1925- Born January 12 Shirley Thoms in Toowoomba Queensland.

1930- Family moves to a cane farm near Bundaberg.

1940- At the age of 15 she is a devotee of country music, listening to the radio and starts to learn songs of Buddy Williams, Tex Morton etc.

1940- Appears for the first time on an amateur series for 4BU in Bundaberg singing "Mocking Bird Yodel" and wins the finals.

1941- May 25th records with Regal Zonophone. Shirley becomes the first Australian girl to record solo and first Queenslander to be featured on disc. Records 12 songs, 6 of her own. Joins George Sorlies famous road show.

1942- Records a further 8 songs.

1944-1946- Records six songs each year. Toured with an Army Entertainment Unit giving concerts 7 nights a week.

1950- Maries John Sole of the "Sole Circus Family".

1952- Rodeo signs Shirley for 6 sides. Shirley retires from music for 14 years.

1958- Husband John dies after a severe illness.

1960's- Marries a veterinarian, but later divorced. Marries a prominent figure who worked in the Australian Aircraft industry.

1970- 2TM brings Shirley to Tamworth for the 200th anniversary concert, which leads to a contract with Hadley Records.

1980- Elevated to the Roll of Renown and inducted into the Hands of Fame.

1985- Records one track tributed to Buddy Williams through RCA and the Nicholl "N" Dimes label.

1990- Passed away on July 1st at the age of 74 from complications with Parkinson's Disease.

A wax sculpture of Shirley is in the Big Golden Guitar Wax Museum.