Local Hero - Shirley Crocker

Fifty years ago, when the Crocker family first set foot in Empire Bay, the village was a network of dirt roads and charming holiday cottages, nestled amid the coastal landscape. Shirley and John Crocker, with their three children in tow, embraced the simplicity and promise of this small community. Like most young families, Shirley and John focused on raising the young family and work. Over time, Shirley became a beacon of goodwill, tirelessly contributing to the growth and cohesion of Empire Bay through her work with the Progress Association. The legacy of her contribution remains woven into the very fabric of this now-thriving community, which continues to be grateful for Shirleys' hard work in the community and neighbourly spirit.

Shirley, born in Wyong, is one of 12 siblings, and is the only one surviving.

Married John Crocker in 1959 and settled in Ettalong where John worked at his father’s hardware shop (Ettalong Hardware). Living at Ettalong, Shirley and John raised their three children, Dave, Brian & Barbara.

In 1976, Shirley and John moved into Empire Bay settling into Hillcrest Road where they lived for 12 years before building their “forever home” along Rickard Road.  

Shirley Crocker, the “Lady  Mayoress” of Empire Bay.

Over the years Shirley has worked in a variety of jobs including, seamstress and clothing repairs, a cook (Ocean Beach Hotel), hardware and oyster shucker.

Sadly, John passed away in 1986, and Shirley soon realised the many needs in the community and quickly became involved in the Empire Bay Progress Association.

Shirley is a “hands on fixer” and her drive and strong community spirit ensured she was soon actively involved with the community.

There are so many stories of the projects Shirley initiated, or was heavily involved in. Shirley’s fingerprints were all over the huge Progress Hall extensions, the waterfront activities in the 1990’s including the Mardi Gras, Cockle Creek Canoe Regatta, Carols by Candlelight, fashion parades, Empire Bay Christmas Eve celebrations, fetes and endless fundraising functions.

The attempt to raise “community belonging” and fundraising had Shirley heavily involved with organising the waterfront Mardi Gras in the late 1980’s. They were huge “village fair” events with free bus services, food stalls, entertainment, canoe races using homemade boats running along the grassy waterfront. Shirley recalls” they held a few of these events on the waterfront, but sadly they later learnt from council that insurances, portable toilets and other regulations were needed, which placed the event beyond the Progress Associations ability”. Shirley says, with exasperation, “it was not worth the effort”.

The 1988 poster advertising the Empire Bay waterfront Mardi Gras

In late 1996 Shirley realised a community newsletter would be a good way of spreading the local news as well as raising funds (advertisers). So, in January 1997, in typical Shirley fashion, with no knowledge of editing and publishing, the sleeves were rolled up, businesses approached and the first edition of the Empire Bay Newsletter was published. Shirley’s editorial, page one, “We welcome you to the first edition of the Empire Bay & District News. It is hoped to be a long-lived newsletter service.”

There is insufficient space here to list the many wonderful memories and community events that Shirley has been involved with. The revitalising of the Anzac Day services which almost disappeared until Shirley arrived, the rescuing of the Empire Bay Fishing Club before it almost went under, are just a few. Thank you, Shirley.

Shirley, with her eager involvement in so many community activities over 50 years, is known as the “Lady Mayoress” of Empire Bay.

In 2008, after more than 20 years of dedication to Empire Bay Progress Association, including 10 to 12 years as President, Shirley retired and handed the role to Jan Consoli.

Many locals will have wonderous stories to tell about Shirley. She is one of the kindest, hardest-working, most community-minded people one could ever know.

Shirley, your legacy will forever live in the streets, the parks, the faces and the hearts of your forever grateful community of Empire Bay.

Thank you.

By Robert Thompson