Richard T. "Joe" Ellwood was born in Devonport, Tasmania, and trained as a cream tester and grader. In August 1937 he moved to Flinders Island to work at the local butter factory owned by the Trueman family. He married Joan Trueman, granddaughter of butter industry pioneer Alfred Trueman, on 8 April 1941. Shortly after their marriage he enlisted in the Australian Army, serving as an artilleryman in northern Australia and the Islands until the end of the Second World War in 1945.

After the war, Joe was allocated Lot 1 on the Whitemark Estate while also returning to work at the butter factory. In 1953 he became factory manager and was granted special permission to continue managing the factory while farming, recognising its importance to the Flinders Island community. His management skills and determination helped keep the butter factory operating until its closure in 1974. Together with his wife Joan, he successfully farmed the property, known as Bulloak, for many years before passing it on to their son, Terence. Joe retired to Launceston in 1989.