Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could be active in civic life. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and at times, national level. Mayoresses were also required to undertake Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Staples was born Harriet Jane Whitford in 1892 and died in 1959. Married to Cr alber Staples, the couple reinstituted the annual Mayoral Ball after an absence of many years. Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.vincent kelly, studio photography, staples, harriet jane whitford, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors from the 1960’s onwards the Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could be active in civic life. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and at times, international level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when the Mayor was unavailable. Laura Jane Truscott (nee Baxter) born New South Wales (1880-1967).Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail. Flat glass and print. ll; Vincent Kelly / Bendigo. lr; Mrs A Truscott / Mayoress 1945 - 46studio photography, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits