Mum Shirl
The story of Shirley Smith
 
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A small selection of items about Mum Shirl (Shirley Smith)
self-confessed MRC (Mad Roman Catholic) and "Black Saint" of Redfern.
 
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Portrait of Shirley Smith hanging in St Vincent's

The lamp of the body is the eye. Matthew, 6:22

Shirley Smith's great hero and patron saint was Martin de Porres. Martin was a mixed race Dominican brother and barber-surgeon who lived 400 years ago in Lima, Peru. According to Martin's neighbors 400 years ago in Lima, Martin cured and protected people, animals and church mice. Take a look at St. Martin's holy card and you'll see the church mouse.

Perhaps St Martin, with Mum Shirl's help, is still guiding church mice today.

Thank you, Kathy H.


 
 
Biographical entry, Australian Women's Archives Project by Clare Land, National Foundation for Australian Women
- 3/09/2002
Mum Shirl (c. 1924 - 1998) AM, MBE Community worker Born: c. 1924 Erambie Mission, West Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. Died: 28 April 1998. A Wiradjuri woman, MumShirl was born Colleen Shirley Perry on Erambie Mission, West Cowra, New Sou ... ... [more]  
 
White Inhumanity by Ted Kennedy
- 22/11/2000
Tribute to Mum Shirl - Ted Kennedy In late November 2000 the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Sydney's inner city Annandale staged the exhibition, "Mum Shirl: The Sacred Trust of Memory", which subsequently moved to the Powerhouse Museum. It was opened ... ... [more]  
 
A great hero by William Deane
- 22/11/2000
Tribute to Mum Shirl - Williame Deane In late November 2000 the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Sydney's inner city Annandale staged the exhibition, "Mum Shirl: The Sacred Trust of Memory", which subsequently moved to the Powerhouse Museum. It was opened ... ... [more]  
 
A document for reconciliation by Frank FLETCHER
- 1/12/1999
In 1991 the Federal Parliament voted unanimously to establish the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation to promote and guide a formal process of reconciliation. One task Parliament set the Council was "to consult Aborigines and Torres Strait Island ... ... [more]  
 
HOMILY - ON THE OCCASION OF THE FUNERAL OF SHIRLEY SMITH by Fr Ted Kennedy
- 4/05/1998
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY TED KENNEDY MAY 4 1998 ON THE OCCASION OF THE FUNERAL OF SHIRLEY SMITH ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL SYDNEY “Mum Shirl" was born Colleen Shirley Perry on 22nd November 1924 at Cowra. She was born into what many whites accepted as pre- ... ... [more]  
 
Freedom fighter #5 by The Koorie History Website
- 1/05/1998
Shirley Perry Smith (Mum Shirl) ~ 1924-1998 Colleen Shirley Perry, tireless community worker, died on 28 April 1998 aged 73. Shirley was born on the Erambie Reserve, Cowra, of Wiradjuri descent. Born into a large family, young Shirley received g ... ... [more]  
 
 

 

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