The sub-committees of the Victorian Committee to plan the visit of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
The Age August 7, 1912 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196260986
The Victorian Committee formed a number of sub-committees, the members of which were a 'Who's Who' of Victorian society, government and the scientific world. Of particular interest to us is that Civil Engineer, John Monash was in the Executive and Scientific Committee and Carlo's fellow Italian immigrant, Pietro Baracchi, the Government Astronomer was also on the Scientific sub-committee. Carlo was on the Excursions Committee. The visit of members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science was a success. In the end the party consisted of 350 members, who arrived in Perth, then made their way to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and afterwards to either Brisbane or New Zealand (3). They arrived in Melbourne on August 13, 1914 (4) nine days after World War One was declared. You can read about some of the activities and lectures that took place in Melbourne, here and here (5).
A special map of Melbourne was produced for the delegates showing landmarks such as Hotels, the University, the Public Library, Flinders Street and Spencer Street Railway Stations and the Government Offices at 2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne where Carlo's office was located.
Map of Melbourne for the use of members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Australian Meeting 1914, created by Sands & McDougall.
National Library of Australia https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-229922746/view
It was on Saturday, August 15 that some of the delegates undertook an excursion to Wilson's Promontory, organised by Carlo Catani. It was reported on in The Argus of April 18, 1914 (6) and the report is transcribed below.
VISIT TO NATIONAL PARK - SCIENTISTS OFF THE TRACK
What was probably the most interesting of the weekend excursions arranged for the visiting members of the British Association was the journey made to the National Park, Wilson's Promontory, by a party of visitors under the leadership of Mr Catani, the chief engineer for Public Works.The members of the party were Professor Johnston (of Dublin), Professor Herring (of St Andrews), Mr Chornley (of Oxford), Mr Scharff, Dr Ashby (of Rome), Mr J. W. Audas, F. Z. S (of the National Herbarium, Melbourne) and Mr Kershaw (of the National Museum, Melbourne). Mr Audas rendered very useful service to the botanists of the party in the classification of the plants obtained. During three botanical surveys made of the Promontory in 1908, 1909 and 1910, in which Mr. Audas took part, it was discovered that of the 2,000 varieties in the Victorian flora more than 600 were indigenous to the Promontory To this list another orchid was added during the last excursion. The National Park was therefore a hunting-ground likely to bring joy to the heart of the botanist.
The party left Melbourne by the South Gippsland train on Saturday morning and reached Port Franklin soon after noon. Having lunched there, the party embarked on a motor-boat for a journey across Corner Inlet. As they passed down the Franklin River scores of cranes and native companions were roused from their meal of crabs in the mangrove swamp that lined the river. Three hours were occupied in crossing the Inlet against a heavy wind and sea. Horses were waiting to carry the party to the rest house at the mouth of the Darby River on the western shore of the isthmus but it was half-past 8 o'clock before the last man reached his destination.
Port Franklin, c. 1920. This is where the members of Carlo's excursion had lunch on their way to Wilson's Promontory, which can be seen in the background.
Image titled: Travel for Neptune Oil Company. Photographer: Albert Jones.
State Library of Victoria Image H2007.130/79
During Saturday night rain poured in torrents but the morning cleared bright and warm. An early start was made on horse back for Oberon Bay. The plans made by Mr Catani were that the journey to Oberon Bay, ten miles away should be devoted to a study of the beautiful coastal scenery. It was intended that after lunch at Oberon Bay the return journey should be made by an inland route through some beautiful gullies rich in botanical specimens. While crossing a steep and very rough saddle on Mount Oberon however one half of the party lost the track. After a vain search for more than an hour the remainder of the party pushed on and after lunch sent the ranger back to find the missing men. He came across them just as they were emerging from an impassable portion of the range in an unhappy mood, not improved by the fact that the nearest meal was nearly 10 mile away, over what was certainly the roughest country the visitors had ever seen. The party reunited at the rest house at 9 o'clock that evening to recount all the adventures of the day. Great enthusiasm was aroused by the sight of numbers of large wallabies and native bears.
The party returned to Melbourne yesterday evening delighted with the experience, and keenly appreciative of the efforts that had been made to ensure a successful holiday (The Argus, April 18, 1914, see here)
I am not sure if I would describe this as a holiday, it sounds more like a trip that in the end was endured rather than enjoyed. However, even though Carlo was 62 years old at the time of this trip it seems his enthusiasm, energy and delight in showcasing the beautiful coastal scenery was still as strong as ever.
The rest house at Darby River, Wilson's Promontory. When Carlo and his party stayed there in 1914 it was a three room cottage, which had been built for the ranger. It was expanded in 1923, the building in the photograph (7).
Image title: The Chalet, Wilson's Promontory. Photographer: Victorian Railways photographer, c.1945-1954. State Library of Victoria H91.50/1029.
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Notes
(1) The Leader August 10, 1912, see here.
(2) The first meeting of the Committee was reported on in The Leader August 10, 1912, see here and The Age August 7, 1912, see here.
(4) The Australasian, August 1 1914, see here
(6) The Argus, April 18, 1914, see here.
(7) Garnet, J. Ros A history of Wilson's Promontory (Victorian National Parks Association, 2009) https://vnpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/A-History-of-Wilsons-Promontory.pdf
