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

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

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

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.

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