Elsie Locke
Encyclopedia
Elsie Violet Locke was a New Zealand
writer, feminist
and social activist. She was born Elsie Violet Farrelly in Waiuku
.
. Her life as a student was portrayed in her book Student at the gates.
She married, became Elsie Freeman, had a son Don, and became a divorced solo mother, all in the space of a few years. In 1941, Elsie married Jack Locke, and moved to Christchurch. In 1944 they moved into the Oxford Terrace cottage that was to be their home for the rest of their lives, and where they raised their children, Don, Keith, Maire and Alison. Son Keith Locke
is a current Green Party
MP
, and daughter Maire Leadbeater is a councillor
at Auckland City Council
.
Along with Rod Donald
, Locke was active in the founding of the Avon Loop Planning Association (ALPA) and in the ongoing development of community in the historic Avon Loop residential area in central Christchurch
. Locke received an honorary DLitt from the University of Canterbury
in 1987 for her work in the community. Locke campaigned for a more balanced understanding of New Zealand history.
Elsie Locke died in Christchurch in 2001.
during their lifetime. The Elsie Locke Park 43.5280°N 172.6412°W is located on Oxford Terrace in front of the Centennial Pool.
Each year LIANZA gives the Elsie Locke Award for "the most distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young adults".
In March 2009, Locke was commemorated as one of the Twelve Local Heroes
, and a bronze bust of her was unveiled outside the Christchurch Arts Centre
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
writer, feminist
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
and social activist. She was born Elsie Violet Farrelly in Waiuku
Waiuku
Waiuku is a country town in the Franklin District, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of the Waiuku River, which is an estuarial arm of the Manukau Harbour...
.
Life
Elsie Violet Farrelly was born in 1912, the youngest of six children, and grew up in the tiny south Auckland town of Waiuku. Locke graduated from the University of AucklandUniversity of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
. Her life as a student was portrayed in her book Student at the gates.
She married, became Elsie Freeman, had a son Don, and became a divorced solo mother, all in the space of a few years. In 1941, Elsie married Jack Locke, and moved to Christchurch. In 1944 they moved into the Oxford Terrace cottage that was to be their home for the rest of their lives, and where they raised their children, Don, Keith, Maire and Alison. Son Keith Locke
Keith Locke
Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...
is a current Green Party
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it...
MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, and daughter Maire Leadbeater is a councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
at Auckland City Council
Auckland City Council
Auckland City Council was the local government authority representing Auckland City, New Zealand, and was amalgamated into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010. It was an elected body representing the 404,658 residents of the city...
.
Along with Rod Donald
Rod Donald
Rodney David "Rod" Donald , was a New Zealand politician who co-led the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, along with Jeanette Fitzsimons.He lived in Christchurch with his partner Nicola Shirlaw, and their three daughters....
, Locke was active in the founding of the Avon Loop Planning Association (ALPA) and in the ongoing development of community in the historic Avon Loop residential area in central Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. Locke received an honorary DLitt from the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
in 1987 for her work in the community. Locke campaigned for a more balanced understanding of New Zealand history.
Elsie Locke died in Christchurch in 2001.
Commemoration
Elsie Locke is the only person who has ever had a park named in their honour by Christchurch City CouncilChristchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
during their lifetime. The Elsie Locke Park 43.5280°N 172.6412°W is located on Oxford Terrace in front of the Centennial Pool.
Each year LIANZA gives the Elsie Locke Award for "the most distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young adults".
In March 2009, Locke was commemorated as one of the Twelve Local Heroes
Twelve Local Heroes
The Twelve Local Heroes is a series of bronze busts located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand on Worcester Boulevard outside the Arts Centre to commemorate twelve local Christchurch people who were prominent in their respective fields in the latter part of the 20th...
, and a bronze bust of her was unveiled outside the Christchurch Arts Centre
Christchurch Arts Centre
The Christchurch Arts Centre is a hub for arts, crafts and entertainment in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the neo-gothic former University of Canterbury buildings, the majority of which were designed by Benjamin Mountfort...
.
External links
- Elsie Violet Locke at New Zealand Electronic Text Centre
- Elsie Locke on University of Auckland distinguished alumni list