William Henry Ellerker

William Henry Ellerker (died 1891) was an architect and politician in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He was Mayor of St Kilda.

Early life

Ellerker was born in England.

Architectural career

In 1853 Ellerker immigrated to Melbourne in 1853 and was employed by architect Thomas Kemp within a few weeks of his arrival.

In 1857 he was elected as an Associate of the original Institute of Architects in Melbourne, then later as a Member and Fellow. In March 1886, he took a 13-month trip to England where he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

In 1863, he moved to Brisbane, Queensland. He submitted a design for the Queensland Parliament House, which was the initially preferred design. However, on advice from architect and politician James Cowlishaw, Ellerker's design and all others were rejected. Amidst controversary regarding the role of Queensland Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin, in the process, another design (by Tiffin himself) was selected. Ellerker returned to Melbourne in 1866.

Local government

Elleker initially lived in South Melbourne but later relocated to St Kilda. There he took an interest in local affairs. He was the correspondent for the local board of advice for three years. In 1881 he was elected as a councillor in the Borough of St Kilda's North ward, after which he was unanimously elected as Mayor of St Kilda. During his tenure, St Kilda was part of the redevelopment of Princes Bridge, contributing £10,000. He was also involved in protecting Albert Park from further residential development. When his term as mayor was over, he was presented with an illuminated address in appreciation of his contributions.

Other interests

Ellerker was a prominent Freemason and Orangeman. In 1886 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace.

Later life

Ellerker died on Monday 30 March 1891 at his residence in Crimea Street, St Kilda following a period of ill health. His funeral was held on Wednesday 1 April 1891 at the Melbourne General Cemetery.

Significant works

Ellerker's significant works include:

• 1865: Teneriffe House, Brisbane (now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register)
• Temperance Hall, Melbourne
• Horticultural Hall, Melbourne
• Protestant Hall, Melbourne
• Carlton Hall, Melbourne (erected by James Munro, Premier of Victoria)
• Bracknell (later The Towers), residence of Sir M.H. Davies (Speaker of Victoria)
• Resident of James Munro, Armadale (Premier of Victoria)
• Residence of C.H. James, Toorak
• Residence of B. Gibson, Royal Park

• "Teneriffe House (entry 600268)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014. 
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• Smith, Alfred Louis; Ellerker, William Henry, 1853-1891, (architect.); Smith & Johnson (architect.) (1895), The Towers formerly Bracknell, corner of Lansell Road and St Georges Road Toorak, retrieved 27 November 2016  CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)