Kevin Ellis (politician)

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The Honourable
Sir Kevin Ellis
KBE
Kevin Ellis (1908-1975) c1950
Kevin Ellis (1908-1975) c1950
23rd Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
In office
26 May 1965 – 3 December 1973
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded byRay Maher
Succeeded byJim Cameron
Personal details
Born(1908-05-15)15 May 1908
Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia
Died22 November 1975(1975-11-22) (aged 67)
Point Piper, New South Wales, Australia
SpouseBettie Maunsell
Awards KBE
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/service Royal Australian Air Force
RankFlight lieutenant
Battles/warsWorld War II

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.

Early life and education[edit]

Ellis 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[edit]

Ellis 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[edit]

Ellis 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[edit]

Ellis 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]

  1. ^ Gascoigne, John (1996). "Ellis, Sir Kevin William Colin (1908–1975)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 14. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  2. ^ Green, Antony. "1947 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Politics". Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954). 28 March 1948. p. 25. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  4. ^ Green, Antony. "1948 Coogee by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  5. ^ Green, Antony. "1950 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  6. ^ Green, Antony. "1953 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. ^ Green, Antony. "1956 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. ^ Green, Antony. "1959 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  9. ^ Green, Antony. "1962 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  10. ^ Green, Antony. "1965 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  11. ^ Green, Antony. "1968 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  12. ^ Green, Antony. "1971 Coogee". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  13. ^ a b c "Sir Kevin (William Colin) Ellis (1908 - 1975)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Part Ten - Officers of Parliament" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  15. ^ "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.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Coogee
1948–1953 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Coogee
1956–1962
Preceded by Member for Coogee
1965–1973 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
1965–1973 		Succeeded by
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