Ellnor Grassby (second from left) with husband Al alongside Elaine and Tom Dyball in Griffith in 1968. Photo: Ros M Dyball/Old Griffith NSW Album Facebook page.
Ellnor Grassby, a colourful, determined and accomplished woman who made history as one of the ACT’s first female politicians, has died at the age of 89.
She was farewelled this week in a service at St Christopher’s Cathedral that brought together old political friends and foes. They recalled a feisty woman, unafraid to speak her mind and often the life of the party.
Ellnor Grassby was elected to the first Legislative Assembly in 1989. She served two terms but lost her Ginninderra seat in the 1995 election.
She was part of Rosemary Follett’s government as the inaugural minister for housing and urban services, one of a string of public roles including her service on the Chief Minister’s Ministerial Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs, the ACT Legal Aid Review Committee, the Status of Women Police Committee, Friends of Old Parliament House Rose Gardens, Women in Racing, Friends of Ireland and many more.
Famously plucky, she was unafraid of authority and well known for her witty retorts in and out of the Assembly chamber.
Ellnor Judith Louez was born in Griffith, where her father was a well-known local businessman of Portuguese origin. It was an era of local dances and tennis parties, a vibrant social scene in the bustling western NSW town where many post-war migrants made their home.
Business was in her blood and throughout her life she approached politics and community service with a clear sense of marketing zeal, born of those early years.
She ran her own clothing business and owned two Sydney hotels. The flamboyant, irresistibly 1970’s ties for which her husband was later famous were designed by Ellnor. Well into old age, she would appear at social events impeccably dressed and coiffed and rarely out of high heels.
Her Catholic faith was a cornerstone in her life and from it, she drew the values of social justice and equity that also drove her public life. While she was open about praying for Labor electoral victories and never missed a campaign, her focus was always primarily on people, need and local issues.
In retirement, she found herself living around the corner in Yarralumla from Heather Henderson, Sir Robert Menzies’ only daughter and the two became both neighbours and good friends.
Her home was filled to the brim with decorative flourishes, each with a story attached. A cup of tea with Ellnor could extend to several hours’ duration as the stories rolled out.
Ellnor was staunchly loyal to her husband Al, who died in 2005 and would talk at length about his career and its challenges. While Al all but defined the notion of a colourful politician, Ellnor was steadfastly loyal to the man and his memory.
She was tremendously proud of the role they both played in opening up a multicultural post-war Australia in which diversity flourished and was celebrated.
They had one daughter, Gabriella, who survives Ellnor as do her grandson and great grandchildren.
Original Article published by Genevieve Jacobs on Region Canberra.
