Adelaide City Council opal riddle mystery: Town Hall wants your help
CAN you solve the riddle? Lady Mayoress Genevieve Theseira-Haese says the mystery of the ceremonial chain has deepened and hopes the South Australian public can figure it out.
IT was the “missing” Lady Mayoress opal gifted to an overseas mayor more than 30 years ago amid controversy, bitter feuds and legal threats.
But in a twist to the decades-old mystery, it has been discovered the chain is woven through with intricate symbols, representing various aspects of the Lady Mayoress’s role and the city.
The letters and symbols were noticed by an artist who had painted current Lady Mayoress Genevieve Theseira-Haese’s portrait while he was visiting Town Hall.
“There is clearly something there – you can see the B next to the opal,” Ms Theseira-Haese said.
“But what does the rest mean?”
The Advertiser revealed how the $50,000 gemstone was sent to the Texas capital city, Austin, in 1983 but never displayed – instead the “spectacular” jewel was placed in guarded storage.
The ceremonial chain – an 18ct yellow gold necklace along with eight “brilliant” cut diamonds and the opal as its showpiece – was returned to the Town Hall in 2015.
The stone was commissioned by former Lord Mayor James Bowen for his wife, Natalie, in the early 1980s as part of a lavish ceremonial piece.
“It is an important part of our history,” Ms Theseira-Haese said, calling on the public to help unravel the code.
“It is more than an opal. I’m pleased it is back home but I would love to completely solve this mystery.”
The Lady Mayoress’s office has launched a four-week competition, after which the winner will receive an opal, courtesy of Unique Opals.
Go to www.sahistoryhub.com.au/herstory to see if you can decipher the code.