Ada Jemima Crossley was born in Tarraville, near Yarram in Gippsland Victoria. She commenced her singing career in the historical Tarraville church and was to become so highly respected around the world that she was the only soloist invited to the two major events in 20th century Europe. The memorial concert for King Edward VII and the memorial service in the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate the band members who went down with the Titanic.