13 Facts About Ellison Quirk

Ellison Wentworth Quirk was an Australian politician.

Ellison Quirk was an Alderman and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing the electorate of Warringah from 1901 to 1904.

Ellison Quirk grew up in the nearby town of Forbes until the age of 15, when his family settled in Manly in 1881.

Ellison Quirk eventually established himself within the Manly community as a Storekeeper and Land Agent.

Ellison Quirk married Margaret Ann Mills on 19 November 1896 and they had two daughters and two sons.

Ellison Quirk involved himself in local politics at the time and identified himself with the Free Trade Party, not uncommon for members of the Sydney business community at the time.

When Henry Parkes won the NSW Legislative Assembly seat of St Leonards in 1885, Ellison Quirk worked in his office.

Ellison Quirk would remain a Manly Alderman until his retirement in 1928.

Ellison Quirk then stood for state office in 1901 when the local member for Warringah, Dugald Thomson, resigned so that he could stand for the seat of North Sydney in the new Federal Parliament.

Ellison Quirk served on a parliamentary committee that resulted in an act that allowed the extension of a railway to the Portland Cement Works.

Ellison Quirk held his seat in parliament until it was abolished as a part of the reduction in size of the Legislative Assembly following federation, and contested the new seat of Middle Harbour at the 1904 election.

Ellison Quirk then stood for election to the first council of the newly proclaimed Warringah Shire Council on 3 December 1906.

In 1918, Ellison Quirk was one of seven Manly aldermen who were charged and found guilty for accepting free ferry passes from the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company.