In 1910, Cr Stephen Byrne (1) of the Williamstown Council raised the issue that there were 82 acres of Crown land on the west side of the river Yarra and south side of Stony Creek, at Spotswood, from which immense quantities of stone have been quarried, leaving a most unlevel and dangerous surface. That those quarries, covering such a large area, only four miles from the city of Melbourne, form a barrier to settlement on one of the best residential and factory sites about the city and retard in an eminent degree the progress and prosperity of the municipality of Williamstown. Cr Byrne urged the Government to reclaim the land by using silt supplied by the Melbourne Harbour Trust. (2)
Six years later, in July 1916, one suggested use of some of this quarry land was to create a park, the boundaries of which were to be the Stony Creek to the north, The Avenue to the south, Creek Street to the east and Melbourne Road to the west (Melbourne Road becomes Williamstown Road, north of Stony Creek), as seen on the map below.
The proposed park location had as its boundaries - Stony Creek to the north, The Avenue to the south, Melbourne Road to the west and Creek Street the east.
Spotswood and Newport 1927. Morgan's street directory, Melbourne & suburbs 1927.
State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/287999
To this end of creating a new park in Spotswood, the local member of Parliament suggested that Carlo Catani could be be involved, as the Williamstown Advertiser, reported -
Proposed Spotswood Lake. Mr C. Catani, C.E., to report. Mr. J. Lemmon, M L.A., some time ago suggested to the Progress Association that it might do some thing to make use of the natural features of Stony Creek with a view to beautification. The recreation reserve is on its banks and he thought the water might be impounded and formed into a lake, and suggested that the services of Mr C. Catani, Chief Engineer of Public Works, who was an expert landscape gardener, might be requisitioned for to consider whether the ground enclosed might not be converted into a national park. The Association has adopted the suggestion and at the request of Mr Lemmon the Minister has promised that a report will be obtained from Mr Catani at an early date. (3)
Towards the end of July Carlo met with Mr. J. Lemmon, M.L.A., the Mayor of Williamstown, Cr Byrne, and a number of local residents and -
An inspection of the site, its area and surface, which is broken by projecting rock and deep depressions, was made. Mr. Catani subsequently promised to have a survey undertaken and levels and suggestions for improvement made. The engineer regards the site as one of the best and most picturesque about Melbourne. With artistic laying out and subsequent care the park would be come a place of beauty. The Mayor suggested that throwing a concrete wall across Stony Creek, and creating an artificial lake would add to the beautification and popularity of the park, and that by raising the ford over the Stony Creek a second lake of very great value could be secured. (4)
It was nearly a year later, in May 1917, just after Carlo had retired from the Public Works Department, that the plan was presented to the public and the Yarraville Weekly News described it as a complete and beautiful design for a recreation reserve and public park at Spotswood. (5)
As the Spotswood Park design appears to be one of Carlo's final projects, his report, as published in the Williamstown Advertiser, is reproduced here in full. The total cost of the plan was £3,515, of which the funds for the whole work, Mr Catani, suggests might be raised by some public function, "after the victorious conclusion of the war" (6) Sadly, we don't have copies of the the two plans which accompanied his report.
The Secretary, As instructed I visited Spotswood with Mr Lemmon, M.L A., councillors and residents, and having heard their views, aspirations and requirements, beg to submit this report and two drawings illustrating the proposal which I would submit for the laying out of a park and recreation reserve in that locality.
Area of Park - I must point out that it became apparent on inspection that the recreation reserve already set apart for recreation purposes at Spotswood is, owing to the broken nature of the ground, insufficient for the purpose of a recreation reserve alone, as it would be impossible to lay out in it a proper sports oval, which ought to be at least 120 x 200 yards. In order, therefore, to meet the requirements of the case, I am assuming that about 23 acres of Crown land comprised within the Melbourne rd., the Avenue, Creek st., the southern boundary of allot 79 and its production to the creek, and the Stony Creek itself will be made available for the purpose of the park. I suggest, besides that, about 4½ acres of private land be re-purchased in order to create a lake in the depression of the creek with a path surrounding same as indicated on plan. The total area of the park should be 27 acres.
Sports Oval - The main feature of the reserve will be the formation of the sports oval 200 x 120 yards, surrounded by a mound 30 ft. wide with [?] to 1 slopes for the convenience of the spectators and path 20 in. wide giving access to same. The oval is so located that it will be level along the longitudinal axis and have a cross fall of about 5 ft. The extent of cutting and filling is shown in cross and longitudinal sections in drawing "B." The total excavation will be about 4500 yards, and it is assumed that the stone excavated will be sold to the Council for spalls, so that it will only cost the trustees 1/- per yard to remove, or £225 in all. If the Council could be prevailed upon forming roads in the vicinity of the park and depositing the excavated material in the oval, the excavation and the cost would be considerably reduced. Once the sport ground shall have been formed revenue can be obtained, if power to make a charge on occasions can be secured. The ramp round the oval can be constructed with loose boulders covered with material from various sources when it shall become available.
Tennis Courts - Two tennis courts should be provided as close as possible to the railway station, and a separate tennis club should provide for their construction and pay a small ground rent to the trustees; or they could be made public courts, the players paying so much a game, as is being done in the Metropolitan area.
Bowling Green and Croquet Lawns - The same may be said of the bowling green and croquet lawns, which should be built and managed by special clubs paying ground rent to the trustees.
Paths - The paths should be set out as shown in drawing "A," well raised in the centre, properly drained, and their surface treated with coal ashes at first, but with proper gravel as soon as funds become available. The work in the early stages should be done by working bees.
Plantations, Rockeries, Lawns, etc. - The ground should be shaped; the rough boulders should be sold or placed in depressions, or banks, or utilised in the rookeries which could be terraced, or arranged on the boarders of the lake, where headlands and points of vantage could be created. A water supply would be necessary before extensive planting could be made. The lawns should be graded, soiled, and may at first consist of rough grass, cut occasionally with a mowing machine, or eaten by cattle, until the sports enclosure shall provide sufficient revenue to maintain proper lawns and make floral displays. Trees, supplied by the Forest's department, may be planted by working bees supervised by the municipal ranger; palms can follow.
Lake - Some 4½ acres of private land will require to be purchased as indicated on plan "B." The funds for this purpose might be raised after the victorious conclusion of the war. A jetty, boats, shelters and refreshment room will follow in due course.
Fencing.- A neat and cheap fence may be of use in the early stages for collecting revenue from agistment fees. When the park shall have reached its proper development, the fence may be replaced by hedges and plantations.
Caretaker's Cottage and Sanitary Conveniences - A pretty cottage could be built for the curator of the park and sanitary conveniences provided.
These are the leading features I would recommend for the consideration of the trustees of the park, and it would be useless to go into fuller details so far in advance of requirements. The essentials at present are - The securing of the additional Crown land to prevent the creation of vested interests hostile to the future development of the schemes; the formation of the sports oval, and the completion of a somewhat light fence, the whole of which can be done for about £300, or less, if plenty of volunteer help be
available,
I append an estimate of the complete scheme.
C. CATANI Chief Engineer. (7)
The costings, as provided by Carlo were -
1. Levelling, etc.- Rock, 2,250 yds; soil, 2,250 yds, at 1/- per yd. __ £225. (A recoup in respect of stone if sold for roadmaking is anticipated to the extent of 2/6 per yard; therefore, 1/- per yard is allowed instead of 3/6)
2. Forming bank round oval, 4,800 yds. at 1/ __ £240
3. Forming paths, 150 chains at £1 __ £150
4. Tree planting __ £300
5. Water supply __ £200
6. Drainage __ £300
7. Tennis court __ £150
8. Bowling green and shelters __ £200
9. Croquet lawn __ £300
10. Preparing and planting lawns __ £300
11. Rockeries, terraces, etc. __ £150
12. Lake, jetty, dam, etc. __ £300
13, Rotunda __ £150
14. Caretaker's quarters __ £350
15. Fencing-60 chains at 30/ __ £100
16. Sanitary conveniences __ £300
Total __ £3,515 (8)
So this was Carlo's beautiful design for the Spotswood Park. As is expected for a grand vision not all of the community were in favour - those against thought the land could be better used for industry; that a park would be better established in a more central location; that as the Stony Creek was the border of the City of Williamstown and the City of Footscray, that people of Footscray would benefit from Williamstown's expenditure; that the existing reserves in the area are not being maintained and that the money could be better used for other purposes. (9) One local in favour suggested that it would benefit Spotswood as a whole - were Mr Catani's scheme carried out, the whole district would benefit, as the passengers going up and down the river on boats would speedily get a different impression altogether of this neighborhood. (10)
Spotswood Recreation Reserve, marked in this 1930 Street Directory.
The Avenue is called Bay View Avenue here.
Spotswood, Newport and Yarraville, 1930
Morgan's street directory. Melbourne & suburbs, 1930.
State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/288125
Did Carlo's beautiful design come to fruition? Some of it did but it took a decade or so, as the land had to be reclaimed from quarry use. For instance, in 1926 it was decided to place the tennis court elsewhere as the filling up of the Spotswood Recreation Reserve would take some time to settle sufficiently. (11)
Work appears to have been commenced in 1928, as in the July it was reported -
For the purpose of taking steps to relieve distress at Spotswood, a public meeting was held yesterday in the local mechanics' institute. The mayor of Williamstown (Cr. Wilcher) presided. An offer was made by Williamstown council to donate £500 towards making a sports oval on the ground set apart for the purpose adjoining the Melbourne-road, provided that £250 was raised by residents. The meeting pledged itself to subscribe the necessary amount, towards which £50 was raised in the room. A committee to forward the movement was formed, Mr. Stevens being appointed secretary. When a commencement is made with the oval it is expected that work will be found for about 25 men. (12)
Progress was reported in the September of 1928 -
Work on Spotswood Recreation Reserve Towards the relief of unemployment at Spotswood, the president of the Spotswood Citizens' League (Mr J. H. Read) has sent the Williamstown council a second Instalment of £175 raised by the residents for work on the new Spotswood recreation reserve. A number of unemployed is now fencing the ground and planting pine trees. (13)
In July 1931, a pavilion was erected - Three local men, Messrs. Ball, Pierce and Hodgson, have secured the contract for erecting and renovating the pavilion on Spotswood Reserve, which was recently transferred from Williamstown cricket ground. Work was commenced on Tuesday of this week, and when completed will mean a great improvement. (14)
Finally in October 1932, 15 years after Carlo's report, it could be announced that the reserve was opened -
Constructed at a cost of £4710 by the council, a cricket ground recreation reserve and children's playground at The Avenue, Spotswood, were officially opened by the Mayor of Williamstown (Cr. T. Briggs) last Saturday afternoon. A cricket match was later played on the ground between Clifton Hill A.N.A. and Spotswood Clubs. The oval covers the site of a famous quarry. About £700 was raised by the Spotswood Citizens' League towards the cost of the improvements. The Mayor said that £4710/16/6 had been spent on the reserve, £3855 for filling, levelling and tree planting, £230 on the playground, £255 for fencing, £15 for band rotunda, and £355 for sewering. (15)
As for the other aspects of Carlo's plans - the bowling green, croquet lawn, rockeries, the palm trees, the lake and the associated jetties, rotunda, and refreshment room and the Caretaker's cottage - I have no evidence that they were ever constructed. The Spotswood Reserve was renamed the Donald McLean Reserve in October 1946. All I know about Donald McLean is that he was listed in the Electoral Rolls at 29 The Avenue, Spotswood and that his occupation was a fitter. He died October 2, 1967, aged 87. His wife was Emma Kate Sleap, whom he married in 1907, and who died in Perth on February 3, 1970, aged 89.
Finally - I can find no photographs of the Reserve.
Trove list - I have created a list of articles connected to Carlo and the Spotswood Reserve, access it here
Footnotes
(1) Cr Stephen Byrne- read his 11921 obituary in the Williamstown Chronicle of May 7, 1921, here.
(2) The Age, February 23, 1910, see here.
(3) Williamstown Advertiser, July 8, 1916, see here.
(4) Williamstown Chronicle, July 29, 1916, see here.
(5) Yarraville Weekly News, May 19, 1917, see here.
(6) Ibid
(7) Carlo's report - Williamstown Advertiser, May 26, 1917, see here.
(8) Carlo's costings - Williamstown Advertiser, May 26, 1917, see here.
(9) Letters to the Editor of the Williamstown Advertiser on the issue - from June 9, 1917 see here and here; from June 16, 1917, see here.
(10) Williamstown Advertiser, June 9, 1917, see here.
(11) Williamstown Chronicle, February 6, 1926, see here.
(11) Williamstown Chronicle, February 6, 1926, see here.
(12) The Age, July 19, 1928, see here.
(13) The Herald, September 8, 1928, see here.
(14) Williamstown Advertiser, July 18, 1931, see here.
(15) Williamstown Chronicle, October 8, 1932, see here.
(16) Williamstown Advertiser, October 19 1946, see here.
(17) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry and Probate; Indexes to the Victorian Birth, Deaths and Marriages; Administration Files (VPRS28) at Public Records Office of Victoria.
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