Biography

Shirly Marghritta Gill (nee Robbins) (1916 - 2001) was born on 26^th March 1916 at Devonport, Tasmania. She was the daughter of Charles Arthur Robbins and Stella Wade. She was educated at Miss Maguire’s little school in Devonport. The family moved to live with relatives in New South Wales after the untimely death of Charles Robbins, and Shirly completed her schooling including Business College, in Sydney. She was employed in Sydney for several years before taking a holiday in Launceston where on 14^th September 1939 she married Douglas Stewart Gill. They had two children.

In Launceston Shirly continued her secretarial career and became heavily involved in the administration of Scotch College, Penquite Road.as secretary and personal assistant to three successive Headmasters, Briggs, Dean and Sykes.

She was a founding member of the Ionian Club, a club for women who were not born in their residential town. The Ionian Club has spread much further than its genesis in Launceston. She attended St John's Church and was a member of the choir. She was also a member of Inner Wheel and was a Lions Lady.

Shirly Gill died on 3^rd February 2001. In her memory her family placed a brass plaque in St John’s Church. The inscription reads:
A.M.D.G.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
SHIRLY MARGHRITTA GILL
1916-2001
A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR FOR SEVERAL YEARS

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