born on 22 November 1921 at Erambie Mission, West Cowra in New South Wales.
My name is Colleen Shirley Smith, but I am better known as ‘Mum Shirl’. I
represent ‘Australians All’ because of my work amongst Aboriginal people. My
welfare work started from visits I used to make in the 1940s to my brother who was in
jail. I took it upon myself to visit many Aboriginal prisoners in jails. I got in to see
them by claiming to be their mum! Later I was granted a lifetime visitor’s pass to
all New South Wales jails. I also took many needy Aboriginal children into my own home,
personally fostering over 60 children myself. Then, in 1971, I helped to set up legal,
medical and welfare services in Redfern, Sydney, for Aboriginal people.
IDEA
FOR SCENE: MUM SHIRL HAS A PART IN THE PLAY SCRIPT PROVIDED WITH THIS PLAY KIT!
IDEA
FOR SCENE: MUM SHIRL HAS A PART IN THE PLAY SCRIPT PROVIDED WITH THIS PLAY KIT!
1901-2001 Centenary of
Federation