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.

  1. Image: woman standing, holding a book

    Bonython, Lady Constance

    Lady Constance Jean Bonython was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide in 1913 and the Lady Mayoress from 1927-1930.

    Historical Person | By Perry Snodgrass, HerStory Project | 1830s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, early twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  2. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Simpson, Mrs. Janet

    Janet Simpson was Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1913-1915.

    Historical Person | By Lee Clark, HerStory Project | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

  3. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Isaacs , Mrs. Zelinda

    Zelinda Rosetta Isaacs was the Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1915-197. 

    Historical Person | By Lee Clark, HerStory Project | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, First World War

  4. Image: woman in white dress and hat standing among three men in tophats and tails

    Glover, Mrs. Elizabeth

    Mrs Elizabeth Glover was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1917-1919, 1923-1925, and again in 1930-1933.

    Historical Person | By Linda Hooper, HerStory Project

  5. Image: woman wearing fur lined hood

    Moulden, Lady Deborah

    Lady Deborah Moulden was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1919-1921. 

    Historical Person | By Patricia Sumerling, HerStory Project | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

  6. Image: woman wearing fur lined hood

    Moulden , Lady Deborah

    Lady Deborah Vernon Moulden was Lady Mayoress (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1919-1921. 

    Historical Person | By Kristen Thomas, HerStory Project | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

  7. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Cain, Mrs. Ada

    Ada Cain was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1933-1935

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

  8. Image: head and shoulders image of woman

    Barrett, Mrs. Jean

    Jean Beatrice Barrett was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Mayor) between 1937 and 1941

    Historical Person | By Lee Clark, HerStory Project | 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, Second World War

  9. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Hawker, Mrs. Irene

    Irene Hawker was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1941 and 1943.

    Historical Person | By Jann Bennett, HerStory Project | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s

  10. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Walker , Mrs. Freida

    Mrs Freida Walker was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1943 and 1946, and a tireless civic worker. 

    Historical Person | By Lee Clark, HerStory Project

  11. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    McLeay , Lady Eileen

    Lady Eileen McLeay was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1946 and 1950. 

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

  12. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Lady Margaret Rymill

    Lady Margaret Rymill was Lady Mayoress, Married to the Lord Mayor, from 1950-1953. 

    Historical Person | By Lincoln Schulz, HerStory Project | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010

  13. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Philps, Mrs. Mahalia

    Mrs Mahalia Philps Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1954-1957.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

  14. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Hargrave, Mrs. Ursula

    Mrs Ursula Hargrave was Lady Mayoress (married to the Lord Mayor) from 1957-1960.

    Historical Person | By Mia Bell, HerStory Project | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

  15. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Irwin, Mrs. Kathleen

    Mrs Kathleen Agnes Irwin was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1963-1966. 

    Historical Person | By Giselle Robin, HerStory Project | 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

  16. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Bridgland, Mrs. Elizabeth

    Mrs Elizabeth Bridgland was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1966 and1968.

    Historical Person | By Margot Bailey, HerStoryProject | 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

  17. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Porter, Lady June

    Lady June Porter was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1968-1971. 

    Historical Person | By Jessica Martin, HerStory Project | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  18. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Hayes, Mrs. Mabel

    Mabel Lorna Hayes was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1971-1973.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  19. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Clampett , Mrs. Juliet

    Juliet Clampett was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1973-1975.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, Second World War

  20. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Roche, Mrs. Valmai

    Mrs Valmai Roche was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) between 1975-1977.

    Historical Person | By Deborah Hamilton, HerStory Project | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  21. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Boucaut, Mrs. Freda

    Mrs Rosemary Boucaut was Acting Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (appointed by the Mayor) from 1983-1985.

    Historical Person | By Steven Page, HerStory Project | 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  22. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Jarvis , Mrs. Levaun

    Levaun Mary Jarvis was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide from 1985-1987. 

    Historical Person | By Margaret Roberts, HerStory Project

  23. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Condous, Mrs. Angela

    Angela Condous was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide between 1987-1993.

    Historical Person | By Belinda Peterson, HerStory Project | 1980s, 1990s

  24. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Ninio, Mrs. Lynette

    Mrs Lynette Ninio was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide  from 1993-1997.

    Historical Person | By Margaret Roberts, HerStory Project | 1990s

  25. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Lord Mayor's Charitable Committee

    The Lord Mayor's Charitable Committee ran from 2000-2003, fulfilling the public role normally taken up by a Lady Mayoress. 

    Historical Organisation | By Karin Dunsford, HerStory Project | 2000-2010

  26. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Harbison, Mrs. Kathy

    Mrs Kathy Harbison was the Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) from 2003-2010.

    Historical Person | By Dennis Coleman, HerStory Project | 2000-2010

  27. Image: silhouette of a woman's head with white question mark on top

    Yarwood, Mrs. Emily

    Mrs Emily Yarwood was Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (married to the Lord Mayor) from 2010-2014.

    Historical Person | By Emily Yarwood, HerStory Project | 2010s

  28. Image: woman gazing into distance surrounded by embroidered floral feature

    Theseira-Haese , Ms. Genevieve

    Genevieve Theseira-Haese is the former Lady Mayoress of the City of Adelaide (2014-2018). She is the instigator of the HerStory project recording the history of past Lady Mayoresses. 

    Historical Person | By Serafina Tané, HerStory Project

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