“I’m his Mum.” That simple reply became a powerful symbol of compassion. Today we stand before the Mrs Colleen Summers Plaque. It commemorates a truly remarkable woman. She was commonly known as Mum Shirl. She was a tireless community worker.
Mrs Colleen Summers lived a life devoted to others. She was born Colleen Shirley Perry in 1924. Her family was descended from the Wiradjuri tribe. From a young age, she faced hardship. She suffered from epilepsy without proper healthcare. This lack of care cost her, her education. It also cost her steady employment. Later, it even cost her her children’s well-being.
Despite these challenges, Mum Shirl found strength in helping others. Her compassion began with her brother. He was imprisoned for petty theft. She visited him in jail. There, she saw many prisoners had no visitors. She extended her visits to them. She offered them someone to talk to. This earned her the nickname “Mum Shirl”. It reflected the prisoners’ affection and respect for her.
Mum Shirl’s work extended beyond prison walls. She reached out to impoverished Aboriginal communities in Sydney. She saw the struggles they faced. These struggles included poverty, discrimination, and violence. Mum Shirl provided shelter, food, and friendship. She helped those newly arrived in the city. She worked tirelessly for the vulnerable. These included children, single mothers, and the homeless.
Her home became a sanctuary. She fostered over 60 children. The real number she helped is beyond counting. She appeared in Children’s Court so often. The courts simply placed children in her care. She lifted up alcoholics who had not eaten. She provided them with meals. She rented houses throughout South Sydney offering safe shelter.
Mum Shirl helped set up the Aboriginal Medical and Legal Service in Redfern. This was in the 1970s. She continued to visit prisoners and open her home to those in need. Her dedication never wavered.
Mum Shirl’s work was widely recognized. She received an MBE in 1975. She also received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985. In 1990, she was named Aborigine of the Year. In 1998, she was recognized as one of Australia’s living treasures.
She died on April 28, 1998. She was 73 years old. The Mrs Colleen Summers Plaque here was originally unveiled in 1999. It was rededicated in 2008. It stands as a testament to her incredible legacy. It is a reminder of her tireless work for justice.
The Mrs Colleen Summers Plaque is located at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Redfern. It marks a place of remembrance. It is a place of inspiration. It reminds us of one woman’s extraordinary compassion. Mum Shirl showed us the power of kindness. She showed us the importance of helping those in need. Her spirit continues to inspire. Let us all strive to follow her example. Let us extend kindness and compassion to everyone we meet.