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. Mayoress Anderson was born Mary Gittins at Sandhurst in 1872 and was the daughter of William Bromley Gittins and Susan Horwood. She was Mayoress from 1941 - 42.Framed, oval photographic studio portrait of Mrs A.J Anderson. Hand coloured detail.Mrs. A.J. Anderson / Mayoress 1941 - 42 / Vincent Kelly / Bendigomary gittins, mayor a.j. anderson, vincent kelly photographer, mayoress mary anderson, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo