Elliott was born to Harry James Golder and Ailsa Lorraine Trengove in Melbourne, and was educated at Ashburton Primary School and Camberwell CEGGS, graduating in 1960.
[citation needed] From 1965–1967 she was a teacher at Blackburn High School, and became an Honorary Probation Officer with the State Correction Service in 1967, combining this with raising her three children by John Elliott (this marriage was later dissolved).
Their eldest child is the investment banker and radio and television presenter Tom Elliott.
In 1983 she became an English Literature teacher at Donvale Living and Learning Centre, and in 1986 became one of the Liberal Party's Federal Council Delegate, as well as Metropolitan Female Vice-President.
Her seat of Mooroolbark was abolished in 2002; she contested its replacement, Kilsyth, but was defeated by Labor candidate Dympna Beard.