Obituary : pioneer of ACT politics Ellnor Grassby remembered | Bega District News

begadistrictnews.com.au · Feb 24, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Ellnor Grassby, one of the pioneering self-government politicians who was elected to the first ACT Legislative Assembly in 1989, was remembered as "fierce, funny and loyal", at her funeral at St Christopher's Cathedral in Canberra on Tuesday.Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperAll other in your areaMrs Grassby died on February 16, aged 89. Her coffin at St Christopher's was draped with the Australian flag.Ellnor Grassby was married to former Whitlam government immigration minister Al Grassby for 43 years, until his death in 2005.Ellnor Grassby with a statue of her husband Al Grassby unveiled in Canberra in 2007. Picture by Gary SchaferGabriella Davis, the Grassbys' only child, who now lives in Brisbane, gave the eulogy for her mother at St Christopher's on Tuesday.She later told The Canberra Times that her father was "the big picture person" and her mother "the details person".They were "a formidable team", unique and as individual as each other."There will never be another Al Grassby and there will never be another Ellnor Grassby," Ms Davis said.Mrs Grassby served in the assembly from 1989 to 1995.She was "known for her witty retorts during question time and her dedication to grassroots issues", her daughter remembered.Al Grassby with his wife Ellnor in 2004. Picture by Graham TidyMrs Grassby was a lifelong member of the Labor Party and worked for more than 50 years on every election day for territory, state and federal elections. She always prayed for a Labor win.Born in Griffith, NSW, she married Al Grassby, the former NSW Labor Member for Murrumbidgee, federal Labor member for Riverina and former minister for immigration.Mrs Grassby served 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 other community-based projects.Gabriella told the congregation at St Christopher's that her mother was known as a born organiser and fundraiser who "never took 'no' for an answer"."This was never more evident in her innovative, before its time, approach to her husband's re-election campaigns, whereby Ellnor managed to get the latest TV stars to attend her productions along with a local choir, a local dance school and any up-and-coming local artist who was willing to have a go," Ms Davis remembered.Mrs Grassby was born and raised in Griffith, in the heart of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme, the daughter of George Louez, business owner and prominent community member. She "had a deep love of the country, the opportunities it afforded her and the lifelong friends she made", her daughter said.As a young woman, Ellnor started her own business in clothing and manufacturing, opening stores in Griffith and Sydney. She also bought two pubs in Sydney with a friend and tried her hand at pulling beer. And she designed jewellery and men's ties, many of which her husband wore proudly, and infamously.Al Grassby, in 2001, with then ACT Labor senator Kate Lundy, was known for his outlandish ties, many of which had been designed by his wife, Ellnor. Picture by Gary Schafer"Not shy for extravagances, Ellnor once organised for the Ringling Brothers circus, who were in town at the time, to parade their elephants past her city pub at the Trades Hall Hotel in Sydney because it was her partner's birthday and she loved elephants," Mrs Davis said."Only later did we all discover that she had offered them unlimited beer."Ellnor Grassby (left) with Perlita Swinbaank and Ingrid Murphy at a Canberra event in 1997. Picture by Gary SchaferMrs Grassby came from "a family of adventurers and pioneers".Her father, the son of a Portuguese sailor, came to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme seeking his fortune, later becoming the baker, the wholesaler, and the hardware merchant. "This adventurous spirit ran in Ellnor's veins - she was always off on a trip to somewhere exotic, returning to regale everyone with outrageous stories of her antics," Ms Davis said at the funeral.Ellnor Grassby (centre) in 2019 with other MLAs from the first Assembly marking the 30th anniversary of the 1989 election. Picture by The Canberra Times"Never afraid to have a go, Ellnor took part in everything, and like her father, wore many hats throughout her life."A brave, loyal and fierce woman who could stare down any world leader and then make a hilarious joke about it afterwards".Mrs Grassy mentored many young women who wanted to enter politics and welcomed many people into her home in Yarralumla, always a fantastic host."Ellnor expressed a deep commitment to the values of fairness, equity and compassion in her public life," her daughter said.Ellnor Grassby ahead of the 1989 ACT elections where she stood as a Labor candidate. Picture supplied"She often took up the cases and causes of people who felt left behind. She freely mixed her faith with her politics and insisted that we all do more to make things better, kinder and fairer."Ellnor Grassby is survived by her daughter, grandson and two great-grandchildren.DailyYour morning newsToday's top stories curated by our news team.