Shirley Perry was born on the 22nd of November 1921, in New South Wales.  She belonged to a family of twelve children.  Unfortunately Shirley suffered epileptic fits as a child, because of this she was unable to go to school with her brothers and sisters.  Her grandfather, Budjarn took care of her and taught her aboriginal ways.  When she was nearly 17 she married Darcy Smith.  Shirley's epilepsy made it very difficult for her to have children and when she did have a daughter, she felt as though she was not able to look after her properly, so she sent her daughter to live with her husband's parents.  At this time one of Shirley's brothers called Laurie was in prison.  Shirley used to go and see him often.  She also visited other people in prison, people who needed cheering up.  When it was time for Laurie to be released, many of the other prisoners had come to look forward to her visits.  So her work with aboriginal people began.

Just about all of Shirley Smith's life has been spent helping people who need help and who need cheering up.  Sometimes Shirley would go to court to have a word with the judge for a person who has been charged with a crime.  After spending lots and lots of time with prisoners, the Department of Corrective Services gave her a gold pass to visit prisoners when ever she liked for the rest of her life.  She also helped the Child Welfare Department by finding good homes or looking after them if their parents were sick or dead.  In her life time she has raised 6,831 children.  Nearly all aborigine people found that they could not get proper legal help if they were arrested.  Most doctors surgeries would not have them in the waiting room.  Shirley Smith and others set up Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal Medical Service to help with these problems.

Because she was unable to go to school Shirley does not read or write instead she speaks 16 different aborigine languages.  In 1977 she was given the job of the British Empire.  In 1985 she became a Member of the Order of Australia.  These two awards were for her services to the aboriginal people.

Shirley is a great contributor to the aboriginal community.  

She has explained her life in these words: 

"I've had a funny life, but a perfect, beautiful life.  My eldest sister, Ethel, told me I should do what I have done and that she and the others will look after me.  My brothers and sisters have stood around me like palings in a fence.  I feel I am most loved."