BALLARAT'S first lady mayor, Jessie Scott MBE, passed away yesterday aged 95.
Mrs Scott broke a 120-year tradition of male mayors when she was elected in 1976.
Before her mayoral term, Mrs Scott was already well-versed in local government.
She had the unique distinction of also being lady mayoress when her husband, Gordon Scott, served as mayor in 1958-59.
After her husband's death, Mrs Scott was elected to Ballarat City Council in 1970 and served unopposed as the only female councillor until her retirement in 1981.
The family tradition continued with the election of her daughter Janet Dale to council shortly after.
In her 1976 mayoral policy speech a modest Mrs Scott said: "I am aware of my limitations and have little in common with those women who attempt to achieve their aims by notoriety and unruly behaviour. I am only a housewife, who will aim to understand
all points of view".
Mrs Scott also experienced state government life first-hand, as her husband was the member for the former seat of Ballarat South in the Bolte government.
Mrs Scott was also the first woman president of the Begonia Festival, and the first woman member of the Ballarat Water Commission and Sewerage Authority.
She received the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1978.
Mrs Scott is survived by her children Janet, John and Heather, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.