Cr Shirley Halls has lived in the Playford community on and off since she was first married in 1975.

She has dedicated her life to volunteering with her husband Andrew, the pair meeting through Scouts where they were both community leaders.

“We met through Scouts, the northern area leader crew,” she said. “Many of us met our partners through Scouts and the rest is history. “In Scouts I was part of a leadership program and left when we got married. “We got back into it later on when our kids were little. “We were involved together in Scout Shout, the Carry On Guides Show, Comedy Capers and the Adelaide Gang Show.”

The couple made Playford their home raising their two daughters and now their grandchildren living nearby.

Along with her time at the Salisbury North Scouts, Cr Halls continues her passion for community work now as the President of the Rotary Club of Elizabeth and Chairperson of the Playford Christmas Pageant.

“I have been a member of Rotary since 2015 where we do a lot of community fundraising and helping others,” she said. “I have been part of the Playford Christmas Pageant since 2003 as a participant with my children, then moved onto the committee and now I am the Chairperson.”

Cr Halls is also committed to the health of wellbeing of her community, with her various nursing roles across Adelaide hospitals. She currently works in mental health for the aged community at the Lyell McEwin Hospital

Cr Halls was elected as a Councillor in 2014 after her passion and drive for the community was recognised.

She is an advocate for ensuring all areas of the city receive the same level of service.

“Making sure our older suburbs of Playford are not left behind, resident services are maintained, and they have a comfortable life which is safe for their children,” she said.

Cr Halls said the City was maturing with many opportunities for local families to thrive.

“We are growing up, we are becoming more self-sufficient, more self-reliant – we have industry, we have a strong workforce, business and retail are adapting,” she said. “Playford has everything we want. “It has the sport, it has community facilities and activities to do. “It is a very involved, friendly and welcoming community.”

During her tenure, Cr Halls highlighted the development of the Stretton Centre in Munno Para, as well as the Grenville Hub and Playford Bowling Club in Elizabeth.

Cr Halls said the City of Playford has strong community connections and this will continue well into the future.

“Playford is about connections from one side of the community to the other,” she said. “It is going to be a safe and friendly city with accessible services to everybody from all walks of life.”