Cork Frank Elliot

**Fast Facts**
Type of person	Individual
Date of birth	1911
Place of birth	Gawler.
Date of death	1993

Owner of Para Para Mansion, Publisher and Photographer.

Frank Cork was born at Gawler, South. Aust., on 19th February, 1911, the second child of Leslie and Edith Cork. His father’s job necessitated a number of moves, and the family left Gawler when Frank was three, shifting to Balaklava, later to Kilkenny and back to Gawler.

Frank did some freelance journalism - when he left school he worked for a short time in a garage then the Post Office, and also at Holdens. He completed his Commercial Arts Course, Stott’s Diploma General Commercial Art 11th October 1932. With this completed Frank was determined to set up his own business.

He took an office in the A.N.A. Building, Angas Street, Adelaide, producing much advertising work for various magazines and businesses. His journalist work included articles written in 1936 for the Gawler Centennial entitled ‘Gawler’s 100 Years’ and ‘Gawler’s Ancient Homes’. In June 1st 1936 edition of Homes and Gardens Frank wrote the article ‘Splendour That Was’ - the story of the old Duffield Home at Gawler. This was to change the life of the family as his parents decided to purchase and renovate the old home for which demolition tenders had been called.

‘Para Para’ was to become Frank’s other absorbing interest - working on renovations and helping establish an almond grove. He would often spend the early part of the day at Gawler, then drive to the City mid morning. In the early 1940’s Frank shifted to an office in the Theatre Royal Building, Hindley Street and publishing began to take over as the most important part of his business, producing many magazines for various organizations including “The Grower”, “Mothers & Babies”, “The Rising Sun”, “The Banker’s Journal”, “The Wheatgrowers”, “The Optimist” and other local publications, and books, including -“The Christmas Kangaroo” and “This is Australia” both by Ian Mudie “Kirsova Australian Ballet” and “Ballet Art & Photography” both with illustrations by Trevor Clare and photography of the latter by Darian Smith. “The Cosmic Rhythm of Art and Literature” by Mary P. Harris. Frank himself wrote several books “Tales from the Cattle Country” and a series of books for children.

Photography was always a hobby, and he belonged to a Photographic Club and had his own darkroom at ‘Para Para’. Frank began entering competitions in the late 50’s and continued competing through to the 1970’s.
Frank shifted his office to Aston House in Leigh Street and his developed an interest in art reflected in the changing emphasis of his business - Graphic Wholesale Distributors of Australian and Imported Fine Art Prints,

Frank Cork was a very private person. He finally sold his business in 1991 but failing health meant that he was forced to sell the home he loved, and go to Martindale Home where he died 20th August, 1993 aged 82 years

In 1940 tenders were called for the demolition of historic Para Para mansion.

Frank’s parents – local telephone mechanic, Gerlen Leslie Manuel Martin Cork, and his wife Edith Elizabeth Cork, purchased the property before any demolition was finally planned and they commenced restoration of the mansion starting with the ground floor.

Gerlen, known as Leslie Cork died on 26th June 1959. His wife, Edith died five years later on 8th April 1964. Edith died “interstate” leaving two children, Dulcie Beryl Payne and Frank Elliot Cork. In June 1965 Para Para was transferred to Frank Cork, a publisher after he settled with his sister for her half share of the property.

Frank Cork continued his parents work in restoring Para Para. He employed the Austrian master painters Josef and Werner Otto to restore much of the internal paintwork in the front reception rooms. These painters had previously worked on the restoration of Ayers House in Adelaide. Frank Cork painted the exterior of Para Para and in 1973 he was able to organise a gala function viz; a concert by the locally born world-renowned violinist Brenton Langbein.

Frank Elliot Cork was also a prolific photographer and entered his large-format black & white prints in competitions around Australia and overseas, winning many prizes. A collection of his works is held in the State Library – see the attached article published in the Adelaide Advertiser.

Compiled by Geoff Watson and Paul Barnet

Please <click here> to view a photo and newspaper article related to Frank Cork.