Physical description

A photocopy of newspaper publication of obituary for Annie Mavis Webster, MBE 21/5/1914 - 8/4/2000 An exceptional singer who contributed greatly to local Bendigo and Australia as well as abroad Bendigo born and raised by Edwin and Annie Webster, Education was at Camp Hill. A life long participation in and commitment to local music and Competition Society provided opportunities for performance. The ultimate prize for amateur singers at the time was the Sun News Pictorial Aria Competition, which Mavis attained as runner up in 1938 and as winner in 1939. Outbreak of WWII curtailed early opportunities for overseas travel but there was much call for her as recitalist, artist and teacher such as at The Sisters of Mercy at St Mary's Convent, Bendigo where she taught singing. Mavis gained impressive reputation and experience in numerous roles including as chorister (and founder of the all female choir and the Benola singers which she also named, after her home), and later (1960) included male voices; she was also conductor; musical director; and adjudicator at Eisteddfords. She laso taught at Girton, St Killian's. During the 1950s Mavis went on a very successful 9 month overseas trip on which she was inspired in many respects including the formation of the choirs. In 1978 Mavis was made a Member of the British Empire for her services to music.City of Greater Bendigo acknowledged Mavis contribution and skills by establishing the Mavis Webster Vocal Collection at the City library.