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, international level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Ewing was born Victoria Keighley in East Melbourne. Her father Edward Keighley was one on the district's earliest mine managers and part owner of the Rose of Denmark Mine. Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.Mrs W Ewing / Mayoress 1925 - 26 / Vincent Kelly / Bendigovictoria keighley, mayoress ewing, mayor ewing, vincent kelly photographer, city of bendigo, mayoress portrait, framed copy