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 officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Oliver was born Ellen May Robinson and she married Norman J Oliver in 1928. Ellen Oliver died in 1985 aged 82.Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.lr, Mrs N. J. Oliver / Mayoress 1950 - 51 / 1964 - 65. ll, Raymond V Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, ellen may robinson, norman j oliver, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits

Correspondence between Mrs T. R. Mannix, Swan Hill Wolf Cub Pack master to District Scout Commissioner Mr J. I. Samson for an invitation to be included with the local scout groups in functions to welcome Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to Bendigo on Friday, the 5th of March 1954. The response from the Commissioner included typed plans of the event and maps of the royal tour through the streets of Bendigo starting and finishing at the train station.Set of correspondence including typed gatefold letter, typed plans for placement of visitors and role of the military and maps of CBD Bendigo and of Upper Reserve.queen elizabeth, duke of edinburgh, boy scout association, mayor clayton, city of greater bendigo royal visits, city of greater bendigo community groups, city of greater bendigo tourism

Travelling entertainment has been one popular way that charities have been able to raise revenue over the past 170 years. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind toured regional Victoria regularly to help raise awareness, showcase their talents and fundraise to provide care and education for vision impaired men, women and children. Double sided printed ticket for a concert in the Bendigo Town Hall featuring blind artists and dancers from the Royal Institute of the Blind.Obverse; Under the Patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress (Cr, and Mrs J. A. Michelson) and / Councillors of the City of Bendigo / 30 Blind Artists !! / FIRST APPEARANCE IN BENDIGO of The Famous Orchestra and / Concert Party of Blind Artsits and Blind Children Dancers from the / ROYAL VISTORIAN INSTITUTE for the BLIND, / (ST KILDA ROAD MELBOURNE) / WILL GIVE THEIR / FIRST BENDIGO ENTERTAINMENT / IN THE BENDIGO TOWN HALL, / on TUESDAY, MARCH 22nd, 1927, at 8PM / His worship the Mayor will Preside / Tickets 2/- box plan at the Premier Piano Company from March 14th. / PROCEEDS IN AID OF INSTITUTE S.W Hedger, Superintendent and Secretarymayor and mayoress michelson, vision australia, city of bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo community partnerships, city of greater bendigo events

Framed black and white head and shoulder portrait of Councillor Osbourne with hand coloured and drawn detail. Left facing profile with walrus moustache. Cut oval brown mount decorated with text ornate border. Hand written title top and lower centre.Presented to Strathfieldsaye Shire Council / W.H. Robinson / Photo / Bendigo / J.H.E Gribbs / by / Cr Fred Osborne / President 1909-10shire of strathfieldsaye, president of strathfieldsaye shire, councillor fred osborne, strathfieldsaye shire council

The district of Strathfieldsaye was proclaimed in 1861 and named a Shire on the 17th September in 1866. It remained a shire until amalgamation in 1994 when it became part of the City of Greater Bendigo. The shire was located 8 km to the south- east of Bendigo and covered an area of 601 square kilometres and extended from the Calder Highway to the Coliban and Campaspe Rivers. The shire's administration centre was in Strathfieldsaye until 1972 when new offices were opened in Kennington.Photographic group portrait of eleven Strathfieldsaye Shire Councillors in front of the Strathfieldsaye Shire Hall. Five men are seated and six standing with one man standing further in back ground on the building's verandah. Photograph is attached directly to green mount card and framed. Gold lettering on mount.Strathfieldsaye Shire Councillors / R. B. Brennan (Sec.) W. J. Lowdes S. Doak M. Burns () N Condon B. Code (Inspector) / WH Robinson Photo Bendigo / T Somerville / W. I. Long / Fred Osborne (President) H Keck / W Dresler / With the President's (Cr. Fred Osborne) Compliments / September 23rd, 1909shire of strathfieldsaye, strathfieldsaye shire council, president of strathfieldsaye shire, strathfieldsaye shire hall

Framed black and white head and shoulder portrait of Councillor Read with hand coloured and drawn detail. Head profile facing right with beard. Cut oval brown mount decorated with text and scrolls. Hand written title top and lower centre.Strathfieldsaye Shire / Council / W H Robinson / Photo / J H Gribble / Chas. My. Read. President 1886 - 7 / Presented by his sonsstrathfieldsaye shire council, president of strathfieldsaye shire, president read

Annie Mary (Mollie) Sibson was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J Sibson of Milwa Gippsland. Mollie held the position of paid nursing sister at Bendigo Hospital until her marriage in 1933 to Eugene Sandner, although Mollie did continue to hold an unpaid position on the Board of Management of the Hospital for many years afterwards. The annual ball would have been a popular event at which men and women could socialise. Mollie Sandner served as Mayoress of Bendigo from 1978 - 1979 at which time her husband served as Mayor.Printed, bi fold green card with attached green cotton used by Molly Sander to record dance partners at the Hospital Auxiliary Ball. Card is printed in green ink with scalloped edges. Inside lists twenty dances including the Fox Trot, Waltz and Schottische, against which perspective dance partners have placed there initials in pencil. Front: Hospital / Auxiliary / Ball / Town Hall, / June 30th, 1931 / Bendigomollie sibson, eugene and mollie sandner collection, bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo town hall, bendigo hospital, city of bendigo mayoress

Freemasonary or Masonry has its beginnings in local guilds of stonemasons who from the end of 13th century regulated the qualification of stonemasons. Modern Freemasonry uses scriptures which include ritual practices and ethical conduct as part of its foundation and every member must profess a belief in a Supreme Being. Women are not allowed to be admitted and discussion of religion and politics is not to take place within the lodge. Freemasons meet in local Lodges which are supervised at a regional level by a Grand Lodge. The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Entered Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. The candidate of these three degrees is progressively taught the meanings of the symbols of Freemasonry and entrusted with grips, signs, and words to signify to other members that he has been so initiated. The degrees are part allegorical morality play and part lecture. Candidates for Freemasonry will usually have met the most active members of the Lodge they are joining before being elected for initiation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry) The Golden Lodge of Sandhurst was established as the first Masonic Lodge in Bendigo in 1854. Many prominent men including City Councilors were lodge members at it was a popular way for men to socialise. As the masonic movement expanded further lodges were established in Bendigo and the surrounding Boroughs and Shires. The Golden and Corinthian Lodges purchasing two blocks of land in a prominent position in View Street in 1866 with the intention of erecting a new temple and after amalgamating in 1872 appointed architects Vahland and Getzschmann to design the building. The Bendigo Masonic Hall (now the Capital Theatre) was built in 1873 -74 for both public and private use and contained lodge rooms, a public tavern anda concert hall. The Masonic section occupied the northern side of the building at ground floor level and included a lodge room at the rear, a library and reading room, and other affiliated rooms. Walls of the entry hall and lodge room were decorated with classical columns and panels ornamented with Masonic emblems. The upper level of the building contained a large hall with balcony at the north end and removable stage at the south end. Elaborately decorated with Masonic emblems, this hall was used for Masonic purposes as well as being available to the wider community for social events. The tavern, which became known as the Masonic Hotel, occupied the basement and the ground floor of the southern side of the building and included a sitting room, parlours, billiard room, bedrooms, kitchen, cellars and servants' rooms. It appears that two public entrances were provided for this section, one directly from street level into the basement, the other from the public entry hall. Invitation for the Installation of two Lodge Brothers. Half fold design printed in gold, brown, light blue, dark blue and black ink on white card. Front and back cover decorated with masonic symbols. Menu listed inside. Front cover: Zenith & Golden Corinthian Lodges,/ No. 52 & No. 7./ Joint / Installation / of / Bros. K. J. Fullerton / and W. F Creeth / Masonic Hall / Wednesday, June 30th , 1909 bendigo masonic hall, capital theatre bendigo, milburn catering bendigo, making a nation exhibition, bendigo masonic lodge, city of greater bendigo events, city of greater bendigo community groups

John Robert Hoskins was a Councillor with the City of Bendigo from1888 - 1902 and Mayor from 1901 - 1902. Hoskins' interests in the region included the mining company Hoskins & Co, which distinguished itself on the late Derwent Reef United Company's leased ground in 1868 by achieving a yield of over an ounce to the ton. In the late 1870s John R. Hoskins formed a estate agency in partnership with Frederick Illingworth. He was also manager of the New Nil Desperandum, formed to work the shaft of the old Raywood mine, from 1906 to 1908. Event program for the Mayoral Dinner July 25, 1902. Gold, green and brown ink on cream card. Half fold with menu printed inside and Toast List on back cover. Scalloped edges.Front cover: (Picture) Bendigo Coat of Arms / Mayoral Dinner / Given by / The Mayor / (Cr .J. R. Hoskins) / July 25, 1902 / Town Hall / Bendigo bendigo town hall, making a nation exhibition, c roberts caterer, mayor j. r. hoskins, councillor j. r hoskins, mayoral ball, city of greater bendigo events, city of greater bendigo ceremonial item

J. H. Carolin was active in municipal politics from 1886 - 1913. He began his career in Kyneton and arrived in Bendigo in 1879. Councillor Carolin became Mayor for the first time from 1889 - 90 and then again in 1907 -08. John Paul Carolin married Mary Corcoran in 1861and together had 10 children. Event program for the Mayor's Ball. Gold and purple print on pink card. Half fold with menu and wine list inside. Embossed and scalloped edging. Back cover lists the 'light refreshments' served in the Council Chamber throughout the night. Front cover: Return Ball / by the / Citizens of Bendigo / TO HIS WORSHIP / The Mayor of Bendigo, / Cr Carolin and Mrs Carolin / TOWN HALL, BENDIGO / TUESDAY, JULY, 14th, 1908bendigo town hall, making a nation exhibition, councillor john paul carolin, mayor carolin, mayoress mary carolin, mary corcoran, james printer eaglehawk, r.h. reed caterer bendigo, city of greater bendigo events, city of greater bendigo ceremonial item

A publication promoting visitation and automobile touring around Bendigo and surrounding districts. Suggests seven routes and contains extensive advertising for accommodation, businesses and services within Bendigo and Castlemaine.Thirty two page tourist fold out booklet containing maps and directions for half day and day routes in the district. Booklet also contains advertising promoting Bendigo and District businesses. city of greater bendigo commerce, city of greater bendigo tourism, making a nation exhibition

Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986. Richard Hartley Smith Abbott was the step son of Joseph Henry Abbott and continued on in the family tradition of entering into business, becoming a successful business man. He also held asperations to serve on local council and was elected a representative in the Mandurang riding in the Shire of Strathfieldsaye in 1887, served as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1917 - 1918 and was Secretary of the Bendigo Art Gallery for over 20 years. Like this father he continued to build local industries with a particular interest in tanning selling products locally and exporting to London. The Tannery (in Tannery Lane, Mandurang) was one of the largest in the state. Large general correspondence book used by J H Abbott Co to issue reminders for accounts overdue and to place orders with suppliers. Book is bound with marbled front and back cover. Each page is perforated with the right side being printed with J H Abbott & Co Merchants and designed to be issued to receiver. Designed to use be used with carbon paper placed between two pages to create multiple copies of paperwork. Dated 1916 - 1917.city of greater bendigo commerce, mayor abbott, making a nation exhibition, shire of strathfieldsaye

Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986. Abbott and Co acted as agents for larger Melbourne based suppliers such as Briscoe & Co and the Australian Explosives & Chemical Co. Printed and handwritten paper invoice from Briscoe & Co to JH Abbott & Co dated Jan 31st, 1898 for the purchase of dynamite and gelynite.city of bendigo mayor, shire of strathfieldsaye, mayor abbott, city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, briscoe & co

Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986. Abbott and Co acted as agents for larger Melbourne based suppliers such as Briscoe & Co and the Australian Explosives & Chemical Co. Printed and handwritten paper invoice from Australian Explosives & Chemical Co to JH Abbott & Co dated 7th July, 1898 for the purchase of dynamite and gelignite. The invoice artwork/ letterhead and layout is especially notable due to its association with Troedel & Co, Master Printers and Lithographers and pioneers of the Melbourne printing industry.city of bendigo mayor, shire of strathfieldsaye, mayor abbott, city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, briscoe & co, australian explosives & chemical co

This type of album was created by agents auctioning and selling land.Large portfolio style album with green cloth cover bound with three large metal pins. One hundred and then pages with thirty three Department of Lands and Survey maps pasted in. Index page. Maps have handwritten notes and markings throughout in pencil and pen. Covers the Counties of Bendigo, Rodney, Talbot, Gunbower, Gladstone, Tatchera and Karkarooc, Shires of East Loddon and Huntly and Swan Hill District.

In an era when drinking beer was considered safer than drinking water, pubs were prolific and the centre of social and commercial life in Bendigo. (Bridgfoot,J. Taverns to Temperance: Pubs in Bendigo). While the Cohn Brothers and their 'tied hotels' and were one of the most successful brewers in the district, many smaller brewers also existed and the industry was a major source of employment. C.J. Glover or Charles Runting appear to have been in one of those.Oval beer bottle label. Multi coloured print featuring images of hops, a glass of ail, the Bendigo Coat of Arms and various font styles.Glover & Runting / Tonic Ale / Manufacturers / Chapel St / Bendigo / Vic Australiamaking a nation, city of bendigo commerce

Alec Craig was elected to the Barkly Ward seat on the Bendigo City Council in March 1954 after the resignation of Cr J A Michelsen. He became Mayor in 1956 and served from 1956 -57, 1963 - 64 and 1973 -74. Councillor Craig first posited the idea of Hargreaves Street becoming a shopping mall but retired from council in 1976 before the idea was executed. Alec Craig was the foundation President of the Provincial cities and Town Association of Victoria and President of the Bendigo Base Hospital in 1973. He was awarded an O.B.E. in 1973 for outstanding public service. Grace Adeline Craig was a respected teacher at Bendigo Girl's School and Bendigo High School.0383.1 Three fold voting pamphlet with photo of Councillor Craig on front cover. Inside is a printed letter to Mr and Mrs Ratepayer promoting Councillor Craig's past achievements. 0383.2 How to vote flyer for Councillor Craig. Printed on pink paper. 0383.3 Vote 1 Craig poster. Two colour print on cream paper. Edges missing.mayor craig, mayoress craig, councillor alec craig, grace adeline craig

Poem was penned by W.J Richards, born at Eaglehawk on March 14th, 1877 on the occasion of the centenary of the Eaglehawk Borough Council. Poem appears to be a fundraiser for the Band Building Fund.Poem printed on blue paper in black ink. Eight versus about the building and development of the Borough of Eaglehawk.borough of eaglehawk

Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986.chairman of sandhurst borough, anne abbott, city of greater bendigo commerce, mayor abbott

Mayor Harkness is best known for abolishing liquor from the Town Hall and replacing the Mayor's Ball with a Monster Sunday School Picnic for children which took place in Ravenswood in 1883 and was attended by 15,000 people. Abraham Harkness arrived in Victoria in 1857 aged 28. He was initially successful in his search for gold and after a return trip to England in 1862 returned to Bendigo where he opened a general store and then a foundry manufacturing mining machinery. He stood for council from in 1880 and was elected a further eight times over the next twenty years. Cr Harkness served as Mayor in 1882, 1897 and 1898. His son Andrew became Mayor in 1908-09. Abraham Harkness married Jane Elizabeth Noble in Bendigo in1864 and together they had six sons and five daughters. Abraham died in 1912 and Jane in 1927. This elegant silver service was gifted to Mrs Harkness by her husband the Mayor in remembrance of the event and then gifted back to the City.Four piece Victorian tea and coffee silver service consisting of tall coffee pot, tea pot, two handled covered sugar basin and covered cream jug. Oval, chamfered shaped base tapering at top. Bodies are decorated with foliate decoration and central finial entwined with cartouche which holds either the Bendigo Coat of Arms, or the entwined initials J E H except the large coffee pot which has engraved dedication to Mayoress Harkness instead of the Coat of Arms. Insulated handles on pots. 0432.1 Coffee pot 0432.2 Teapot 0432.3 Sugar Pot 0432.4 Cream Jug Stamped back top left of each part and inside lids - Makers Mark: Martin, Hall & Co (Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall). Hallmarks; (Lion) sterling silver, (Panther head) London Assay Office, (Women's head in left profile) duty paid, (A)1876 on coffee pot, (G) 1882 on other three pieces.mayor harkness, mayoress harness