Sir Kevin William Collin Ellis KBE (15 May 1908 – 22 November 1975) was an Australian politician and solicitor,[1] elected as a Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
Sir Kevin Ellis | |
|---|---|
_c1950.png) Kevin Ellis (1908-1975) c1950 | |
| 23rd Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 26 May 1965 – 3 December 1973 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Ray Maher |
| Succeeded by | Jim Cameron |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 May 1908 Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 22 November 1975 (aged 67) Point Piper, New South Wales, Australia |
| Spouse | Bettie Maunsell |
| Awards | .jpg){kind=small} KBE |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch/service |  Royal Australian Air Force |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Early life and education
editEllis was born in Grenfell, New South Wales to James Ellis, a farmer and migrant from England, and Florence Wyse. He was educated at Fort Street High School, graduated in law at the University of Sydney in 1931, and economics in 1939. He served as president of the University of Sydney Students' Representative Council in 1937 and 1938.
Career
editEllis was a Liberal candidate for Coogee at ten elections, winning seven. After an initial defeat by Labor MLA Lou Cunningham at the 1947 election,[2] however Cunningham died the following year and Ellis won the by-election in 1948, defeating Cunningham's widow.[3][4] The following seven elections over 18 years were contested by Ellis and Labor candidate Lou Walsh. Ellis retained the seat at the 1950 election,[5] before losing it to Walsh in 1953.[6] Ellis regained the seat in 1956,[7] and retained it in 1959,[8] before losing it to Walsh again in 1962.[9] Ellis defeated Walsh in 1965 to regain the seat,[10] defeating Walsh for a final time in 1968.[11] Ellis retained the seat in 1971,[12] before retiring in 1973.[13] With the election of the Askin coalition government, Ellis was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, serving until 1973.[14]
Personal life
editEllis married Bettie Maunsell in July 1941 and they had one daughter and one son. He died in the Sydney suburb of Point Piper, New South Wales.[13]
Honours
editEllis was knighted in 1969 in recognition of service as the Speaker.[13][15]
Sir Kevin Ellis Prize (for the best performance in the combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degree program) until 2008, Faculty of Law/Faculty of Commerce, UNSW.
References
edit- ^ Gascoigne, John (1996). "Ellis, Sir Kevin William Colin (1908–1975)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 14. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1947 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "Politics". Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954). 28 March 1948. p. 25. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1948 Coogee by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1950 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1953 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1956 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1959 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1962 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1965 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1968 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1971 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ a b c "Sir Kevin (William Colin) Ellis (1908 - 1975)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Part Ten - Officers of Parliament" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "The Order of the British Empire - Knights Commander (Civil) (Imperial) (KBE) entry for Mr Kevin ELLIS". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 January 1969. Retrieved 22 May 2020.