Shirley Jeffries

Born in Crompton, Lancashire to William Jeffries, a Wesleyan minister, and his wife Mercy, née Wibmer,[1] one of three sons and three daughters.

[7] A leading athlete in his youth, and standing at 185 cm,[8] Jeffries played Australian rules football for Norwood in 1907,[9] and along with future Premier of South Australia Lionel Hill was a member of the Norwood side that defeated Victorian Football League (VFL) club Carlton to become Champions of Australia.

[15] Following the 1933 election, Jeffries was appointed Minister of Industry and Employment[16] in the Butler Government, and later gained the Attorney-General and Education portfolios.

[17] His refusal to increase the ration allowance for children earned him the opposition of unions and public organisations.

[18] In 1938, Premier Richard Layton Butler resigned from parliament to stand as a candidate at the by-election for the federal Division of Wakefield.

[20] Jeffries indicated that he would stand for the position of leader of the Liberal and Country League (LCL)[21] (and therefore the premiership of South Australia) but when the leadership was held, Playford was unanimously elected.

[35] Jeffries married Catherine Emma Padman at the Methodist Church, Kent Town, on 15 April 1914.

[1] The wedding caused discussion in Adelaide as it was conducted in secret and none of Jeffries' political colleagues were invited.