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 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. Mayoress Vains was born Maud Anne Norris and she married Ernest Morton Vains in 1903. Ernest Vains entered council in November 1922 and was a member of the City council from 1922 - 1926. Maud Vains died in 1964 at the age of 80 and is buried with her husband in the Bendigo Cemetery.

Physical description

Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.

Inscriptions & markings

lr, Mrs E.M. Vains/ Mayoress 1924 - 25. lr, Raymond V Kelly / Bendigo