Young, Ellen Francis

The Poetess of Ballarat: Ellen Young.
Life for the Youngs improved when Frederick opened a pharmacy. He eventually became the first Mayor of Ballarat East (note that until 1921, Ballarat and Ballarat East were two separate municipalities). Frederick died on 4 September 1868, aged 56.

Ellen generally wrote controversial poems that were political, feminist and questioning the status quo. She published many of her poems in The Ballarat Times always signing off as ‘Ellen. F. Young. Ballarat Poetess’. In May 1870, Ellen compiled her poems into a small volume which was donated to the Ballarat Library where it is still located.

Ellen died on 27 January 1872 aged 62. She is buried with her husband in Ballarat Old Cemetery. Location of the the grave is Area DN, section 01, Grave 04.