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 O'Brien was born Annie Webb at Dunolly in 1893 and died in 1938 aged 68. Mayoress O'Brien was interested in child welfare and gave devoted service to the baby health centre (1). (1. Jackman, Mayors of Bendigo)Framed, oval photographic portraits with convex glass and print, created using a collodion wet plate process. Hand coloured detail.ll, Mrs M.E. O'Brien / Mayoress 1929 - 30 lr; Vincent Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, o'brien, annie webb, city of bendigo maternal health, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits