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 Batchelder was born Elizabeth Helen Wilkinson and is recognised for her work among the poor of the district. Art NouveauFramed, oval photographic portraits with convex glass and print, created using a collodion wet plate process. Hand coloured detail.Mrs E.G. Batchelder / Mayoress 1928 - 1929 / Vincent Kelly / Bendigoelizabeth wilkinson, mayoress batchelder, mayor batchelder, vincent kelly photographer, city of bendigo, city of greater bendigo portraits

Established in 1880, the Eaglehawk Football Club was one of the first teams to join the Bendigo Football League and to date the senior team has won twenty eight premierships, the most of any team in the league. The Eaglehawk colours are represented by two blues, the light blue of Oxford University and dark blue of Cambridge University which is represented on this pin in the coloured enamel. This pin issued in 1925 commemorates Eaglehawk Football Club's 1924 win which was played at Kennington Oval against Rochester. Final scores were 14.17.101 to 8.9.57. The Bendigo Football League formally known as the Sandhurst Football Association was formed in 1881 and over the decades has grown to include some of the longest established teams in Australia including Castlemaine (formed 1859 - joined 1925) and Kyenton (formed1875 - joined 1947). The local municipal councils worked with the League to provide playing fields for the competition and the Upper Reserve now known as the Queen Elizabeth Oval continues to host many League games. In 1928 at the annual dinner it was noted by the Bendigo Football League that the 'grounds were not all that could be desired, but that they were getting along well with the councils'. Mayor Batchelder responded saying that the council realised that 'the League was a major tenant and was out to do its best for them'. (1) (FN The Riverine Herald, Fri 19 Oct 1928 Page 1). The City of Greater Bendigo continues to work with the various leagues to provide playing fields for competitions as well as supporting the emerging of football and netball clubs and the introduction of women's football teams which has seen great changes to traditionally male dominated football clubs. Diamond shaped commemorative medal with circular scroll. Football sits inside inner diamond shape. front; Eaglehawk Football Cub 1925 / Premiers / 1924 verso; Stokes & Sons / Melbbendigo football league, city of greater bendigo community groups, borough of eaglehawk, making a nation exhibition, city of greater bendigo sport

Photograph of the Sandhurst Town Hall, Bull Street. There are six males standing in front of the building, including Lachlan McLachlan (Bendigo Mac) and J. J. Casey (mayor). To the right of the building there are some post and rail fences and in the left background can be seen the single storied Sandhurst Hotel.Batchelderbuildings, government, sandhurst town hall, sandhurst town hall, bull street, sandhurst hotel, lachlan mclachlan, bendigo mac, j.j. casey, mayor of sandhurst