Shirley grew up in Alexandra and attended teachers’ college in Dunedin. While training there, in 1949 she met her husband-to-be and they married in 1953. Shirley says she enjoyed every aspect of her teaching career, which culminated in a 10-year principalship. In 1988 Shirley and her husband retired to Alexandra. Experiencing the conditions at Dunstan Hospital was the catalyst which started Shirley on her quest to improve both the equipment and environment at the hospital. She founded the Friends of Dunstan Hospital in 1992, and served this and other organisations promoting health services for Central Otago for many years. In 2009, Shirley was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her work supporting health facilities for the people of Central Otago.

Interviewer: Jo Wilson
Interview Dates:
January 2022

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