Elisabeth Kirkby
Elisabeth Kirkby | |
|---|---|
| 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 | Australian Democrats (1981-1998) |
| Other political affiliations | Australian Progressive Alliance (2003-2004) |
| 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 |
| Branch | Auxiliary Territorial Service |
| Rank | Stars in Battledress |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
Elisabeth Wilma Burton Kirkby OAM (born 26 January 1921), alternatively Elizabeth Kirkby, is a British-born Australian retired politician, actress, radio broadcaster, producer, director and screenwriter.
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 from 1999 and 2004.
Prior to her political career Kirkby worked in the entertainment arts, having started as an Assistant stage manager in her native England in 1938 before becoming an actress in theatre, radio, television and film productions. 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.