Actually it is not really a club at all, the members prefer to be known as group and have wanted it that way since the Shirley group was founded back in 1997.

Young Shirley member, Shirley Close said the original Shirley Club goes back further.

“It was founded in Perth W.A. by Shirley Brown in 1996 and the West Wyalong Group was founded the year after,” said Mrs Close.

It was the members of the West Wyalong Group (which includes the towns of Wagga Wagga, Barmedman, Temora, West Wyalong, and Young) celebrating at the Commercial.

“Nationally there are about 1000 members of the Shirley Club,” said Mrs Close.

“The National Conference in Perth in 2006 was attended by 140 people and by 240 in 2007 on the Gold Coast.

“You will notice that everyone here today is getting on a little bit, the name was very popular a few years ago.

“But rest assured, anyone with the name Shirley is welcome to join,” said Mrs Close.

Young has about 14 members who regularly attend meetings of the group but Mrs Close reckons there must be more about.