QUINN George
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Title
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QUINN George
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Description
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Well known Sorell resident; long serving Sorell School bus driver
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Biographical text
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George Quinn was one of 10 children born to George and Eliza Mary Quinn. His father was a builder and was known for building the Sorell Council Chambers. George began at Sorell School in 1926 and left when he was 15 years old to work for Tom Hobden, the local baker. George was known as ‘The Boy’. By 20 he was the master baker and operated out of the bakery in Cole Street before building Quinn’s Bakery in 1947. George retired from baking in 1947.
While working as a baker George obtained a Public Vehicle License in 1939 and began driving the school bus run which he continued after his retirement from baking. He was a founding member of the Sorell Bowls Club, and supporter of the Sorell Football Club.
Note: Information for this biographical note was taken from the Spec News (Forcett, TAS). The contributor and date is unknown. To obtain a copy, visit https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/1350013. The Sorell Historical Society holds a copy that can be accessed upon request.
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An article in Pitt Water Chronicles Vol 3 by Graeme Evans recounts George's memory of Sorell Football Club success since the early 1900s, including the story of the Ellis Dean Trophy:
"They also won the 1908 Ellis Dean Trophy, which was donated by the Warden of New Norfolk Council and MHA, Ellis Dean. The game had to be played at New Norfolk. The Sorell footballers and supporters gathered at the Sorell Station, having walked or coming by horse transport. They packed the Sorell Train to Bellerive, where they caught a ferry to New Norfolk. They all walked to the Football Ground followed by most of the population of the town.
They won the game and headed back to Sorell. On the way back they made up the following poem to celebrate their win:
"Dean, Dean, Dean, the good old Ellis Dean
It is the finest trophy that New Norfolk ever seen.
We’re not going to tarry, but we are going to carry
Back to Sorell, the good old Ellis Dean."
George, remembered his sister Connie reciting this poem whenever New Norfolk was mentioned. George knew the poem off by heart. George also had a framed photo of Connie dressed as Miss Sorell Football. She looks a bit like Queen Victoria. The photo is now hanging in the Sorell History Room."
The 1908 Ellis Dean trophy was one of the sporting trophies displayed in a timber and glass cabinet high on the wall at Sorell Memorial Hall. In the Sorell Football Club's 140th anniversary year the trophy was moved to the clubrooms at Pembroke Park where it is still on display with other football and cricket club trophies.
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Death notice in The Mercury, 23/2/2016:
"QUINN, George. 21.1.1921 - 21.2.2016
Passed away peacefully. Dearly loved and loving husband of Dulcie for 67 years. Loved father of Wendy and Elizabeth. Father-in-law to Trevor and Tony. Dearly loved Pa of Fiona and Brett and Leith and Sophie. Adored great grandfather of Esther and Patrick. Loved son of the late George and Eliza Quinn. Loved brother of Fan, Hec, Jack, Bill, Jean, Connie, Jim, Madge and Tom (all dec). Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Ningana Nursing Home for their love and care. Always loved, never forgotten."
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Personal communication 3/6/2026 at Sorell History Rooms: visitor Max ??? (a friend of Moya Sharpe), told SHS volunteer Colin Reed that before driving the green bus (in the Dawn Gatehouse painting) "the school bus George drove was a truck with wooden bench seats down each side"
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Family name
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QUINN
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Given name
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George
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Date of birth
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January 21, 1921
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Gender
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Male
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Occupation
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Bus driver
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Member of
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Sorell Football Club TBC
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Lions Club of Sorell
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Sorell Bowls Club – founding member
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Spouse of
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Dulcie Frances Sarah QUINN (nee Gemmell)
b4.8.1916 - d21.8.2016
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Date of death
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February 21, 2016
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Contributor
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Graeme Evans, Dawn GATEHOUSE, Colin REED
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Creator
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SHS (Melinda REED)
Pitt Water Chronicles Volume 3
