In 1927, the Duke and Duchess of York (1895-1952), later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (1900-2002), the Queen Mother, embarked on a Royal Tour of Australia and New Zealand. A key purpose of the tour was to open the provisional Parliament House in Canberra, but it also served as a gesture of gratitude for Australia's contributions during World War 1. Although not originally scheduled to visit locations outside of Melbourne, the Duke and Duchess made time in their itinerary to visit Bendigo during their trip to Australia in 1927. They arrived on April 28th via train where an enthusiastic crowd of over 5000 people watched as the Royal Couple were driven from the station to the Upper Reserve. (Queen Elizabeth Oval) A special arch “THE GATE TO THE GOLDEN NORTH “was erected to welcome the Royal Couple. Brown card mount with four cut windows to house black and white photographic portraits. Only three of the four photographs in place with top photograph missing. Handwritten text under each window and lower centre of mount. Frame missing.The Town Clerk / Mr H.C. Ingleton The Mayor / Cr J. A. Michelsen The Mayoress / Mrs J. A. Michelsen To Commemorate The Visit of / Their Royal Highnesses , The . Duke and Duchesss of York / To Bendigo. April 28th 1927 / Presented by the Mayor 1926 - 1927city of greater bendigo royal visits, city of bendigo mayoress, city of bendigo mayor, mayoress michelsen, mayor michelsen

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. Annie Irene Michelsen (nee Tussup) born Huntly (1870-1955). Mayoress 1926/1927, 1935/1936, 1942/1943. Wife of Cr John Andrew Michelsen OBE. Pioneer in the field of social work and regarded as a woman of tremendous vitality and versatility. Known as an outstanding horse woman and breeder of standardbreds for harness racing. Member numerous sporting clubs and foundation president of the Bendigo Nurses Association. Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail. Mrs. Michelsen wore a gown of black crepe eros, cut to mould the figure and fall into a train at the back. A cascade eflect of gold lame from one shoulder to the hem in front gave graceful movement to the front of the gown, and wing draperies lined with gold lame were shirred to the shoulders of the square neckline. She wore a shoulder spray of golden orchids and carried a bouquet of old gold roses and golden leaves (1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wed 3 Jun 1936 annie tussup, mayoress michelsen, mayor michelsen, vincent kelly photographer, city of bendigo, city of greater bendigo portraits

The first Bendigo Easter Fair was held on 10th and 11th April, 1871 and remains one of Australia’s longest running annual community events taking place over the Easter long weekend. Its purpose was to raise funds in aid of two local charities; The Bendigo Hospital, and The Bendigo Benevolent Asylum. The fair features events throughout the City with celebrations culminating in a parade on Easter Sunday. The parade features a variety of commercial and community groups including a large processional dragon which has been an integral part of the annual parade since 1892. The three principal golden dragons featured over the past 130 years are Loong (1892–1970), Sun Loong (1970–2019) and Dai Gum Loong (2019–present) which are housed at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo. The Bendigo Easter Fair Society is custodian of the Bendigo Easter Fair and continues to support the City of Greater Bendigo’s largest festival. Each year the City produces a poster to advertise the upcoming fair and this one from 1943 reflects the war time sentiment which existed by featuring service men and women as well as the Chinese dragon. Commercially printed colour poster advertising the Bendigo Easter Fair featuring a woman riding a chinese dragon on the left hand side of print with two smaller images, one of service man in uniform bottom left and woman factory worker top right. The title appears in red lettering at top with details of the events appearing in the centre and lower sections on the right.Bendigo Easter Fair / 1943 / Carries On / and again invites all to keep smiling in the Nation's testing time, as all unite to aid its Charities. / Easter Saturday / April 24th / Monster Spectacular Street Carnival / and Popular Girl Contest / Easter Sunday / April 25th / Attend the specially patriotic Band gathering / in the upper reserve / See the unique oriental awakening / of the dragon at the Chinese Quarters / Patriotism, Pageantry, Music, and / Special Features throughout the Fair city of greater bendigo easter fair, mayor michelsen, bendigo chinese dragon, city of greater bendigo tourism, making a nation exhibition, city of greater bendigo events

Black and white photo: 3809.1 image shows two women, dressed in hats, coats, one carrying flowers. Crowd behind, standing in front of Memorial Hall, Pall Mall, Bendigo. Written on rear of photo in blue ink : 'Ann Michelsen Mayoress, when Duke and Duchess York visited, Bgo' Photo taken in 1920's. 3809.2 image shows two women standing in front of shed. Women are wearing mid-calf length skirts and tops. Taken in 1920.s.person, group, ann michelsen, michelsen, mayor, mayoress, bendigo, war memorial

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records. Michele used this article as part of her research: Annie Irene Michelsen, a prominent Bendigo community figure. Annie Irene Michelsen (1870–1955) was born in White Hills, Bendigo, to Spero Tussup (from Dalmatia) and Mary Tracy (from Ireland). She became a nurse at Bendigo Hospital and later helped establish the Bendigo Nursing Auxiliary. In 1894, she married John Andrew Michelsen, a former Bendigo mayor after whom the Michelsen Medal (awarded annually in the Bendigo Football League) is named. Annie and John had three children, including Cyril Michelsen, who became Chief of Staff and later Editor of The Bendigo Advertiser. She was deeply involved in community service and social welfare, working with: The Baby Health Centre The Red Cross (which awarded her a long-service medallion) Church and sporting organizations, including rowing, croquet, and lawn bowls clubs. As mayoress, she was known for her kindness, energy, and dedication to the welfare and progress of Bendigo. In 1927, she and her husband helped host the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) during their visit to Bendigo. Over more than three decades as the wife of a councillor and during three terms as mayoress, she contributed extensively to civic life in Bendigo. Annie died on 7 June 1955, aged 85, at her home, Stoneleigh, in Lucan Street, Bendigo. The article portrays Annie Michelsen as a pioneering community worker and respected civic figure whose contributions to Bendigo's social, charitable, and public life left a lasting legacy. Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Newspaper Article History Lives, by Jim Evans - Annie was a true pioneer, newspaper article date unknown This item includes the following documents: 8672.27a Black and white photo in 1920 by the Bartlett Brothers of John Michelsen, Rene and Beryl (front), with Cyril and Annie Michelsen 8672.27b Annie Michelsen (right) with an unknown fried - Black and White Photo 8672.28c The Duchess of York black and white photo in 1927 8672.28d Black and white photo of the Former Bendigo Mayor, John Michelsen in his robes 8672.28e PDF File of the articlebendigo, michele matthews collection, annie irene michelsen, john andrew michelsen

Dinner menu bi-fold: cream colour, gold and red text. On front : 'City of Bendigo, Official Dinner in honor of the visit of His Excellency Lord Stonehaven, Governor General of Australia. Tendered by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor J.A. Michelsen on Thursday November 25th 1926 at 7.30 p.m. H.C. Ingleton, Town Clerk.' Inside: List of menu items and toast list. Favaloro's Caterers.Cambridge Press Printbendigo, council, dinner lord stonehaven

Advance Bendigo and the North League, Allan's Walk, Pall Mall, Bendigo. Letterhead printed in dark blue and grey. At the top are sun rays above a cloud? On the right it has a map showing Bendigo and a large area to the North, North East and North West. On the left is an oval shape with the names of the Patron, His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo Cr. W. H. Taylor, President: Cr. G. D. Garvin, J.P., Vice-President W. Cowling, Esq, Executive Committee, Cr. J. Michelsen, J. L. Shoosmith, Cr. W. H. Taylor, J. Jeffrey, Dr. A. Beischer, C. L. Stilwell,A. L. Bolton O.B.E., W. Wallace, Lt. Col. G. V. Lansell, M.L.C.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, advance bendigo and the north league, cr w h taylor, cr g d garvin j.p., w cowling, c m dawe, cr j michelsen, j l shoosmith, cr w h taylor, j jeffrey, dr a beischer, c l stillwell, a l bolton o.b.e., w wallace, lt col g v lansell m.l.c.

John Andrew Michelsen - information in The Victorian Centenary Book (1934-35). Text of approx one page (CV) of John Andrew Michelsen, JP, with photograph in mayoral robes.person, individual, john andrew michelsen

Bendigo Town Hall, built in 1859 and extended over three phases resulting in the present Mannerist style building of stone construction. The original 1859 design by George Avery Fletcher was a simple two storey building in the Italianate style, which served as the foundation for future remodelling and extensions by Bendigo architect William C. Vahland in 1866. The Town Hall contains fine decorative interiors in the main hall and council chamber along with objects and original council chamber furniture which are integral to its significance and heritage values. This photograph taken in 1953 shows the original council chamber in use.Gold framed photograph with mount taken in 1953 showing the old council chambers at the Bendigo Town Hall with City of Bendigo officials. Includes Councilor's, the Mayor, Town Clerk and others. Cr's from left to right are Cr Dungey, Cr Pethard, Cr Granger, Cr Clayton, Cr Floor in mayoral robes, Town Cleark Mr Amer, Cr Michelsen, Cr Pouston, Cr Oliver, Cr Shadforth. Five unknown men seated and standing.Nonecity of bendigo, mayor flood, councillor flood, councillor clayton, councillor granger, councillor pethard, councillor michelsen, councillor oliver, bendigo town hall

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