Tom and Ellen Towle

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Tom and Ellen Towle
Australian Federal Senate Elections, 1987, Photograph
They are believed to be the only husband & wife Senate candidates to nominate for election as a team in the same election, something they also attempted in Local Government elections.
At 21, Ellen was believed to be the youngest female candidate, up til then, to ever nominate for election to the Australian Federal Senate.

Ellen Elizabeth Towle nee Gates

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Ellen Elizabeth Towle nee Gates b. October 7, 1965

The second wife of Thomas W R Towle 1983 -1992
Tom Towle & Ellen Towle were active and well known in local politics and community affairs and were candidates in the Whyalla City Council elections. Both worked in the social welfare industry, with young offenders, and Tom was also a financial counsellor with a government agency. They also involved themselves in charitable undertakings and purchased their own home in Lock South Australia in 1989.

They stood as team candidates in the Australian Federal Senate elections of 1987.
Unable to have children together, Tom ended their relationship in 1992, so Ellen could have her own family. He already had children from a previous marriage.
Ellen subsequently married and bore children.
Tom remained single.

election photo