Originally published August 31, 1972
CR Kaye Gambetta was elected the first woman Mayor of Mildura.
She donned the heavy mayoral robes and chains at Mildura City Council’s annual statutory meeting held in the council chambers.
Sitting in the crowded public gallery were her mother, Mrs Stella Hammond, from Trentham, husband Brian and children Peter, 15, Anne, 13, and Naomi, 10.
Cr Bruce Weir welcomed the new mayor on behalf of councillors, saying it was a historic occasion to see a woman robed as Mayor of the city.
He hoped it would not be the last time a woman filled the position which until now had always been a man’s domain.
The Town Clerk, Mr W. J. Downie, welcomed and congratulated Cr Gambetta on behalf of council staff.
In reply, she said she was proud to accept the office and promised to do her best to maintain the high standards set by previous mayors.
Cr Gambetta welcomed returning councillors Laurie Andriske and Roy Burr and newly appointed Cr Peter Lindsay, who were sworn in at the ceremony.
Cr Gambetta pointed out although the city would be without a mayoress this year, she had been promised all support by her husband and the wives of other councillors.
Because she did not have to go to work each day she would be able to attend daytime council meetings.
The mayoral allowance for the year was set at $3250, the same as last year.
Her appointment was not the first time Cr Gambetta had made history for the 38-year-old council.
She entered council in 1965, the first councillor to obtain an absolute majority in a multiple election.
This performance was repeated last year when she swept back into office.
The city’s first female mayor was awarded an OAM and in 1987 was named Citizen of the Year. The TAFE library is named in her honor.
