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. Peg Elliott served as Mayoress from 1971 - 72.Black and White photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; Martin Washingtonstudio photography, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, elliott collection, mayor d elliott, mayoress p elliot, lansell pendant

The Mayoral Ball is long held tradition, usually held in the first few months of a new mayors election with proceeds going to a local charity. The 1972 Mayoral Charity Dinner Ball was held at the Bendigo City Town Hall with funds donated to St Luke's Toddlers' Home in White Hills. Catering was provided by the Copper Pot Restaurant, 2 Howard Place, Bendigo and the Frank Charles Orchestra provided the music. 4 minute 24 second black and white 16 mm film in original film can, labelled. 0340a; Label (no longer affixed to can) 0340b Film Can 0340c; Film Reel 0340d; 16mm filmLabel; A / BCV - TV / PRODUCTION / Subject The Mayoral Ball - 1972 / Duration 4 min 24 sec / Bendigo & Central Victoria Telecasters Ltd / Lily Street, Bendigo, 3550 / Phone (ill)3-0584Film Can Lid; EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Film Reel; tuscan / HUNDRED FEET / Made in Australia by / Australian Reel Co. / Pty Ltd city of bendigo mayor, city of bendigo town hall, city of bendigo events, mayoral ball, mayor elliott, mayoress elliott, elliott collection

Mayoral Ball 1955. Debutantes and their partners assembled at the stage of Box Hill Town Hall with the Mayor, Cr L.R. McCredden and Mayoress. The stage is decorated with a pergola and floral decorations.B&w photomayors, mayoral balls, debutantes, box hill town hall, 1955, clothing and dress, box hill, mayoral robes, dances and balls, festive decorations, mccredden> leslie raymond (cr.), alexander> beverley, bain> lesley, bourke> edna, coutts> anne, elliott> merle, fankhauser> lois, grant> judith, halligan> judith, hands> beverley, johnston> gillian, mccredden> barbara, nelson> christine, standerwick> margaret, waren> wilma

Debutantes of 1955 posing on the steps leading from the stage, with the Mayoress, Mrs McCredden. The girls are carrying parasols. The Reporter newspaper dated 27 May, 1955 reported that the Lady Mayoress, Mrs. McCredden wore an orchid-pink slipper satin gown and carried a matching bouquet. The debutantes were individually styled gowns and were named: Barbara McCredden (daughter of the Mayor and Mayoress), Beverley Alexander, Edna Bourke, Judith Halligan, Margaret Standerwick, Christina Nelson, Lesley Bain, Anne Coutts, Lois Frankhauser, Merle Elliott, Gillian Johnston, Beverley Hands, Judith Grant and Wilma Warren.B&w photodebutantes, 1955, mayoresses, clothing and dress, box hill town hall, mayoral balls, mccredden> mrs., bourke> edna, halligan> judith, standerwick> margaret, nelson> christina, bain> lesley, coutts> anne, frankhauser> lois, elliott> merle, johnston> gillian, hands> beverley, grant> judith, warren> wilma, mccredden> barbara