# Elisabeth Kirkby

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Australian politician (1921–2026)

The Honourable 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 (1921-01-26)26 January 1921 Bolton, Lancashire, England Died 20 April 2026(2026-04-20) (aged 105) Morning Bay, New South Wales, Australia Citizenship Australian Party Australian Democrats (1981–1998) Other political affiliations Australian Progressive Alliance (2003–2004) Children 3 Alma mater University of Sydney Occupation Politician actress radio broadcaster stage manager writer commentator producer director sheep and wheat farmer Known for Number 96 (TV series as "Lucy Sutcliffe") Military career Allegiance United Kingdom Branch Auxiliary Territorial Service Rank Stars in Battledress Conflicts 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.[1]

Kirkby entered politics in 1977 serving as state parliamentary leader with the [Australian Democrats](/source/Australian_Democrats) in the [New South Wales Legislative Council](/source/New_South_Wales_Legislative_Council) from 1981 to 1998, after which she served a shorter tenure with the [Australian Progressive Alliance](/source/Australian_Progressive_Alliance) party with a seat on [local government](/source/Local_government), as a councillor for [Temora](/source/Temora%2C_New_South_Wales) from 1999 and 2004.[2]

Prior to her political career Kirkby worked in the entertainment arts, having started as an [assistant stage manager](/source/Stage_management) in her native England in 1938 before becoming an actress in theatre, radio, television and film productions.[1] After working for some years in England starting her career, she relocated to [British Malaya](/source/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](/source/Number_96_(TV_series))*.[3]

## Early life

Kirkby was born in Welbeck Road in [Bolton](/source/Bolton), [Lancashire](/source/Lancashire), (now part of [Greater Manchester](/source/Greater_Manchester)) north-west England on 26 January 1921,[4][5] to James Burton Kirkby and Frances Robinson.[2] Kirkby's family moved to [Turton](/source/Turton%2C_Lancashire) before she was one. She grew up during the dark years of [the Great Depression](/source/The_Great_Depression) and noted the closure of numerous [cotton mills](/source/Cotton_mills), native to the area during this period.[6] She attended Nottingham Girls High School.[2]

## 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 Repertory Theatre](/source/Liverpool_Playhouse), where she worked for a year before joining the [Birmingham Repertory Theatre](/source/Birmingham_Repertory_Theatre).[2] During the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), she spent three years working for the war effort with the woman's branch of the [British Army](/source/British_Army)—the [Auxiliary Territorial Service](/source/Auxiliary_Territorial_Service)—as an entertainer, writer and producer for [Stars in Battledress](/source/Stars_in_Battledress). Kirkby appeared in telemovies in the UK including *Mr. Bolfrey*, and the televised play *[Love from a Stranger](/source/Love_from_a_Stranger_(1947_TV_play))* which was based on a stage production written by [Frank Vosper](/source/Frank_Vosper) from a novel by [Agatha Christie](/source/Agatha_Christie).[7]

Kirkby relocated to Sydney, Australia in 1965,[3] where she wrote and produced documentaries and educational programs for the [Australian Broadcasting Commission](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) (ABC). After her stint at the ABC, she moved to commercial television, appearing in guest starring drama roles. These included *[Riptide](/source/Riptide_(Australian_TV_series))*, *[The Rovers](/source/The_Rovers_(TV_series))*, [Crawford Productions](/source/Crawford_Productions)' espionage drama *[Hunter](/source/Hunter_(Australian_Crawfords_TV_series))*, their police drama *[Homicide](/source/Homicide_(Australian_TV_series))*, and in the serial *[The Group](/source/The_Group_(Australian_TV_series))*.

Her next role was that of Lucy Sutcliffe in the soap opera *[Number 96](/source/Number_96_(TV_series))*. The character of Lucy was devised by writer [David Sale](/source/David_Sale), who had previously cast her in *The Group*. He based Lucy and her husband Alf Sutcliffe (played by [James Elliott](/source/James_Elliott_(actor))) after his own parents from [Lancashire, England](/source/Lancashire%2C_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."[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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](/source/Carol_Raye) and [Michael Kirby](/source/Michael_Kirby_(judge)).[7]

After *Number 96* Kirkby went into a theatre run in Melbourne, appearing in *The Jockey Club Stakes* alongside [Robert Coote](/source/Robert_Coote) and [Wilfrid Hyde White](/source/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.[10] Kirkby subsequently made guest appearances on Australian drama series such as *[The Outsiders](/source/The_Outsiders_(Australian_TV_series))*.

## Political career

Kirkby entered politics joining the [Australian Democrats](/source/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](/source/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 [Hunter Valley](/source/Local_government_areas_of_New_South_Wales), 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](/source/Temora_Shire) from 1999 to 2004, with the Democrats spin-off party the [Australian Progressive Alliance](/source/Australian_Progressive_Alliance) founded by [Meg Lees](/source/Meg_Lees).[11]

## Personal life and death

Kirkby was married to Australian gynaecologist [Derek Llewellyn-Jones](/source/Derek_Llewellyn-Jones) and had three children, a daughter and two sons, four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.[6] Her son [Tony Llewellyn-Jones](/source/Tony_Llewellyn-Jones) is an Australian actor and producer.[12] Debbie Baile, her daughter, became an actress and also appeared in *Number 96* in 1975.[13] Baile also acted in *[The Young Doctors](/source/The_Young_Doctors)* and the film *[Undercover](/source/Undercover_(1983_film))*. Kirkby died on 20 April 2026, at the age of 105.[14]

## Honours

In 2006 Kirkby earned an Arts Degree and in 2014 a [PhD](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy) from the [University of Sydney](/source/University_of_Sydney) at the age of 93, becoming Australia's oldest university graduate. Her thesis was on unemployment during the [Great Depression](/source/Great_Depression), and she became an advocate for older people to learn and study.[15][a] In 2012 she was awarded the national [Medal of the Order of Australia](/source/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".[17]

## Filmography

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### 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](http://hdl.handle.net/2123/9904)* – doctorate thesis (University of Sydney)

## See also

- [List of the first women holders of political offices in Oceania](/source/List_of_the_first_women_holders_of_political_offices_in_Oceania)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Although she is the oldest such recipient in Australia, the world record is held by 102 year old German Jewish woman [Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport](/source/Ingeborg_Rapoport), who was awarded a doctorate from the [University of Hamburg](/source/University_of_Hamburg), after originally being denied by the [Nazi German Government](/source/Hitler_cabinet), some 77 year's earlier.[16]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NI_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NI_1-1) ["50 Years On: How Number 96 changed Aussie TV forever"](https://newidea.com.au/number-96-50-years-on). New Idea. 14 March 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-site_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-site_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-site_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-site_2-3) ["The Hon Elisabeth Kirkby OAM (1921- )"](https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/formermembers/Pages/former-member-details.aspx?pk=1798). *Former members of the [Parliament of New South Wales](/source/Parliament_of_New_South_Wales)*. Retrieved 5 May 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-n_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-n_3-1) ["The Real Liz Kirkby"](https://newspapers.com/clip/6119529/the-sydney-morning-herald). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. 25 June 1973. p. 13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-centenarian_4-0)** Akerman, Tessa (25 January 2021). ["Centenarian Elisabeth Kirkby's world war warning"](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/centenarian-elisabeth-kirkbys-world-war-warning/news-story/f0c4487ebbdd8ed825b89b06c7df08b4). *The Australian*. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hansard_5-0)** ["The Hon. Elisabeth Kirkby, OAM, Former Member of the Legislative Council"](https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-84478). *Legislative Council Hansard*. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tbn_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tbn_6-1) Andrew Beardsley (29 April 2014). ["Bolton-born great-grandmother becomes Australia's oldest graduate with phD at 93"](https://theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11178612.bolton-born-great-grandmother-becomes-australias-oldest-graduate-with-phd-at-93/). *[The Bolton News](/source/The_Bolton_News)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-publication_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-publication_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-publication_7-2) "Giles, Nigel "NUMBER 96" published by Melbourne Books (2007) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-925556-00-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-925556-00-1)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20000309TheAge_8-0)** Schembri, Jim (9 March 2000). "How a classic still shows the way". *[The Age](/source/The_Age) Green Guide*. Australia. p. 10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Beilby25Years_9-0)** Beilby, Peter (1981). *Australian TV: The First 25 Years*. Melbourne: Cinema Papers. pp. 40–47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-17-005998-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-17-005998-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19751122TVWeek_10-0)** Scott, Eric (22 November 1975). "96 Star's Sentimental Reunion!". *[TV Week](/source/TV_Week)*. Australia. pp. 20, 34.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-publication2_11-0)** "Giles, Nigel, "NUMBER 96: AUSTRALIA'S MOST INFAMOUS ADDRESS"

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Tony Llewellyn-Jones"](https://opera.org.au/artist/tony-llewellyn-jones/). *Opera Australia*. Retrieved 15 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19750705TVWeek_13-0)** "A No.96 Family Affair". *[TV Week](/source/TV_Week)*. Australia. 5 July 1975. p. 15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["The Hon. Elisabeth Kirkby, OAM (1921 – 2026)"](https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/member-details.aspx?pk=1798). *Parliament of New South Wales*. Retrieved 23 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["From Number 96 to Australia's oldest PhD at 93"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-23/from-number-96-to-australias-oldest-phd-at-93/5407794). *ABC News*. 23 April 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-indepedent_16-0)** ["German Woman, 102, gets doctorate - 77 years after Nazis stopped her first attempt"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-woman-gets-doctorate-decades-after-nazis-stopped-her-first-attempt-10255076.html). *[Independent.co.uk](/source/Independent.co.uk)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [KIRKBY, Elisabeth Wilma – OAM](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1146126), *It's an Honour* (Australian Government), 11 June 2012.

## External links

- [Elisabeth Kirkby](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0456579/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

Party political offices First parliamentary leader Leader of the Australian Democrats in New South Wales 1981–1998 Succeeded by Arthur Chesterfield-Evans

Authority control databases: People Trove Australian Women's Register Deutsche Synchronkartei

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