Cork Frank Elliot
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1911 |
| Place of birth | Gawler. |
| Date of death | 1933 |
Owner of Para Para Mansion, Publisher and Photographer.
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 “intestate” 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
Sources – The Advertiser
- Australian House & Garden Year Book 1985
- Para Para Estate, Conservation Management Plan
Please <click here> to view a photo and newspaper article related to Frank Cork.
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