Historical information

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, national level. Mayoresses were also required to undertake Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable.
Mayoress Batchelder was born Elizabeth Helen Wilkinson and is recognised for her work among the poor of the district.

Physical description

Framed, oval photographic portraits with convex glass and print, created using a collodion wet plate process. Hand coloured detail.

Inscriptions & markings

Mrs E.G. Batchelder / Mayoress 1928 - 1929 / Vincent Kelly / Bendigo