MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 14th June, 2012
Australian Democrats congratulate Elisabeth Kirkby on long overdue Honours
The Australian Democrats have congratulated former New South Wales MLC, Hon. Elisabeth Kirkby on her Queen’s Birthday Honour – the Order of Australia Medal.
Ms Kirkby, now 91, had a distinguished career serving 18 years as an Australian Democrats MLC in the New South Wales parliament. One of the Democrats earliest leaders, she was regarded by party members as an excellent parliamentary debater.
NSW Democrats President, Drew Simmons said “Finally! One of the earliest and longest serving Centrists in Australian politics has been recognised for her outstanding and lengthy contribution to society and politics.
“If you knew one percent of Ms. Kirby’s history, you would know she never stops giving. She moved smoothly from an acting career in to state politics, and when she retire from that she moved into local government. And now in her nineties, she is completing a PhD to offer something for the future”.
National President, Darren Churchill said, “This is a wonderful recognition for our longest serving member of Parliament. However, Elisabeth Kirkby has been notable not just as a wonderful Democrats MLC but also for her services to the dramatic arts and leadership in the women’s movement.
“In our party’s ’30 Years’ book, Ms Kirkby described entering the NSW Legislative Council as joining what “was regarded as an old boys’ club.” She certainly broke new ground in changing that. A richly deserved Honour.” Mr Churchill concluded.
Contact:
Drew Simmons
President, Australian Democrats (NSW Division)
president@nsw.democrats.org.au
Tel: 0408 027 559
Darren Churchill
National President, Australian Democrats
president@democrats.org.au
Tel: 0412 196 473
Darren Churchill: Australian Democrats Campaigns 