Made up of about 40 women, all named Shirley, the club recently celebrated its 21st anniversary.
The club was started in 2000 by Shirley Smith and her sister-in-law, also called Shirley Smith, on March 4.
The two Shirleys were inspired by the world’s first Shirley Club, which was created in 1996 in Perth by Shirley Brown.
Smith’s sister-in-law had seen an article in the Australian Woman’s Weekly about Brown and the club, which had snowballed across Australia, with Shirley clubs popping up across the country.
She then put a notice in her local newspaper, asking any Shirleys to come round to her house for morning tea.
There was a great turnout and the Christchurch Shirley Club branch was created.
The women meet up around four times a year; on the club’s birthday, at Christmas and two times in between.
For its 21st birthday, the celebration carried on over the entire weekend. They enjoyed finger food at one Shirley’s home on Friday night. On Saturday, they enjoyed dinner at the Papanui RSA. They took a road trip to Akaroa on Sunday, stopping in Little River.
Four Shirleys from the Otago-Southland Shirley Club – Hackett and Kennedy from Invercargill, Campbell from Balclutha and McIntosh from Alexandra) also came up for the celebrations.
“It was a beautiful day on Sunday. We just enjoyed the scenery and each other’s company,” Smith said.
“There is always something to do and talk about.”
During the club’s Christmas events, Smith’s husband Gerald is their token Santa Claus, all dressed up in the red and white regalia.
Many Canterbury club members have attended Shirley conventions held in Australia.
Mini Shirley conventions are often held around New Zealand too. At one held in Christchurch, several years ago, the Shirleys took photos next to Shirley suburb signs, Shirley St signs and by Shirley Intermediate School.
Their colours are purple and aqua, with Shirleys often donning accessories and outfits in these shades for club events.
Shirley Petschick is the club coordinator. She has travelled around the world to Shirley Conventions, including to Colorado and Missouri in the United States.
“The conventions are absolutely fantastic and a must-do for anyone named Shirley,” Petschick said.
“Can you imagine a room of 200 Shirleys with all the chatter.”
For the members, it is all about the fun and the fellowship.
“It is a great way to meet people,” Smith said.
“If a Shirley comes into town, often from Australia pre-Covid, we would get a call and go and meet up for coffee.”
Their motto is ‘Fun, Food and Friendship.’
Said Smith: “We are all very good at talking and eating.”
“We share lots of laughs together,” Petschick said.
The group is mostly made of older members – the oldest current member being 92-years-old, with their youngest being in their 60s.
All club members are given a number and when a member leaves or passes away, their number is not re-used. For example, Shirley Smith is known as Shirley No 2 and another Shirley Smith is Shirley No 68.
“Our numbers are reducing unfortunately, with our members slowly passing away,” Smith said.
“Shirley is not a name in vogue anymore.”
Shirley Davey died on April 8. She had been a member from the first meeting, still serving on the club’s committee at 88 years young.
The name Shirley originates from as an Old English place-name, roughly translating to ‘bright meadow.’
It was originally known as a male name, but by 1849, it was established as a female name as well – used in Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Shirley. The Christchurch club has had one male member named Shirley. The group has even included a dog named Shirley.
New members are always welcome to join the club.
The only pre-requisite for membership is having the name Shirley.
