Carlo and the issue of Mixed Bathing

In January 1911, The Argus published this report - 
Mixed bathing is now one of the attractions at Mount Buffalo. In the improvements made when the new hospice was being erected was provision for a lake, and in a letter which Mr. Catani has received he is informed that the lake has been greatly appreciated by the Christmas season visitors, both for boating and swimming. The ladies have made use of it for both recreations, and mixed bathing is already an established custom of the mountain holiday resort. The tennis courts, it is mentioned, are also now 
in readiness for players. (1)

The Hospice referred to is the Chalet, which opened in 1910. The lake, was a project of Carlo's and was created by the damming of the Eurobin Creek, with the construction of the weir forming a lake of 58 acres (23 hectares).  It was established to help make Mount Buffalo a year-round tourist resort - with swimming, fishing and skating, and named Lake Catani, in his honour. (2)

Lake Catani, c. 1910.

Photographer: F. Foxtrot.

Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/768834

Mixed bathing was a controversial topic at the time but the fact that it was an established custom at Lake Catani seems to have been met with equanimity, unlike the reaction to mixed bathing at the 1912 Methodist Conference where -

At the afternoon sitting of the Methodist Conference yesterday, Rev. T. Adamson moved, in accordance with notice - That in the view of the distinctly immoral conditions at present being created by the practice of mixed bathing, this conference protests against the continuance of the practice as at present prevailing, and urges upon the Government the necessity of using its powers to control municipal action in this matter.   

He said he was placed in a position by his circuit duties to understand the set of conditions created by mixed bathing. On the foreshores from Port Melbourne, through Albert Park, to St. Kilda, and beyond, a deplorable condition of things existed. Police officers who were watching the beach very closely were powerless to prevent the evil. Residents of Beaconsfield-parade - a residential area along the foreshore - had told him, and he had seen for himself, that on a summer's evening there was hideous immorality

along the beach. (3)

It wasn't just the Reverend Adamson who thought that mixed bathing in South Melbourne and St Kilda was immoral. Further around the Bay, Mr Lowther of the Chelsea Progress Association discussed the mixed bathing question and he expressed the hope that the beach at Chelsea would not be the scene of such displays as had occurred at South Melbourne and St. Kilda.... and he feared that Chelsea may get a reputation like South Melbourne if the foreshore trust does not exercise due vigilance. (4) 

We have no information about whether Carlo was in favour of mixed bathing, but I would have no reason to think that he would be against it, as long as the participants were decently clothed. He was fully aware of the matter as the issue of mixed bathing in the sea (as opposed to enclosed baths such as Kenney's Baths) was debated in February 1911, in Carlo's home town of St Kilda and was also discussed by the St Kilda  Foreshore Committee, of which he was a member.

The Prahran Telegraph reported on the debate - 

Mixed Bathing - The action of the South Melbourne Council in passing a resolution in favour of open bathing on the foreshore has resulted in thousands of people going down to the seashore for a dip, the practice being to wear a bathing dress under a dressing gown or other garment, the latter being dropped on the beach. There has, so far, been little which is objectionable, and much that is pleasant and healthy in the practice, though, as in other places, the authorities require to be constantly on the alert to prevent rowdies intruding. The influence of South Melbourne has extended to St. Kilda, and on Monday evening Cr. Pittard asked the foreshore committee to erect dressing sheds on the beach. He said it was no use getting away from the fact that they were going to have mixed bathing. He moved accordingly.

The Mayor: One shelter for the two sexes. Cr. Pittard: No. There should be screens put up for the benefit of each sex. Open sea bathing was going to be the rule, and it should be encour-ged by making it decently possible. Cr. O'Donnell : We have no resolution on mixed bathing. Cr. Gibbs, as a member of the Foreshore Trust, said he was sure that body would consider any request from the Council as favourably as possible.

The Mayor: What about shark-proof fencing? Cr. O'Donnell remarked that the resolution would be a very dangerous one to carry. He had heard several complaints about mixed bathing that was carried on. Cr. Gibbs: It is perfectly legal so long as the bathers are decently clothed. Cr. O'Donnell asked whether Cr. Gibbs would go regularly to see if people were properly clothed. He would like the Council, before carrying the motion, to give serious consideration to the whole question of mixed bathing and adopt rules for its conduct.

The Mayor: If you object to it the motion cannot be put to-night. Cr. O'Donnell: Well, I do strongly object to its coming on without notice. Cr. Pittard then gave notice of motion for next meeting. (5)

In a follow-up report, two weeks later - 

Mixed Bathing at St. Kilda - At the St. Kilda Council meeting on Monday evening last Cr. Pittard moved: "That the St. Kilda shore committee be asked to consider the advisableness of providing dressing screens or shelters on the foreshore, to permit of bathing in the open."  Cr. Stedeford seconded the motion. There was no doubt that mixed open sea bathing would at length come into general vogue. The Mayor : We have it now.

Cr. Hewison said he did not know whether councillors had all come to the conclusion that mixed bathing at St. Kilda was desirable. He had indulged in it, and he was convinced of its advantages under proper conditions. The sending of a letter conveying the proposed resolution would suggest to the Foreshore Trust that the Council approved of providing for mixed bathing. The beach immediately in front of the Esplanade did not lend itself to open sea bathing. People came to St. Kilda to promenade and enjoy the sea air, and to have mixed bathing in front of the Esplanade was not desirable. There should be limitation, and the principal objection he saw was that people did not immediately dress when they came out of the water, but lay about on the sand. He did not know how far propriety would be ensured by erecting dressing screens.

Cr. O'Donnell said he had tried to keep an open mind on the matter, but what he had seen on the beach on the way to Port Melbourne on the preceding morning had not impressed him favourably. Mixed bathers stayed tumbling and cossing about the sand for an hour at a time. Cr. Billson : They are proud of their figures. Cr. Gibbs said the Foreshore Trust was about to give consideration to the subject, and would inform the Council subsequently of what it had in its mind to do. The motion was withdrawn by consent for four weeks, pending receipt of information from the trust. (6)

St Kilda Council were still debating this issue in March 1912 when they passed a motion controlling open-sea mixed bathing which included the clause -  No person shall bathe in the open sea at any such part as aforesaid of the seashore unless effectively and decently clothed from neck to knee in a bathing costume, kilted, or similar to that known as the Canadian costume. (7).  This motion was put, in spite of the fact that at that same Council meeting  - Councillor Gibbs said that the Foreshore Trust had been informed by the Crown solicitor that it had no power at present to make by-laws to control the open the open sea bathing. (8)

The Canadian costume, compulsory attire for mixed bathing.

Perth Sunday Times, February 17, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58070817

More regulations were introduced in January 1915 with both time and age restrictions and restrictions with the objective to control open sea bathing. (9)  The issue was still not settled in 1918 and the following report shows some of the issues that policing mixed bathing produced -

Bathers - mixed and otherwise -  will be interested in the recent decision of the South Melbourne Council to amend the bathing regulations so us to bring them more into line with those at St Kilda. This decision which will allow of mixed bathing between 5 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. on week days, and from 5 a.m. till 11 a.m. on Sundays, will make the regulations more liberal than those that obtain at St Kilda, where mixed bathing is only permitted in parts between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Last season the South Melbourne Council permitted mixed bathing only between 5 a.m. and sundown, whereas at St. Kilda the sexes could bathe together until much later in the evening. The result was that in the hot weather there would be a secession of Albert Park residents, men, women and children, over the border of the two municipalities, to enjoy a dip together in the free atmosphere of the St. Kilda foreshore. The border line was represented by an imaginary line running out to sea from Fraser street, which was the southern boundary of South Melbourne. In the circumstances, when once the water was entered, it was very much a matter of opinion as to whether a bather was within or outside the restricted area, and the confusion that resulted gave rise to many amusing situations and incidents. 

The report ends with - 

At Port Melbourne the hours of bathing are not restricted, but bathers, as elsewhere, must wear the neck to knee Canadian costume, and observe the laws of propriety. Neither are there any restrictions as to hours of bathing at Brighton or the new municipality of Sandringham. A strict watch is kept by the police to prevent anything in the nature of disorderly conduct, but there is seldom cause for complaint. (10).

The Truth newspaper headline

Truth, November 16, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130174264

Truth newspaper also reported on these absurd rules where mixed bathing was allowed in Port Melbourne at all hours, but once over the border at Pickles Street and into the City of South Melbourne, restrictions applied. (11)  This, above, was the amusing head-line of the Truth article, which can be read here.

The bathing costume on the right is a two-piece Canadian, made of wool, under a towelling gown.

Graphic of Australia, December 28, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153080029 

Carlo's Lake Catani, at which mixed bathing was accepted at a time when it was still the subject of  much debate and restriction even in St Kilda and other the pleasure spots of Melbourne, makes it a trail blazer in Victoria.  I will go so far to say that Carlo, through his construction of Lake Catani,  led the way in Victoria in regards to mixed bathing. 

Footnotes

(1) The Argus, January 7, 1911, see here.

(2) https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/carlo-catani-an-engineering-star-over-victoria/mount-buffalo

(3) The Age, March 6, 1912, see here. 

(4) The Age, March 11, 1912, see here; The Australasian, March 16 1912, see here. 

(5) Prahran Telegraph, February 11, 1911, see here. 

(6) Prahran Telegraph, February 25, 1911, see here. 

(7) The Argus, March 5, 1912, see here.

(8) Ibid. 

(9) The Argus, January 19, 1915, see here. 

(10) The Herald, October 29, 1918, see here.  

(11) Truth, November 16, 1918, see here. 

Above the clouds - Trout fishing in Lake Catani

Carlo was responsible for opening some of Victoria's most scenic tourist areas, of which Mount Buffalo is the best-known. The road between Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo was engineered by Carlo and officially opened by the Victorian Premier, Thomas Bent, in October 1908. The Mount Buffalo Chalet, was opened around August 1910 and provided accommodation for the tourists (1).  

One of the attractions of the area was a lake, formed by the construction of  a weir across Eurobin Creek. The lake was 23 hectares (56 acres) in size. In January 1911, The Age reported that Acting on the suggestion of the Bright Shire Council, the Government has decided that the picturesque lake on the top of Mount Buffalo shall be named Lake Catani. This is considered to be a well-deserved recognition of the work done by Mr. Catani, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, in connection with the opening up of Mount Buffalo as a tourist resort. The construction of the lake was suggested and carried out by Mr Catani (2).

Lake Catani, Mt. Buffalo. Photographer: Alice Manfield.

State Library of Victoria Image H2003.97/5

Lake Catani was stocked with trout, and in January 1913 a 4lb trout was caught just below the weir, the largest trout that has yet been obtained, as Carlo was informed (3).  It's interesting that not only was Carlo informed of the catch, but it was reported in the newspapers (see below). There would be very few senior public servants today who are as well known or as respected.

A 4lb trout is caught in Lake Catani

The Herald, January 21 1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241795620

There was another report of a record trout being caught in Lake Catani, a month later. This trout was caught when Carlo accompanied the Premier of Queensland, Mr Digby Denham (4) and his wife, Alice to Mount Buffalo.  The Denham's were on a trip to the southern States - From Adelaide, a visit was paid to the Buffalo, which was reached by motor. Mr. and Mrs. Denham were accompanied by Signor Catani, who is known as the "father of the Buffalo," and after whom the lake is called. In Lake Catani, the party caught a trout, weighing about 5lbs., which is remarkable, in that it was the first trout in

those parts to be taken by a hook. 

Carlo accompanies the Queensland Premier and Mrs Denham to Mount Buffalo

 and a record trout is caught.

The Brisbane Week, February 14,  1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/201058344/21115381#

A year later, in February 1914, The Argus (5) published a enthusiastic account of trout fishing in Lake Catani. I am sure if Carlo had read this, he would have been very happy to know that his work in creating a tourist resort was appreciated. The article is transcribed here and provides an interesting look at the resort on Mount Buffalo only a few years after its establishment

ABOVE THE CLOUDS - TROUT FISHING IN LAKE CATANI By J.O.S.

A few years ago a little splashing gurgling creek meandered across a plain on the top of Mount Buffalo and then threaded its course between the walls of a deep and rugged gorge and eventually found its way to the foot of the mount. What became of it afterwards is of small moment, but it doubtless made its way per the medium of deeper and wider streams to the sea. With the establishment of the comfortable  and commodious Government chalet on the Buffalo Plateau the idea occurred to somebody that it would be possible by the simple expedient of throwing a wall across a narrow part of the gorge to transform the somewhat unlovely marsh plain into a beautiful mountain lake and as a result Lake Catani is there to-day to gladden the eye of the tourist with its broad expanse of glittering sapphire water and to enhance the interest as well as the beauty of that wonderful region which has well earned its poetic title "The Garden of the Gods."

It seems incredible when one stands on the sloping shore of this beautiful sheet of water watching its rippling wavelets, rejoicing in the glory of its sixty broad acres that the hand of man had had anything to do with its creation. There are capes and promontories, bays and inlets, grass grown hanks spangled with wild flowers and where the sides of the gorge rise precipitously from the water, great snow gums thrive and throw their shadows over the deep and silent pools. When one stands on the top of the Monolith rock that huge and wonderful boulder 40ft in height balanced on the edge of a mighty granite outcrop-and gazes down into the shimmering blue depths immediately below, he is reminded of pictures he has seen of some beautiful Swiss like scene, and he wonders if the colouring is not too blue to be natural.

Lake Catani from the Monolith. Photographer: Alice Manfield.

State Library of Victoria Image H2003.95/99

Perhaps Lake Catani with all its fresh novelty and with all its beauties would possess but scanty charms for the tourist who is also something of an angler were it not plentifully stocked with English trout.  That beneficient Government that has done everything connected with the tourist's comfort and convenience on this wonderful mountain so well has attended to the business of stocking this lake in a manner quite on a par with its splendid work in other departments. To stand near the water on a balmy summer evening and see the surface agitated as far as one can see with leaping fish, one realises that the lake is literally teeming with trout. That they thrive well in this region there is no question. It is said that during the past four years the Government has liberated fifteen hundred yearling trout each season. It is on record properly authenticated that fish have already been taken over five pounds in weight. During the past three weeks I have caught dozens of trout in the lake, several weighing between two and three pounds, and scarely any under a pound and a half. These fish are lusty and full of fight and afford the best of sport. They rise readily to a grasshopper whipped on the surface (particularly in the evening) and they will take any ordinary ground bait such as worm, white grub or frog at any hour of the day. The best plan for frog bait fishing during the bright sunny hours is to cast well out from the bank for your trout is a shy, suspicious creature and if he sees you he forgets that he is hungry. As the shadows deepen and the water loses its transparency it is quite common to hook a good fish quite close to the waters edge.

Sunset, Lake Catani. Photographer: Alice Manfield.

State Library of Victoria Image H2003.97/50

It is only a pleasant quarter of an hour's walk from the Chalet to the lake and all the good fishing spots can be easily reached for there are a couple of excellent boats placed there for the convenience of visitors and a short pull will take you to any given point. From my impressions of a most enjoyable holiday just spent on the Buffalo, I am of opinion that this spot will soon attract great numbers of trout fishers who will be able to indulge in their favourite sport under the most favourable conditions. For in addition to the fishing ground being so close to the base thus obviating the usual necessity of exhausting tramps through miles of scrubby undergrowth, the Chalet itself offers all the comforts of a luxurious home and even a tired trout angler can appreciate the joys of a hot plunge and a cold shower after a busy day. Splendidly managed and capably staffed the comfortably built residence on the edge of the gorge is always a good place to come home to, and I know of nothing better than to drop into an easy posture on "Bent's Look-out" as the shades of evening deepen into purple, light a fragrant pipe, gaze over the miles of rolling hills and valleys that stretch below, and reflect that another heavy basket has gone round to the kitchen to be dealt with in due course by that very important member of the entourage - the chef.

I wonder if this is one of the excellent boats placed for the convenience of visitors, as referred to above. This photo also shows the weir, the construction of which, on the Eurobin Creek, formed Lake Catani.

Lake Catani, Mount Buffalo, c. 1911. Photographer: Herbert Percival Bennett.

State Library of Victoria Image H88.24/2. This photo was on a stereocard and has been cropped.

Three of the photographs on this page were taken by Alice Manfield (1878 - 1960).  Alice was born in 1878 to James Samuel Manfield and Jane Douglas Simpson, she was the eighth of their ten children (6). Alice married a cousin, John Edmund Manfield on December 1, 1917 at the Cecil Street Methodist Church in South Melbourne. They had a daughter, Genevieve, on June 3, 1919. Alice died July 14, 1960 (7).  Alice's father had acted as a guide to tourists on Mount Buffalo and in the late 1890s the Manfields built a Chalet or Hospice to accommodate guests (8). Alice acted as a guide, in fact, she was known as 'Guide Alice'.  So well known was she by this name that she used it in birth announcement of her daughter, Genevieve.

Birth announcement of Genevieve - love the use of 'Guide Alice' as her 'nee' name!

The Argus, June 7, 1919 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1476446

Alice was also a noted photographer and naturalist.  In 1924, she wrote a book The Lyre-Birds of Mount Buffalo. The introduction describes her as a fine horsewoman as well as a daring and skillful climber. It's a delightful book, only 22 pages long with her photographs of the lyre-bird from a chick to adulthood. The State Library of Victoria have it digitised, here. They also have hundreds of her photographs digitised - www.slv.vic.gov.au.  

A Studio portrait of Guide Alice. She was noted for wearing 'mens clothing' i.e. trousers 

in her everyday life as a guide and naturalist. 

State Library of Victoria Image H2003.95/145

On March 28, 1965, the Harrietville Historical Society unveiled a bronze plaque in Alice's memory on the site of the Manfield Chalet, which overlooked a gorge near Bent's Look-out. The plaque features an engraving of a lyre bird, taken from the cover photo of Alice's book, The Lyre-Birds of Mount Buffalo  (9).

The Alice Manfield Memorial Plaque at Mount Buffalo. 

Image courtesy of  Addi Lautman-Wurt  (© Addi Lautman-Wurt)

The Alice Manfield Memorial Plaque at Mount Buffalo.

Image courtesy of  Addi Lautman-Wurt  (© Addi Lautman-Wurt)

Acknowledgment: I am extremely grateful to Addi Lautman-Wurt for taking photographs of Alice's plaque at Mount Buffalo for this post, and to my research colleague, Isaac Hermann,  for arranging for the photos to be taken.

Footnotes

(1) My colleague, Isaac Hermann, and I have written more about Carlo's work on Mount Buffalo in our Victorian Collections story on Carlo Catani, see it here,   https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/carlo-catani-an-engineering-star-over-victoria/mount-buffalo

(2) The Argus, January 24, 1911, see here.

(3) The Herald, January 21 1913, see here. 

(4) Digby Denham, Premier of Queensland, read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.  

(5) The Argus, February 7, 1914, see here.

(6) Information about Alice Manfield and her siblings comes from the Victorian Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages. 

(7) I was alerted to the fact that Alice married and had a daughter, Genevieve in an article by Mary Ryllis Clark in The Age March 1, 1988 - this was an interview with Genevieve. Genevieve married Eric Gustave Baumgarten in 1951. Eric died 1975 aged 59 and Genevieve died in 2003 at the age of 83. Alice's death date taken from her Probate papers at the Public Records Office of Victoria. John Edmund Manfield died February 10, 1949. Alice and Edmund and Alice's parents are buried at Bright Cemetery. There are photos on-line here  - http://www.ozgenonline.com/~nhm_cemeteries/Bright_Cemetery/index.html

Alice Manfield's marriage notice

Punch, November 29, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121083496

Death notice of John Manfield

The Age February 11, 1949 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205363879

(8) Information about Manfield's Chalet came from The Mount Buffalo Story 1898-1998 by Danny Webb and Bob Adams (Melbourne University Press, 1998)

(9) The Age, March 29, 1965, p. 6. 

Paintings of Lake Catani

One of the paintings exhibited at the Victorian Artists' Society Annual Exhibition of Paintings in October 1911, was Lake Catani, Buffalo Mountains by John Ford Paterson (1).  Lake Catani was part of Carlo's vision to make Mount Buffalo a year round tourist resort. Work in the area began in January 1908 on the road, which was engineered by Carlo, linking Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo. The road was completed in the October. Carlo and the Public Works Department also created a 23 hectare lake, often referred to as a skating lake, through the damming of the Eurobin Creek and the construction of a  weir. In January 1911, this lake was named in honour of Carlo Catani at the suggestion of the Bright Shire Council in recognition of the work undertaken by Catani in opening up the mountain as a tourist resort. Other projects on Mt Buffalo included a golf course and more famously, the Chalet, which opened in August 1910.  You can read more about Carlo and Mount Buffalo in our (2) Victorian Collections, story, here.

There are many postcards and photographs of Lake Catani, but very few paintings, so I was interested to 'discover' John Ford Paterson's painting, which was acquired by the Queensland Art Galley in November 1912 (3). The Hobart Mercury reported on this acquisition  - Two years ago Mr. Paterson made many sketches of the district, and in his finished work conveys a fine impression of the lake. The scheme is grey, with the background of hills and gum forest reflected on the water. A group of cattle is shown in the middle distance. The whole composition and colour scheme are in harmony, and thoroughly characteristic of the painter's final methods. This picture has a special interest as being the last important work painted by him (4).

Lake Catani, Buffalo Mountains -  John Ford Paterson. 1911.

Queensland Art Galley https://blog.qagoma.qld.gov.au/blog-1-0123_007/

John Ford Paterson was born in Dundee in Scotland in 1851 and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy Schools in Edinburgh. He came to Melbourne in 1872, returned to Scotland three years later, where he remained until 1884; when he then came back to Melbourne. He died suddenly at the age of 62, in July 1912 (5). In 1929, the Brisbane Courier wrote this about John Ford Paterson - There was one thing which Mr. Paterson perhaps suggested better than any other of our artists, and that was the mystery of the bush. He has a definite place among those who have worthily interpreted the character of the landscape (6).

In November 1932, the Grosvenor Gallery in Melbourne held a memorial exhibition of John Ford Paterson's paintings. Arthur Streeton reviewed it for The Argus and he described the Lake Catani painting as another rare expression of his gems (7). I am not sure if the word should have been genius and not gems and it was a misprint by the paper, either way, it is high praise from Arthur Streeton.

John was the brother of Charles Stewart Paterson of the firm Paterson Bros, which later monopolized the decoration of wealthy homes and such public buildings as Government House, Melbourne Town Hall, the Parliamentary Library and the Prahran Public Library. Another brother was the artist, Hugh Paterson, who was the father of Esther Ford and Betty Ford, who were also artists. His sister, Mary, was the mother of Louis Esson, the poet and dramatist (8).

I have found three other newspaper reports of paintings of Lake Catani - Lake Catani, Mount Buffalo, Victoria a water colour by Mrs W. G. Torr, exhibited at her solo show at the Society of Arts Gallery in Adelaide in June 1921 (9); Frost and Snow on Lake Catani, by water colourist and printmaker, Elsie Barlow, exhibited with the Victorian Artists' Society in April 1926 (10) and oil painting, Lake Catani,  by William Rowell, exhibited in 1945 (11). 

Mrs W. G. Torr was Mary Frances Torr.  Mary was born in Brighton in Melbourne in 1857 to John and Ann (nee Creswell) Walter. She married David Buchan in 1886, who died in 1891.  In 1912 she married William George Torr (12) who had established Old Oxford House in Adelaide in 1909 as a Methodist Training College. He was also a noted collector of shells (13).  A report of the 1921 exhibition, where the Lake Catani painting was displayed said that the list [of sold paintings] is a sufficient indication of Mrs. Torr's versatility, and of the attractive nature of her pictures. She is well known as an exhibitor at the annual displays of the Society of Arts, a good colourist with an unfailing eye for the picturesque (14). Mary exhibited at the Society of Arts show in September 1925 and the Adelaide Register reported that Mrs. W. G. Torr's exhibits constitute an agreeable show, and her watercolours reveal an intimate communion with Nature out of doors (15).  In 1928 she donated two paintings to decorate Old Oxford House or as it was reported they were given two choice paintings from Mrs. W. G. Torr.  Mrs. Torr is well to the front among artists, consequently her contributions are worthy of a place in the best art gallery in the State (16).  I can't find any references to Mary practising as an artist as Mary Walter or Mary Buchan. Mary died in Brighton in Adelaide at the age of 80 in 1937 (17). 

Elsie Frederica Barlow was born in Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) in 1876 to  Sidney and Charlotte (nee Hemsley) Hake. She attended Faireleight Girls School (18) in St Kilda where she was taught art by Jane Sutherland (19).  Elsie later attended School of Design at the National Gallery in Melbourne (20) and she was a member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (21). Elsie was instrumental in establishing the Castlemaine Art Gallery in 1913. She was living in Castlemaine as her husband, Arthur, was the police magistrate in the area and after exhibiting some of her work, she formed the committee to establish a permanent gallery in the town (22).  Elsie died in 1948 in Mentone.

William Rowell was the acting head of the National Gallery art school in Melbourne and died in 1946, aged 48 (23).

Where are these three paintings now? Mary Torr's painting was one of the works sold at her 1921 exhibiton, but that is all I can tell you. 

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove connected to  John Ford Paterson's Lake Catani and the works by Mary Torr, Elsie Barlow and William Rowell. Access the list, here.

Footnotes
(1) The Age October 14, 1911, see here.

(2) The Victorian Collections story Carlo Catani: An engineering star over Victoria was resarched and written by myself and my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann.
(3) Leader November 30, 1912, see here.

(4) Hobart Mercury, December 2, 1912, see here.

(5) John Ford Paterson entry in the  Australian Dictionary of Biography, by Marjorie Tipping   https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paterson-john-ford-4372

(6) Brisbane Courier, August 10 1929, see here.

(7) The Argus, November 10, 1932, see here.

(8) Information and the quote is from the Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB) entry, see footnote  5. There is information about Esther Paterson in the ADB entry of her husband, George Gill, here. Louis Esson's ADB entry is here.

(9) Adelaide Register, June 16 1921, see here.

(10) The Herald, April 26, 1926 see here. William Rowell and Esther Paterson, John Ford Paterson's niece, also had work in the same exhibition.

(11) The Age, July 31, 1945, see here.

(12) Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages. I was helped by the information provided in William Torr's ADB entry, see next footnote. 

(13) William George Torr (1853-1939) See his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by Arnold D, Hunt, here. There is  a history ot Old Oxford House in the Adelaide Advertiser of July 13, 1937, here, written on the occasion of its conversion to a Methodist Babies Home.

(14) Adelaide Register, June 16 1921, see here.

(15) Adelaide Register, September 16 1925, see here.

(16) Australian Christian Commonwealth, July 6, 1928, see here.

(17) Genealogy SA www.genealogysa.org.au

(18) Faireleight School,  established in 1870. When Isabella Henderson took over in 1910 she changed the name to Clyde. In 1920, Miss Henderson then opened a boarding school in Woodend, called it Clyde and thus the St Kilda school reverted back to the name of Faireleight. It closed in 1923. It was located at what is now 134 Alma Road, East St Kilda.

(19) Jane Sutherland (1853 - 1928) See her entry in the  Australian Dictionary of Biography, written by Frances Lindsay, here.

(20) Information about Elsie Barlow is from https://www.australian-art-gallery.com/australian-artists/Elsie-Frederica-Barlow-A375.htm This site incorrectly states that she was born in South Australia, she was actually born in Emerald Hill (South Melbourne). She had at least three other sisters born in Victoria -  Rose, Dora and Ruby. Dora, whose married name was Serle, was also an artist and  a member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (see next footnote).

(21) Peers, Juliet More than just Gumtrees: a personal, social and artistic history of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS, 1993). There are four references to Elsie in the book.

(22) There are various articles regarding Elsie Barlow and her role in establishing the Castlemaine Art Gallery - Mount Alexander Mail, August 16, 1913, see here; Young Daily Witness March 26, 1924, see here; Brisbane Courier August 28, 1926, see here; The Age, April 27, 1940, see here; 

(23) William Rowell's obituary The Age , August 22 1946, see here and the report of his retirment from the National Gallery due to ill health in The Argus, July 1, 1946, see here.