George Ardill
George Edward Ardill | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 October 1889 Newtown, Australia |
| Died | 13 July 1964 (aged 74) Concord, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, farmer, stock and station agent, auctioneer, motor garage owner, Methodist lay preacher |
| Years active | 1930–1941 (politics) |
| Known for | Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Yass (1930–1941), Government Whip (1937) |
George Edward Ardill (18 October 1889 – 13 July 1964) was an Australian political figure who represented the Yass constituency in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1930 until 1941. He initially belonged to the Nationalist Party and later its successor, the United Australia Party.
Ardill was born in Newtown, the son of George Ardill Sr., known for his conservative evangelical views and support for policies involving the removal of Aboriginal children from their families. His education included attendance at Stanmore Public School followed by studies at Newington College between 1903 and 1907. After completing his education, he engaged in dairy farming at Coraki, before acquiring land in Gunning in 1916. In addition to farming, Ardill worked as a stock and station agent, auctioneer, and owned a motor garage business.
In 1885, George Ardill married Louisa Wales, with whom he had two children: Katie Louisa Ardill, who became a medical doctor and served as a surgeon during World War I, and George Edward Ardill. Following Louisa’s passing in 1920, he remarried Kelsie Hannah Starr the following year.
Throughout his life, Ardill was deeply involved in various community and professional organizations. He served on the Aborigines Protection Board from 1936 to 1945 and held the position of Executive Director for the Society for Providing Homes for Neglected Children from 1945 until his death in 1964. In 1933, he established the Sound Finance League of Australia. Locally, he contributed as a councillor and president of Gunning Shire Council, acted as secretary for the agricultural society, founded a dramatic society, served as branch secretary for both the Primary Producers Union and Graziers Association, and fulfilled duties as a Methodist lay preacher.
Ardill entered state politics by securing the Nationalist seat for Yass in 1930 and successfully retained it through elections in 1932, 1935, and 1938. He was appointed Government Whip in 1937. However, after an unfavorable electoral redistribution, he contested the Goulburn seat in 1941 but was defeated by Labor’s incumbent Jack Tully. His subsequent attempt to return to parliament by running for Hawkesbury in 1944 was also unsuccessful. Following these defeats, Ardill retired from political life.
He passed away in Concord in 1964.