Historical information

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of Chivalry across six divisions including civilian and military. The Order was created by King George V in 1917 to honour services to the British Empire both in Britain and other countries within the empire, including Australia.
Annie Mavis Webster was awarded the MBE in 1978 for her services to music both in Bendigo and the wider community. Miss Webster had won a number of amateur music competitions, but it was her talents as a teacher of music and singing she is best remembered. She taught at St Mary's, Girton and St Killian's during her career. Annie Mavis Webster died in 2000 at the age of 86 years. The City of Bendigo honoured her by establishing the Mavis Webster Vocal Collection at the Bendigo Library.

Physical description

Various medals that comprise the personal collection of Annie Mavis Webster's MBE.
a Jeweller's box covered in black material resembling leather with the initials 'M.B.E.' embossed on the lid in gold lettering. Inside of lid lined with cream material and royal seal and name of the jeweller who made the MBE. Bottom of box lined with plush grey material with insertion point to hold the MBE.
b Inside of the box showing the full-size MBE with smaller MBE and small round enameled badge with crown in pink background with pale blue circle around the outside.
c Closeup of the two MBE medals and the enameled badge.
d & e The MBE is mounted on a ribbon rose pink in colour and with pearl-grey edging. On the reverse of the ribbon is a gold-coloured pin for attaching the medal to clothing. Medal obverse is a cross patonce (four arms with three points on each arm) of silver gilt with arms enameled pearl-grey, surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The centre of the medal shows the effigies of King George V and Queen Mary. The centre is surrounded by a red band with gold lettering the motto "FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE". The reverse of the medal there is a rope circle with the current Royal Cypher, surmounted by an Imperial Crown.
f & g Smaller version of the MBE medal with small rose-pink ribbon with pearl-grey surround. The obverse is the same as the full-size MBE as is the reverse.
h Australian enamel lapel badge featuring St Edward's Crown on a pink circular background with light blue border. Obverse detailed gold=plated St Edward's Crown resting a pink enamel filed surrounded by light pastel ring and gold metal border. Reverse features traditional brooch-style pin with C-clasp hinge. This piece was produced by Patrick's Badges Pty. Ltd., a prominent Australian badge and insignia manufacturer formerly based in Summer Hill, Sydney. Badge widely issued throughout Australia to commemorate royal events such as Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Inscriptions & markings

a Outside of lid 'M.B.E.' inside of lid 'By appointment to Her Majesty the Queen suppliers of gold and silver laces, insignia and embroidery. Toye Kenning & Spencers Ltd, London'
d Obverse 'For God and the Empire'
g 'Patricks, Sydney, Ph. 797-0333'