Elizabeth Chifley
Elizabeth Gibson Chifley (1 August 1886 – 9 September 1962) was the wife of Ben Chifley, the Prime Minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949. Chifley was born Elizabeth Gibson McKenzie in Bathurst, New South Wales, to George and Isabella McKenzie. She was the eldest of their two daughters, Lizzie and Annie. The family was moderately well-off, Scottish and Presbyterian. She was active in local civic organisations and the church, but does not appear to have been active or interested in the labour movement or politics. She and Ben Chifley, an engine driver like her father, had known each other since their youth, but their romance did not commence until 1912 when they were both in their late twenties. Their relationship began at a dance although Ben did not like dancing. In those days, Elizabeth was considered 'a good catch'. Her family was relatively wealthy, she played the symbol of respectability, the piano, she was skilled in the domestic arts of cooking and sewing, she was suitably religious and still had a great sense of fun. Ben was like Elizabeth's father, serious, dependable, civic-minded and a man of growing stature. Ben was determined to marry her and this they did