Prior to the election of female Councillor's and Mayors, the Mayoress role as wife of the Mayor, was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoress's played an important role in civic life through charity work, even stepping in on occasions to undertake Mayoral duties. Mayoress Pethard was born Hilda Robina Leed in Eaglehawk in 1889 and died in 1966. Mrs Pethard travelled extensively with her husband throughout their time in Office. Framed, convex, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail. vincent kelly, studio photography, hilda leed, tarax, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo, city of bendigo mayoress

Eleanor Florence Chisholm was a foundation member of Bendigo Bay Health Centre and secretary for 15 year. She died in 1942 aged 57. Timber sign. Hand painted wooden texture on background with gold text. The sign is for an infant welfare centre and is dedicated to Mrs Eleanor Chisholm. The centre was opened on the 5th January 1948 by Mayor and Mayoress Pethard.city of bendigo infant welfare, eleanor chisholm, mayor pethard, mayoress pethard

A plastic bag containing ephemeral items. (I) A Christmas card dated Christmas 1918 New Year 1919. Printed for Wor.Bro. G.A. Pethard W.M., Golden and Corinthian Lodge, No. 7, Bendigo. It has a photo of the Masonic Temple Bendigo in the centre of the card. (II) 2 copies of the Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division newspaper depot tags.(III) An assortment of cards and ephemeral pieces of paper. (IV) A thankyou gift card to the Mayoress (Mrs. Geo. Pethard) from the Debutantes set of 1952 thanking her for her support and wishing her the best in the years ahead. (V) A 'Well done, Boys!' welcome home tag. (VI) Golden Square Methodist Church invitation to a social evening on 17th. August, 1951 in aid of the Carpet Fund. It is in the form of a rhyme and a small hand made money bag. (VII) A Melbourne Cricket Club lady's ticket dated 1961-62 (VIII) A printed 1911 Xmas card from Mrs Mulgrove and Frank, 'Charlton,' Church Street, Woking. (IX) 8 tickets for various welcome home socials to the Golden Square returned soldiers 1918.lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, christmas, golden and corinthian lodge bendigo, masonic temple bendigo, 1952 mayoral debutantes set, golden square methodist church, melbourne cricket club, world war 1, golden square returned soldiers, australian comforts fund.

A folder containing newspaper cuttings of the visit in 1952 by The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochester in the U.K. to Bendigo and Rochester. Sources are 'The Sun,' 'The Bendigo Advertiser' and 'Melbourne.' Also included is a black and white photo (see accompanying news clipping) of The Mayor of Bendigo (Cr. G.A. Pethard) and the Mayor of Rochester - both wearing Mayoral Robes. (U.K.) On the back is written Visit of mayor and mayoress of Rochester England to 'Rob Roy ' home of Mr. & Mrs. McGlyn Rochester Vic Australia. The photo shows them holding a certificate with the words' City of Rochester' at the top' Another photo dated 9.8.1952 appears to show both Mayoresses -one is examining the other's Mayoral chainVisit to Bendigo Mayor and Mayoress of Rochester (U.K.).bendigo, tourism, lydia chancellor, rochester (victoria), rochester (u.k.), cr. g.a. pethard

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2001. Stunning: the beauties at the Mayoral Ball held in the Bendigo Town Hall in 1952. Mrs Pethard acted as mayoress, while the girls' chaperone was Mrs Amor. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were