I am terribly sad thinking of Shirley's passing and I extend my deepest condolences to Joe and their wonderful and extensive family.
I first had the privilege of working with Shirley on a play at La Mama Theatre, called 'The Flood,' written by Jackie Smith, and produced by Moira Finucane and Jackie Smith. Shirley played my mother, and she was a delightful, mischievous, and dear mother, both on the stage and off.
A year or so later we had the pleasure of touring 'The Flood' around theatres in Victoria and NSW, and all of us in the team had a wonderful time together, including lots of talking about families during our long car trips together. I remember Shirley's advice to me in managing my own elderly mother, which was along the lines of 'Don't worry too much about her, we older ladies are tough, she'll manage without you, and she loves you with her whole heart.'
I also remember and cherish Shirley's strong and independent spirit: making her own way to the theatre in Shanghai, from the hotel, having never been in China before; and in later years her courage and generosity in continuing to perform, to sing, to share her own and others' stories.
I am sorry that I cannot be present for the ceremony today, as I am rehearsing another play.
I hold Shirley's memory very dearly, as an inspiration and a guide to how to live with courage, grace, humility and fire, and I will miss her very much.
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Stephanie King17/07/25
16/07/25
