1. A basic biography (100 words - 111)
Shirley Colleen Smith, more commonly known as ‘Mum Shirl’ was born on the 22 November 1924, she was a Wiradjuri woman born in West Cowra, New South Wales. Mum Shirl was a prominent aboriginal activist devoted to the wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians. She was a founding member of many services including the Aboriginal Legal and Medical Services. In her lifetime she also visited countless Aboriginal prisoners in jail and raised 60 foster children. For her work she was nominated a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985 and a Member of the British Empire in 1997. On the 28 April 1998 Mum Shirl died at the age of 74.
2. Outline of their contribution to Christianity/Religion in Australia (100 - 99 words)
Mum Shirl was an essential and committed part of Aboriginal Christianity in Australia. She was a very devout catholic, often referring to herself as a “Mad Roman Catholic”. In 1971 the Pastoral Council of the Archdiocese of Sydney set up an Aboriginal Affairs Sub-Committee, of which Mum Shirl was part of. The main task of the committee was to advise the cardinal about Aboriginal affairs and make recommendations. She also worked with the Sisters of …show more content…
She discovered that her visits were beneficial to other prisoners as well, so began to assist aboriginals who were charged with a crime and unfamiliar with the legal system. Mum Shirl also spent considerable time finding homes for aboriginal children whose parents could not look after them. The children who she was unable to find a home for often came to live with her, and by 1990 she had raised over 60 children. She also helped build community by founding many Aboriginal support services including Mum Shirl’s Redfern house seeking shelter, Aboriginal legal and medical services as well as campaigning for land
Shirley Colleen Smith, more commonly known as ‘Mum Shirl’ was born on the 22 November 1924, she was a Wiradjuri woman born in West Cowra, New South Wales. Mum Shirl was a prominent aboriginal activist devoted to the wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians. She was a founding member of many services including the Aboriginal Legal and Medical Services. In her lifetime she also visited countless Aboriginal prisoners in jail and raised 60 foster children. For her work she was nominated a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985 and a Member of the British Empire in 1997. On the 28 April 1998 Mum Shirl died at the age of 74.
2. Outline of their contribution to Christianity/Religion in Australia (100 - 99 words)
Mum Shirl was an essential and committed part of Aboriginal Christianity in Australia. She was a very devout catholic, often referring to herself as a “Mad Roman Catholic”. In 1971 the Pastoral Council of the Archdiocese of Sydney set up an Aboriginal Affairs Sub-Committee, of which Mum Shirl was part of. The main task of the committee was to advise the cardinal about Aboriginal affairs and make recommendations. She also worked with the Sisters of …show more content…
She discovered that her visits were beneficial to other prisoners as well, so began to assist aboriginals who were charged with a crime and unfamiliar with the legal system. Mum Shirl also spent considerable time finding homes for aboriginal children whose parents could not look after them. The children who she was unable to find a home for often came to live with her, and by 1990 she had raised over 60 children. She also helped build community by founding many Aboriginal support services including Mum Shirl’s Redfern house seeking shelter, Aboriginal legal and medical services as well as campaigning for land