Lancashire, England]], even naming the character of Lucy after his mother. "The only difference," said Sale, "was my parents from native England loved Australia, so to make it a little interesting we would have the character of Alf, as the typical whinging Pommy, who was also longing to return to the United Kingdom, despite Lucy's disapproval."<ref name="publication">"Giles, Nigel "NUMBER 96" published by Melbourne Books (2007) {{ISBN|978-1-925556-00-1}}</ref> 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.<ref name="20000309TheAge">{{cite news |author=Schembri, Jim |title=How a classic still shows the way |newspaper=[[The Age]] Green Guide |location=Australia |date=9 March 2000 |page=10 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=Beilby25Years>{{cite book | last =Beilby | first =Peter | title =Australian TV: The First 25 Years | publisher =Cinema Papers | date =1981 | location =Melbourne | pages =40–47 | isbn =978-0-17-005998-5 }}</ref> 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. Kirkby provided a commentary for the DVD release of the series alongside co-star [[Carol Raye]] and [[Michael Kirby (judge)|Michael Kirby]].<ref name="publication"/> After ''Number 96'' Kirkby went into a theatre run in Melbourne, appearing in ''The Jockey Club Stakes'' alongside [[Robert Coote]] and [[Wilfrid Hyde White]] in late 1975. Kirkby and White had previously met 30 years previously in the entertainment division of the army during World War II.<ref name="19751122TVWeek">{{cite news |author=Scott, Eric |title=96 Star's Sentimental Reunion! |newspaper=[[TV Week]] |location=Australia |date=22 November 1975 |pages=20, 34 }}</ref> Kirkby subsequently made guest appearances on Australian drama series such as ''[[The Outsiders (Australian TV series)|The Outsiders]]''.
==Political career== Kirkby entered politics joining the [[Australian Democrats]] in 1979. At that time she was residing in Martinsville in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, after purchasing a property there on the recommendation of [[Sheila Kennelly]], a friend and longtime resident who had a farm in that area. After relocating there she ran for the local parliament seat for the [[Local government areas of New South Wales|Hunter Valley]], with a publicity campaign using her ''Number 96'' role as the basis, stating there are "96's reasons to vote for Liz". She was not elected, attaining 13% of votes, but was subsequently elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1981, as the party's state leader. Upon retiring in June 1998, she became the longest-serving Australian Democrat member of parliament. She remained in politics at a local government level, serving as a councillor in [[Temora Shire]] from 1999 to 2004, with the Democrats spin-off party the [[Australian Progressive Alliance]] founded by [[Meg Lees]].<ref name="publication2">"Giles, Nigel, "NUMBER 96: AUSTRALIA'S MOST INFAMOUS ADDRESS"</ref>
==Personal life and death== Kirkby was married to Australian gynaecologist [[Derek Llewellyn-Jones]] and had three children, a daughter and two sons, four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.<ref name="tbn">{{cite web|url=https://theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11178612.bolton-born-great-grandmother-becomes-australias-oldest-graduate-with-phd-at-93/|title=Bolton-born great-grandmother becomes Australia's oldest graduate with phD at 93|work=[[The Bolton News]]|author=Andrew Beardsley|date=29 April 2014 }}</ref> Her son [[Tony Llewellyn-Jones]] is an Australian actor and producer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Llewellyn-Jones |url=https://opera.org.au/artist/tony-llewellyn-jones/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Opera Australia |language=en-US}}</ref> Debbie Baile, her daughter, became an actress and also appeared in ''Number 96'' in 1975.<ref name="19750705TVWeek">{{cite news |title=A No.96 Family Affair |newspaper=[[TV Week]] |location=Australia |date=5 July 1975 |page=15 }}</ref> Baile also acted in ''[[The Young Doctors]]'' and the film ''[[Undercover (1983 film)|Undercover]]''. Kirkby died on 20 April 2026, at the age of 105.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Hon. Elisabeth Kirkby, OAM (1921 – 2026) |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/member-details.aspx?pk=1798 |website=Parliament of New South Wales |access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref>
==Honours== In 2006 Kirkby earned an Arts Degree and in 2014 a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] from the [[University of Sydney]] at the age of 93, becoming Australia's oldest university graduate. Her thesis was on unemployment during the [[Great Depression]], and she became an advocate for older people to learn and study.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-23/from-number-96-to-australias-oldest-phd-at-93/5407794|title=From Number 96 to Australia's oldest PhD at 93|work=ABC News|date=23 April 2014}}</ref>{{efn|Although she is the oldest such recipient in Australia, the world record is held by 102 year old German Jewish woman [[Ingeborg Rapoport|Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport]], who was awarded a doctorate from the [[University of Hamburg]], after originally being denied by the [[Hitler cabinet|Nazi German Government]], some 77 year's earlier.<ref name="indepedent">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-woman-gets-doctorate-decades-after-nazis-stopped-her-first-attempt-10255076.html|title=German Woman, 102, gets doctorate - 77 years after Nazis stopped her first attempt|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] }}</ref>}} In 2012 she was awarded the national [[Medal of the Order of Australia]], for "service to the Parliament of New South Wales, to the community of Temora, and to the performing arts".<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1146126 KIRKBY, Elisabeth Wilma – OAM], ''It's an Honour'' (Australian Government), 11 June 2012.</ref>
==Filmography== {{refimprove|section|date=April 2026}} ===Film=== {|class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role |- ||1946|| ''Mr. Bolfrey'' (TV movie) || Jean |- |1947|| ''[[Love from a Stranger (1947 TV play)|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=== {|class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role |- |1968–1975|| ''[[Homicide (Australian TV series)|Homicide]]'' || <br/>Mrs. Turnbull /<br/>Ruth Mason || TV series |- |1968|| ''[[Hunter (1967 TV series)|Hunter]]'' || Claire Mathison || TV series, 1 episode |- |1969|| ''[[Riptide (Australian TV series)|Rip Tide]]'' || Joyce Todd || TV series, 1 episode |- |1969|| ''[[The Rovers (TV series)|The Rovers]]'' || Miss Constable || TV series, 1 episode |- |1971|| ''[[The Group (Australian TV series)|The Group]]'' || || TV series, 1 episode |- |1972–1975|| ''[[Number 96 (TV series)|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 (Australian TV series)|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 (actor)|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? (Australian TV program)|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 (Australian TV program)|Breakfast]]'' || Herself with Number 96 actors: Elaine Lee, [[Vivienne Garrett]], Martin Harris, Louise Howitt & David Sale (writer) || TV series, 1 episode |}
==Thesis== * ''[http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9904 Will We Ever Learn From History? The Impact of Economic Orthodoxy on Unemployment during the Great Depression in Australia]'' – doctorate thesis (University of Sydney)
==See also== * [[List of the first women holders of political offices in Oceania]]
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0456579}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} |- {{s-non|reason=First parliamentary leader}} {{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Australian Democrats]] in New South Wales|years=1981–1998}} {{s-aft|after=[[Arthur Chesterfield-Evans]]}} {{s-end}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirkby, Elisabeth}} [[Category:1921 births]] [[Category:2026 deaths]] [[Category:Military personnel from the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton]] [[Category:British stage actresses]] [[Category:Australian soap opera actresses]] [[Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council]] [[Category:Australian Democrats politicians]] [[Category:New South Wales local councillors]] [[Category:British emigrants to Australia]] [[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]] [[Category:University of Sydney alumni]] [[Category:Auxiliary Territorial Service soldiers]] [[Category:Australian sheep breeders]] [[Category:Actresses from Bolton]] [[Category:Women members of the New South Wales Legislative Council]] [[Category:Women local councillors in Australia]] [[Category:Australian women centenarians]] [[Category:20th-century English women]] [[Category:20th-century English politicians]] [[Category:British women centenarians]] [[Category:Politicians from Bolton]]