Ernest Morton Vains (1881 - 1951) was a local business man and Bendigo councillor who arrived in Bendigo in 1897 aged 16 from Kerang. In 1916 he founded the firm E M Vains and Co with his brother Sidney and they operated from Hargreaves Street in Bendigo with branches in Elmore, Mitiamo, Dingee, Knowsley, Heathcote and Prairie. E. M. Vains was a member of the City Council from 1922 - 1926 and was elected Mayor on August 29th, 1924. He played a prominent role in many of the City's community and industry groups and was a member of the Rotary Club which was founded in 1925 and a member of the Corona Lodge of Freemasons. Single page invoice from E.M. Vains and Co Auctioneers, Stock and Station Agents Bendigo. Letterhead features the unique R M Vains & Co logo with a bulls head, printed in royal blue ink.city of bendigo mayor, mayor vains, city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, mayoress vains, freemason

A. Honorary Life Governor certificate issued to Miss E. Vains, 13.6.1945 from Bendigo Benevolent Home. B. Bendigo & Northern District Base Hospital Life Governor certificate issued to Miss Elaine Vains, 21 May 1945. ( documents are photocopies of originals )person, certificate, e.m. vains

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 Vains was born Maud Anne Norris and she married Ernest Morton Vains in 1903. Ernest Vains entered council in November 1922 and was a member of the City council from 1922 - 1926. Maud Vains died in 1964 at the age of 80 and is buried with her husband in the Bendigo Cemetery.Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr, Mrs E.M. Vains/ Mayoress 1924 - 25. lr, Raymond V Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, mayoress vains, mayor vains

Hand sewn and printed blue and gold wall hanging inviting Mayor and Mayoress Giudice to the Return Ball. The text is printed on the blue central fabric panel which has a gold fringe and tassels. At the top of the fabric to enable it to hang on wall the fabric is sewn around a wooden rod with attached gold braid.The citizens of Bendigo present their compliments / to / HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR (Cr. M. G. Giudice) / AND MAYORESS, (Mrs Giudice) / and request the pleasure of their company at / THE RETURN BALL / at the / Town Hall, on Tuesday, 17th July, 1923 / E.M. Vains, Chairman J. Denton, Hon, Treasurer / Bendigo, 27th June, 1923giudice, mayoress giudice, city of bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo ceremonial item, city of bendigo mayoress, city of bendigo mayor, city of greater bendigo events