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Guest Character Profiles > Shirley Burchmore Suzy Cato-Gashler

With the opening of retirement complex Eirini Rising imminent, owner Terese Willis was trying to attract buyers for the final few studio apartments. Having been trying to get wealthy widow Shirley Burchmore to come for a tour, Terese was delighted when she finally agreed, cancelling plans with husband Toadie to go and show Shirley and her friends around the building. Terese also managed to convince operations manager Susan Kennedy to come in on her day off, but Shirley was mainly interested in meeting Susan's husband, Karl, who had been employed as Eirini Rising's in-house doctor and wellness expert. As Karl was working his final shift at the hospital, Susan was forced to try and answer Shirley's medical questions, but Shirley was left unimpressed. Fortunately, Toadie was on hand to save the situation when he introduced himself to Shirley, telling her how well-respected her late husband, a KC, had been, then offering his own legal services, free of charge, to Shirley and her friends if they bought an apartment before the complex's official opening the following week. Terese was relieved when Toadie's actions seemed to impress Shirley, who went away happy and indicated that he might be interested in signing up.

As Shirley and her friends attended Eirini Rising's grand opening the following week, she was shocked when she overheard Karl confronting her grandson, Jacob, having uncovered evidence that he was the local resident who'd been pooping in public. Karl had been accused of being the pooper and was determined to clear his name, but Shirley defended her grandson, determined that the truth wouldn't get out and ruin his, and her, reputation. She warned that, if Karl went public with what he knew, then she wouldn't be buying one of the apartments at Eirini Rising and nor would any of her friends. As a further sweetener, Shirley sent Karl an expensive bike, unaware that he'd already decided not to say anything. When Karl then confirmed to Shirley that he'd be keeping quiet, she and her friends agreed to buy the final few apartments at Eirini Rising.

As Shirley and Jacob were then sitting together having coffee at Eirini Rising the following week, confident that they managed to avoid any trouble for him and his career, he was in for a shock when the police arrived to take him in for questioning. Shirley turned on Karl, convinced that he'd reported her grandson, but he denied it. He later found out that, after he'd mentioned the story to neighbour Mackenzie, she'd told another lawyer friend, who'd been about to face Jacob in court. As they quickly realised who must have reported Jacob to the police, Karl went to Shirley and explained, though he refused to mention Mackenzie's name, leaving Shirley unsure if he was telling the truth. When Jacob then returned and reported that he'd been charged with public indecency, Shirley announced that she was taking back the bike.

Trivia Notes
• Suzy Cato-Gashler (as Suzy Cato) previously appeared in Neighbours in 2000 as Merridy Jackson

Episodes Featured
9044, 9049, 9054

Biography by Steve

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