The HerStory project came about to recognise and celebrate the lives and the achievements of women’s work in South Australia. The project looks at the contribution of Mayoresses and Lady Mayoresses in the City of Adelaide.

The project was initiated in 2015 on the 175th anniversary of the City of Adelaide, by Genevieve Theseira-Haese, Lady Mayoress of Adelaide, and is supported by both the City of Adelaide and the History Trust of South Australia.

When the project was first proposed it quickly became apparent that not much was known of these women or their many contributions to the City of Adelaide but as we delved into old newspapers and dusty books, remarkable stories began to emerge. You can learn more about them here. 

You can download our template if you have a story to contribute to the project about a former Mayoress or Lady Mayoress here.

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    HerStory Project History

    Lady Mayoress Genevieve Theseira-Haese believes in ensuring that the stories of past generations are shared and captured to help learn from and continue to build Adelaide’s HerStory.

    Historical Subject | By City of Adelaide Lady Mayoress with community volunteers

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    The Lady Mayoress' Chain

    Collection Item | 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

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    Fisher, Mrs. Elizabeth

    Mrs Elizabeth Fisher was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1840-1842, and again from 1852-1854.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1790s, 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s

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    Wilson, Mrs. Martha

    Mrs Martha Wilson was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1842-1843.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s

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    Hall, Mrs. Jane

    Jane Hall was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1854-1855.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s

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    Lazarus, Mrs. Julia

    Julia Lazarus was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1855-1858.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

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    Sabben, Mrs. Marianne

    Marianne Sabben was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1858-1859.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

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    Wright, Mrs. Agnes

    Agnes Wright was Mayoress in 1859.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

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    Glandfield, Mrs. Elizabeth

    Elizabeth Glandfield was the Mayoress of Adelaide from 1859-1862.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

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    English, Mrs. Sarah

    Mrs Sarah English was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1862-1863.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

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    Goode, Mrs. Frances

    Frances Goode was the Mayoress of Adelaide from 1863 to 1864.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

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    Townsend, Mrs. Jane

    Jane Townsend was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1864-1866.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

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    Fuller, Mrs. Amelia

    Amelia Fuller is remembered for her charity work, particularly her long period of time with the Young Womens Christian Association. 

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

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    Solomon, Mrs. Adela

    Adela Solomon was the Mayoress of Adelaide between 1869-1871.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s

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    Bartels , Mrs. Anna

    Anna Bartels was a busy mother, hotel licensee, and Mayoress of the City of Adelaide.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

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    Allott, Mrs. Sarah

    Sarah Allott was the Mayoress of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) between 1873-1874.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s

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    Colton, Lady Mary

    Lady Mary Colton was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1874-1875. 

    Historical Person | By Janet Whitham, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

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    Peacock, Mrs. Jane

    Jane Peacock was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (sister-in-law to the Mayor) from 1875-1877. 

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

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    Scott, Mrs. Emily

    Benefactress, Emily Scott was Mayoress of Adelaide between 1877 and 1878.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

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    Buik, Mrs. Jane

    Jane Buik was the Mayoress of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) between 1878-1879.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

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    Smith, Lady Elizabeth

    Lady Elizabeth Smith was twice the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor), from 1879-1882 and 1886-1888.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

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    Bundey, Mrs. Elizabeth

    Elizabeth Bundey was Mayoress of Adelaide between 1883-1886.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s

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    Shaw, Mrs. Margaret

    Margaret Shaw was Mayoress of Adelaide between 1888 and 1889.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

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    Cohen, Mrs. Selina

    Selina Cohen was an experienced Mayoress known for her style. 

    Historical Person | By Margot Bailey, HerStoryProject | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

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    Bullock, Mrs. Harriet

    Harriet Bullock was Mayoress from 1891-1892. She was instrumental in bringing women to the Lord Mayor's picnic. 

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910

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    Willcox, Mrs. Jeanie

    Jeanie Willcox was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1892-1894.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

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    Brown, Mrs. Ellen

    Ellen Jane Brown was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (sister of the Mayor) from 1894-1898.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1890s

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    Ware, Mrs. Rosa

    Rosa Ware was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1898-1901.

    Historical Person | By Cheryl Williss, HerStory Project | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s

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    Bruce, Mrs. Mary

    Mary Bruce was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) from 1904-1907.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

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    Mayfield, Mrs. Mary

    Mary Mayfield was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (sister of the Mayor) from 1907-1909.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s

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