Shirley Foster was born in a tent in Bega in 1934. Shirley’s mother, Agnes Harrison was from Victoria and her father was Charlie Brown from Batemans Bay. Shirley travelled along the south coast with her father who worked in the sawmill industry. Shirley came to live at Wallaga Lake Village in 1947 at the age of 13.

Shirley attended Wallaga Lake School during the late 1940s. It was previously located at the bottom of the hill. According to Shirley, the teachers had a rough time, so they needed to be tough. Shirley recalls playing around Wallaga Lake, whilst the older people fished.

Shirley continues to reside at Wallaga Lake with her partner Mervyn Penrith.

Excerpt from Stories About the Eurobodalla by Aboriginal People, 2006. Story contributed by Martin Ind from Moruya High School.