Carlo Catani meets John Wren

Carlo Catani, met many interesting people during his career at the Public Works Department, including John Wren. John Wren (1871-1953) described variously as a man of integrity or a man with a sleazy reputation; a man who was modest, charitable and concerned with freedom; and a man who observed 'the principles of commercial morality'. John Wren supported Conscription and in August 1915, he enlisted in the A.I.F at the age of 44; he was reported as saying that he regarded it as the duty of every able-bodied man, physically fit, to offer his services if he could do so (1). He also gave £500 to Albert Jacka, the first Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross in the First World War. Wren was also a supporter of the Catholic Church and Irish Independence (2). Frank Hardy portrayed Wren as John West in his 1950 novel, Power Without Glory. 

This is the story of how Carlo met John Wren. On November 22, 1913 the Richmond Racecourse, owned by John Wren, played host to one of the first motor car racing programmes in Australia. As The Herald reported this new form of sport to Australians has attracted thousands upon thousands in America, on the Continent, and in England, where skill and daring on the part of the drivers have produced thrilling contests. So expert have those engaged on Saturday already proved themselves that stirring racing is assured to those who attend. (3). 

Advertisement for the motor car racing

The Argus, November 19, 1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7281315

Thrills and excitement were promised however as The Age reported -

The danger of serious accidents in such motor car races as are to take place at Richmond racecourse on Saturday next has not escaped the attention of the Chief Secretary. Action is to be taken to minimise the danger, both to the competitors and to the spectators themselves. Yesterday Mr. Murray conferred with Mr. Sainsbury, Chief Commissioner of Police, and Mr. Catani, Chief Engineer for Public Works, with a view to determining what steps should be taken for the proper protection of the public. It was resolved that before permission should be given to conduct the races an inspection of the racecourse should be made by officers of the Public Works department, who should report to the Chief Secretary on the suitability or otherwise of the course for such an event, and the probabilities of danger to the spectators resulting from an accident to the cars. Mr. Catani and other officers will accordingly visit the racecourse to-day, and make a thorough inspection. (4).

What was the result of Mr Catani's inspection? The Herald tell us -

After a thorough Inspection by the officers of the Public Works Department the Richmond racecourse has been officially declared to be as safe and as fast as any track of its size in the world. The Chief Secretary had some doubts about the safety of the great crowd of spectators which is sure to assemble there on Saturday to watch the motor car racing, but Mr C. Catani, the Chief Engineer for Public Works, Mr M'Kenzie an expert officer of the department, and other officials, after seeing Rupert Jeffkins, the American champion, send his 120 h.p. car at world's record speed round the turns have reported favorably. More than that, Mr M'Kenzie timed Jeffkins to go at a 72-mile-an-hour speed skimming the inside rails with a precision that showed that the element of danger was very slight. (5). 

The Argus also reported in a similar manner on the course inspection - 

This was done yesterday morning when Mr C. Catani chief engineer for public works, Mr McKenzie an expert connected with the department and other officials watched Jeffkins the American champion drive his 120 h.p. car at a speed which Mr McKenzie timed as 25 seconds to the circuit. This was equal to 72 miles an hour. Jeffkins kept within a few feet of the inside rails on the turns and so satisfied the officials that they assured Mr Wren that there would not be any interference with the meeting, it being, acknowledged by the officers that a car travelling at a record speed for such a track left ample room for other cars to pace alongside without danger to the drivers of the spectators. (6).

Mr McKenzie would have been in his element at the safety trial. Duncan McKenzie was an Architect in the Public Works Department but was also one of the first men in Melbourne to own and drive a motor car, and he maintained an interest in motoring and cycling throughout his life (7). 

The races went ahead with a nineteen event programme, the headline attraction being between a three-heat match between the American, Rupert Jeffkins (8) and the Australian, Dug Campbell (9). The winner was to take home £1000.

Sadly, the day turned out to be a bit of  a fizzer, as The Argus reported -

Those who visited the Richmond racecourse on Saturday afternoon were disappointed at the display of motor racing, even though most of it was faster than that provided by the ponies. Those who went to see the racing in a state of half-pleasurable anticipation of an accident - and nearly every one of the 10,000 who attended regarded an accident as more than possible- were agreeably disappointed. Had the cars been driven at their top speed the sharp turn on the northern end of the track would have made accidents inevitable. Along the straight the heavily-engined cars were opened out, but the turns forced reduction in the speed. In one of the races, the visiting American driver, Jeffkins, declared that he had reached 68½ miles an hour, but the recorded time for the two miles was 3min. 1½sec., or a little under 40 miles an hour. The cars had no sooner got up speed in the straight than they had to slow down at the turn. Even nimble-footed ponies find it difficult to negotiate the turn at the northern end, and as the cars rounded this dangerous corner they threw up the cinders in showers against the outer fence as their back wheels skidded. (10).

Rupert Jeffkins, leading Dug Campbell at the Richmond racecourse

The Leader, November 29, 1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198377664

In the battle between Jeffkins and Campbell - 

Then came the great event of the day, but by no means the best race, the match between R. Jeffkins and Campbell for £1,000 aside. Owing to a misunderstanding Jeffkins stopped, after leading Campbell for three laps, having mistaken the last lap flag for the winning signal. Campbell, who started at 2 to 1 against, completed the course and won.... The second heat of the match race between Jeffkins and Campbell was won by Jeffkins rather easily. Heavy rain then fell and the track was pretty well soaked, and at the suggestion of Inspector Britt and Mr. D.Mackenzie (of the Public Works department)

the final of the Jeffkins Campbell race was postponed. These gentlemen declared that the track, while safe enough for high speeds when dry, would be dangerous in the state in which the rain left it, and Mr J. Wren, after some demur, accepted their decision (11). 

Did Carlo attend the Motor Car racing at Richmond on November 22, 1913?  Given that his colleague, Duncan MacKenzie was present,  it is highly likely Carlo would also there, and possibly his sons, Enrico and Ettore, to witness the display of  nerve, pluck, skill, backed by mechanical power, expert construction and speed (12). 

Trove list - a very short list of articles, relating to the motor car race, held November 22, 1913, and the role of Carlo Catani in inspecting the course, can be accessed here.

Footnotes

(1) Weekly Times, August 14, 1915, see here.

(2) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry by James Griffin 

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wren-john-9198 

(3) The Herald, November 19, 1913, see here.

(4) The Age, November 18, 1913, see here.

(5) The Herald, November 19, 1913, see here.

(6) The Argus, November 19, 1913, see here.

(7) The Age, April 16, 1938, see here.

(8) Rupert Jeffkins - photo and a  list of his achievements The Herald, November 19, 1913, see here.

(9) Dug Campbell  - short biography - Table Talk, November 20, 1913, see here.

(10) The Argus, November 24, 1913, see here.

(11) Ibid

(12) The Argus, November 19, 1913, see here.

Bridge at Gilbert's Ford, Middle Creek, Yinnar

Carlo Catani was involved with the construction of many bridges in the State and he had a small role in the eventual building of a bridge across Middle Creek at Gilbert's Ford in Yinnar, in Gippsland. 

The community had been agitating for this bridge for some time as the ford was dangerous. In 1898 the Morwell Council had applied for money for the bridge but had been unsuccessful (1). 

A report in the Morwell Advertiser in August 1899 noted the danger the ford presented -
On Tuesday evening, last week, Mr. J. Cahill, of Jumbuck, and a man who was working for him, narrowly escaped being drowned. It appears they were returning from work both mounted on a heavy draught horse. All went well till they reached Gilbert's Ford across Middle Creek, which, in consequence of the recent heavy rains, was running a banker. At one side of the ford a large log is lying in the creek and the force of the water running underneath has excavated a large hole, and whilst crossing the ford the horse Cahill and his man were riding, fell into the hole and threw both men over the log into the current. Cahill, with much difficulty, managed to reach the bank in an exhausted state, after being carried down the stream about three chains. His man, however, was carried about eight 
chains down, and just when he thought it was "all up," or rather "all down" with him, he managed to lay hold of some support and eventually reached the bank in safety, but exhausted and bruised. This is the same spot where Mr. W. Tulloch met with an accident about two years ago, when his horse and hearse were stranded in the creek, the former being drowned whilst the latter remained under water for two days. Other accidents have also occurred at the same place, and it is quite evident a bridge is urgently required to replace the ford, which is very dangerous, and most unsafe for crossing when the creek is high, and it is to be hoped the local shire council will consider the matter at an early date and get their engineer to report on the matter before any lives are lost (2).

In July 1900, it was reported that for some time past the local council have been endeavouring to impress upon the Public Works Department the urgent necessity of having a bridge erected at Gilbert's ford, and other necessary work carried out immediately, and brought such pressure to bear, that Messrs Catani, engineer for Public Works, and Reed, Surveyor-General, visited Morwell yesterday (3). 

Morwell, c. 1890 - it would have looked much the same when Carlo visited in July 1900

Photographer: W.H. Ferguson. State Library of Victoria Image H85.162/2

The Morwell Advertiser reported on this visit of Carlo and Joseph Reed, and started with a description of Gilbert's Ford -
"Gilbert's ford" is becoming quite famous, and if its whole history was written it would certainly be interesting as well as exciting, and if a verbatim report of what Mr. Bryson and others have said regarding it was included, its history would be most thrilling. This ford, known as Gilbert's, is one across Middle Creek, between Messrs Walker's and Bryson's properties, and directly in front of Mr A. Gilbert's gate, about ten miles from Morwell, and five from Yinnar. When the creek is in a normal state the water at the ford is about half a chain in width and shallow, but being at the foot of a range of hills the water comes down in a body after heavy rain, and in the space of an hour or two the water will rise from a depth of 18 inches to nearly as many feet, making it quite impassable for traffic, and in consequence suppliers to the Middle Creek creamery have been unable to deliver their milk for several days, being completely cut  off.

The report continues -
The matter was repeatedly brought under the notice of the local shire council who recognised that a bridge was necessary. Steps were taken to have the work placed among the first and most urgent works so be carried out under the Special Grant, but for some reason or other the Public Works department "wiped it out." The people interested were naturally much disappointed whilst the council were indignant and eventually brought such pressure to bear that Mr. Catani, engineer for public works and Mr. Reid, Surveyor-general, visited Morwell on Thursday last week, and in company with the council, were driven out to the ford in P. Dunbar's drag (4). 

Because this is a blog devoted to Carlo, I will reproduce some more of the report, which mentions him by name, even though it is not strictly relevant to this story - 

Messrs Catani and Reid arrived by the mid-day train, and at 1 o'clock a start was made for the ford. The route taken was along the ridge to the Hazelwood Cemetery, where a road to the left leading to Billy's Creek was taken. The visitors were so taken up with maps, plans, etc, that they did not notice the scenery whilst travelling along the ridge. They, however, "pricked up their ears" when they reached Mac's flats. The road between Macmillans' properties is in a bad state and Mr. Catani remarked that poor land made the best roads. They then began to admire the flats and made several inquiries as to what would be a fair rental. Someone mentioned there was a rumor that the flats were to be cut up into small holdings and the land would be worth something between 10s and £1 per acre, Mr. Catani referred to rents that were paid in the Western district, and thought anything under £1 would not be out of the way. One councillor remarked that he was getting 12/9 an acre rent for similar land. 

Mr. Catani drew attention to the fact that the banks of the creek were higher than the land a couple of chain away. This was accounted for by the wash in flood time remaining on the bank, and a councillor stated that by putting sand-bags in the creek, the whole of the adjacent flats could be irrigated. Soon after, a farm house was passed, and Mr. Catani said "I'll bet you that is a rented place, you can always tell them. Buildings are allowed to go to wreck and other matters neglected." A councillor said Mr. Catani was correct, and that the place was let (5).

When the party arrived at the ford - Mr. Catani was not long in "grasping the situation," and as soon as he saw the place said "you shall have a bridge here," and then pointed out the spot where the bridge should be placed. Of course this satisfied the council, and Mr. Gilbert's satisfaction was likewise expressed upon his face (6). The party then continued on to Yinnar  for other inspections and then Carlo and Mr Reed boarded the train at Yinnar, which took them to Morwell, from where they returned to Melbourne, 

You would think the recommendation for the bridge by Carlo, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, would be enough for the work to be funded and started immediately, however in October 1899, members of the community had to bring the matter up with the Council again and it was reported that Messrs A. Gilbert, Bryson, Heesom and Walker waited on the council in connection with having a bridge erected across Middle Creek, at the place known as Gilbert's Ford (7). 

Or as the Morwell Advertiser reported the summer came and went and so did winter, during which the same old trouble had to be faced by the residents. When the last allocation was applied for it was placed on the list as one of the most urgent, but the recommendation of the council was simply ignored and when the list was returned "Gilbert's bridge" was not among the works to be carried out (8). 

In October 1901 a deputation from the Morwell Shire met with the Minister for Public Works and they represented the case in such an able and forcible manner that, we are glad to learn, it had the desired effect, and money has now been set aside for the erection of bridge referred to (9). The money became available in early 1902 (10). 

Middle Creek in flood, June 11, 1909. Photographer: Martin Walker.

Image: Gippsland and Regional Studies Collection, Federation University

http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/80866

A tender was advertised in February that year for a Timber Pile Bridge at Gilbert's, Middle Creek. It was re-advertised  in March (11) and the bridge was built, but I have no information about when it was constructed.  

Sadly, in June 1909 in the worst floods in 16 years, four bridges on Middle Creek, including the one at Gilbert's Ford was washed away (12). The community not only lost their bridges but the old ford, used before the bridge was erected, is covered with debris, and the Messrs Gilbert Bros., and others on the same side have to go by way of Whitelaw's Track to reach Yinnar (13). The ford was eventually cleared, but it does not appear that the road bridge was rebuilt.  

Debris in Middle Creek after the June 1909 flood. Photographer: Martin Walker.

Image: Gippsland and Regional Studies Collection, Federation University

http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/80745

However, in 1917 the Morwell Shire Engineer prepared specifications, etc.for a timber foot bridge over the Middle Creek, near Gilbert's Ford (14). Fifteen years later, in November 1932, the Council moved a motion that an application be made to the Country Roads Board for  a grant for a bridge with concrete piers and timber top  to be erected at the ford (15); in March 1934, a motion at a Council meeting was moved to ask the Country Roads Board to inspect the proposed bridge site across Middle Creek now known as Gilbert's ford (16). 

A year later, in  March 1935, the Council received a letter from James Gamble and A. C. Gilbert asking for a bridge at the Middle Creek Ford owing to danger and inconvenience, also asking for repairs to footbridge (17).  This was referred to Country Roads Board (CRB) and they responding promising an inspection of Gilbert's Ford. The visit was reported in May 1935 and the visit produced the good news that they [the CRB] were prepared to allocate portion of the money for a bridge, provided the Council and the settlers contribute portion of the cost (18). In the June the CRB approved the plans and specifications for the bridge and gave the Council permission to commence the works (19). 

Again  I have no information as to when the bridge was opened, but the local residents must have been overjoyed to once again have a bridge at Gilbert's Ford. There is a small reserve near the bridge, originally called Yinnar South Reserve, but now known as Martin Walker Reserve. Martin Walker was a farmer at Yinnar South and a Morwell Shire Councillor for many years from 1924 until the 1970s. He died in 1977, aged 85.  He was also a photographer and some of his photographs are at the State Library and some at the Gippsland and Regional Studies collection at Federation University at Churchill. Two are shown in this post. (20). 

Acknowledgment - The photographs by Martin Walker in this post were found on the Gippsland History Facebook page, see here, posted by the Friends of the Gippsland and Regional Studies Collection Facebook group, see here. The information on Martin Walker was also from the Gippsland History Facebook page, see footnote 20. 

Trove list - I have created a list of newspaper articles on the bridge at Gilbert's Ford, access it here. 

Footnotes 

(1) Morwell Advertiser, January 10, 1902, see here. 

(2) Morwell Advertiser, August 25, 1899, see here. 

(3) Morwell Advertiser, July 27, 1900, see here.

(4) Morwell Advertiser, August 3, 1900, see here.

(5) Ibid

(6) Ibid

(7) Morwell Advertiser, October 13, 1899, see here. 

(8) Morwell Advertiser, January 10, 1902, see here. 

(9) Ibid

(10) Ibid

(11) Morwell Advertiser, February 14, 1902, see here;  Morwell Advertiser, March 21, 1902, see here. 

(12) Morwell Advertiser, June 18, 1909, see here. 

(13) Ibid

(14) Gippsland and Mirboo Times, April 5, 1917, see here. 

(15) Morwell Advertiser, November 17, 1932, see here. 

(16) Morwell Advertiser, March 22, 1934, see here.

(17) Morwell Advertiser, March 21, 1935, see here. 

(18) Morwell Advertiser, May 23, 1935, see here. 

(19) Morwell Advertiser, June 20, 1935, see here.

(20) Information on Martin Walker from a post on the Gippsland History Facebook site, by Helen Martin, posted April 14, 2020. 

Carlo displays an ignorance of the value of Red Gums

The Age newspaper reported on June 22, 1899 that the Forest Commission met yesterday morning for the purpose of taking evidence upon several matters recently brought under consideration.  At this meeting -
Mr. Carlo Catani, Engineer of Roads and Bridges, in the Public Works department, was examined concerning the work of constructing levees, which is being carried out on the banks, of the Goulburn River. The work now in progress, he said, extended 40 miles along one side of the river, and would cost about £5000. The work would greatly enhance the value of land in the vicinity, as it would protect it from floods. He admitted that there was a probability that a forest of red gums  - a tree that requires periodical inundation to live -  would be destroyed, but did not think that in any case the timber there was particularly valuable. Red gum timber was but little used for building bridges, although useful for sleepers and paving blocks.

The Chairman: What puzzles us is why the public first should he called upon for £38,000 to improve private owners' property.

Mr. Catani said that there were at least 20,000 acres of land which, at present, would not fetch £1 an acre, even if 20 years were given in which to pay. it. After the completion of the levees the land could be sold for £3 per acre. A written offer had been made some two years ago to buy the whole of the land protected by the Cobram levee at £2 10/ per acre. The work was to be carried out by workmen recruited from the ranks of the unemployed. The unemployed had become quite an institution.

Mr. Ham: Yes; a Government Institution.

Mr. Catani: Well, every year £5000 or £6,000 has to be spent as a sop to the unemployed. (Laughter.) This work was intended to relieve the hard times of these people.

It was decided that the commission should pay a visit of inspection to the works as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made.

Red Gums, Dandenong, pre 1954, some of the many red gums growing 

south of the Dividing Range (see letter below) 

Photographer: Archibald G. Campbell (1880-1954). Coloured lantern slide. 

Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1449231

This was the end of the matter for Carlo on that day at the Forestry Commission meeting. However, a reader of The Age report took umbrage at  Carlo's comments on red gums and wrote a letter to the Editor of that paper, which they published under the heading of - Is it ignorance or what?

Sir, -  Mr. Catani, engineer of roads, &c., is reported in your issue of this morning as having stated before the Forest Commission "That the red gum is a tree that requires periodical inundation to live." This statement is so contrary to the fact that, coming from such a quarter, it needs contradiction. The truth is that south of the Dividing Range scarcely any red gum grows subject to the conditions referred to, and the large supplies used in Melbourne and suburbs are mainly drawn from forests absolutely incapable of being inundated. He further implies that the timber referred to is not of great value, yet what a different tale the timber merchants of Melbourne tell. I should not have referred to the matter but the ignorance displayed in certain quarters about our native timber is lamentable, and doubtless accounts for the ruthless destruction which is constantly going on of our most valuable native trees.  Yours. &c.,  RED GUM. 22nd June.

A rare public rebuke to Carlo.

Sources
The Age, June 22, 1899, see here.
The Age, June 24, 1899, see here

Carlo and the bridge over the Glenelg River at Casterton

In October 1897, The Argus reported that

Application having been made by the Glenelg Shire Council to the Public Works department for a subsidy towards the erection of a new bridge over the Glenelg at Casterton, Mr Catani, chief engineer to the department, inspected the bridge on Tuesday morning, in company with the president and engineer of the Glenelg shire. The traffic over the bridge is of intercolonial importance. The old bridge has been condemned for heavy traffic for some time past. The estimated cost of a new bridge is about £1800. (1). 

The next day The Age also reported on the matter - 
Mr. Catani, engineer of roads and bridges connected with the Public Works department, visited Casterton to-day for the purpose of making an official inspection of the bridge over the Glenelg which it is proposed to replace this season by a new structure. Plans recently prepared by the shire engineer were submitted to Mr. Catani, who seemed impressed with the urgent need for the work. The patching up of the old bridge has been going on for years, and for some time past it has been regarded as so insecure that notice boards have been posted on each end warning carriers against crossing with loads exceeding four tons. (2). 

At the Glenelg Shire Council meeting of November 19, 1897, the motion was passed to call for tenders for the new bridge (3) and at the December meeting it was reported that five tenders were received...and that of Burgess and Sons, of Digby, £1135, was accepted (4). 

A month later in January 1898 the Shire Engineer, William Henry Scott (5) reported to the Council meeting that -
A consignment of piles for the new bridge at Casterton had been delivered, and it was expected that work would be commenced within about 10 days (6). The Age noted that on February 14,  the first pile of the new bridge over the Glenelg River at Casterton was driven today by the contractors, Messrs. Burgess and Sons. (7).

In mid-April, the Hamilton Spectator, had this update the contractor for the new bridge over the Glenelg is making fair progress, but is hampered by the difficultly of obtaining the necessary teams to deliver the big timber. The long drought has helped them considerably, and the hope to have the heaviest portion of the work completed before the river begins to run (8).

The bridge was completed towards the end of June and officially opened on July 7, 1898 by the wife of the Shire Engineer, Mrs Scott and after the opening ceremony the President will entertain his colleagues and the contractors at a dinner at Mrs. Schofields hotel (9). The Weekly Times reported that a public demonstration was held to celebrate the event (10), by which I presume they mean a celebration and not a protest.

The Casteron Bridge, the plans of which had been approved by Carlo Catani.

The building is the Bridge Inn, there is more about this hotel, below.

Photographer: Rose Stereographic Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/2820

In 1918, the bridge was twenty years old and it was re-decked -
The work of re-decking the bridge over the Glenelg at Casterton, which had been in progress for about five weeks, was completed yesterday. The re-decking of the bridge involved the taking up of 2,000 feet of old timber, and replacing it with a like quantity of now stringy bark planks 8in. x 4½in., and the work of removal and replacing was necessarily delayed through it being carried on with-out interruption of traffic over the bridge, which on the contrary frequently interrupted the re-decking operations. An excellent job has been made, by the men engaged, with Mr J. Davis as foreman, acting under supervision of the Shire Engineer (Mr F. A. Wilson), and it is gratifying to learn that it was found in connection with the re-decking work, that the beams, piles, and other wood-work of the main structure were thoroughly sound, and apparently in as good condition as when the bridge was erected nearly 20 years ago, under, direction of a former Shire Engineer, Mr W. H. Scott. The new deck provides smooth going for traffic, and it is expected that it will, like its predecessor, stand for about 20 year's wear. The cost has not yet been fully computed, but is expected to be below the Engineer's estimate.(11).

This was the third bridge over the Gleneng River at Casterton - the first one was a low-level structure, known as Kirby's bridge, built in the 1850s. The second bridge was built in 1867, a high-level bridge down stream from Kirby's Bridge. The 1898 bridge was replaced in1937 by a concrete bridge, opened by the Governor of Victoria, Lord Huntingford, on December 2, 1937. On the same day, Lady Huntingfield opened the remodelled Hospital at Casterton (12).

On a side note - the photograph, above, shows Mohr's Bridge Inn. Samuel and Myrtle Isabel Mohr are both listed in the Electoral rolls at Casterton as hotelkeepers from 1914 until 1919. In October 1919, the Bridge Inn closed as it had been deprived of its license at a Licences Reduction Board hearing, because it was considered not necessary for the convenience of the public or the requirements of the locality (13).  The owner was compensated £735 and the licensee £150. The building was reported to have been sold for removal (14). As a matter of interest the Hamilton Spectator reported in July 1898 - The will of James Doyle, late of Carapook, farmer, has been filed. The estate is valued at £8641, which is left to the widow for life, and to be distributed amongst the children subsequently. There is a special clause in the will instructing his executors to sell his property, the Bridge Inn at Casterton, as he did not wish any of his children to engage in the trade of a publican (15). 

And so ends the story of the only connection I can find between Carlo and the town of Casterton.

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on the 1897 bridge at Casterton and the Bridge Inn, access it here. 

Footnotes
(1) The Argus, October 20, 1897, see here.

(2) The Age, October 21, 1897, see here.

(3) Hamilton Spectator, November 20, 1897, see here.

(4) The Age, December 17, 1897, see here.

(5) William Henry Scott, Glenelg Shire Engineer from March 1892 until June 1909.  His wife, who officially opened the bridge was Marion Louisa Balfour Scott (nee Wilson). After leaving Casterton they moved to Gisborne Street in Elsternwick. William died August 14, 1919 aged 80 and Marion died October 20, 1924 aged 82.They are buried at Brighton Cemetery. 

Information about his service at the Glenelg Shire from Shire of Glenelg Centenary 1863-1963:One hundred years of progress (Glenelg Shire, 1963)

(6) Hamilton Spectator, January 20, 1898, see here.

(7) The Age, February 15, 1898, see here.

(8) Hamilton Spectator, April 19, 1898, see here.

(9) Hamilton Spectator, June 30, 1898, see here.

(10) Weekly Times, July 16, 1898, see here.

(11) Casteron News, January 17, 1918, see here.

(12) Information of the earlier bridges is from  Shire of Glenelg Centenary 1863-1963:One hundred years of progress (Glenelg Shire, 1963), p. 19.

Report of the opening of the 1937 and the visit of Lord and Lady Huntingfield to Casterton is from The Argus, December 3, 1937, see here.

(13) The Age, March 18, 1919, see here. 

(14) The Age, October 2, 1919, see here.

(15) Hamilton Spectator, July 12, 1898, see here.

Catani Memorial Clock Tower in photographs

The Memorial Clock Tower to Carlo Catani was unveiled on August 22, 1932  and it had become a landmark in St Kilda and the subject of many photographs and postcards, some of which you can see here. For a history of the Clock Tower and an account of the unveiling, see here.

Many of these images are Rose Stereographic Co. images, and date from the 1930s to the 1960s.

At the foot of the clocktower was a bust of Carlo, by Paul Mountford, and this is the only historic photograph, I have found of it. 

In Honor of Carlo Catani. St. Kilda, Upper Esplanade, Base of Clock Tower.

Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners, 

Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 8357/P0001/61, Photograph [037]

Catani Clock Tower, St Kilda.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/4600

Catani Memorial Clock Tower and Esplanade, St Kilda.

Photographer: Valentine Publishing. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8945

St Kilda Esplanade, 1950. Photographer: Mark Strizic.

State Library of Victoria Image H2008.11/2162

The Gardens and Esplanade, St Kilda.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/6786

The Catani Clock Tower, St Kilda

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/5664

The Beach, near Baths, St Kilda. 

Love the bikes, this looks like the 1960s. 

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image  H32492/6941

Crowds on the Beach, St Kilda.
Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image  H32492/4913

Crowds on the Beach, St Kilda, same name as above.
Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image  H32492/3404

A view on the Beach, St Kilda
Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image  H32492/6780

The Beach and the Baths, St Kilda.

An almost identical view to the postcard, above.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image  H32492/5591

The Lower Esplanade, St Kilda

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/3635

Lower Esplanade and Lawns, St Kilda

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8166

Upper and Lower Esplanade from St Kilda Yacht Club

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/2936

The Upper and Lower Esplanades St Kilda. 

Taken from the St Kilda Yacht Club, like the one above.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8168

View from the Pier, St Kilda

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/6783

The Beach and Catani Clock, St Kilda. 

An almost identical view as the above.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8945

The Beach, St Kilda. 

Another view from the Pier.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8208

Posthumous tributes to Carlo

Carlo was a man admired by many people throughout Victoria and there were numerous tributes paid to him when he was alive and you can read some of them here. The tributes did not stop after his death on July 20, 1918, and this post records some of them. 

Mr Catani had a long and distinguished career in the Public Works Department as an engineer of high attainments. To his energy and enthusiasm the development of many of the popular mountain tourist resorts and beauty spots of Victoria are due, notably Mount Buffalo. He also took a keen interest in the welfare of the people in the back-blocks, and the residents of Dargo and South and East Gippsland will always remember the sympathetic manner in which he supported their requirements.
Gippsland Mercury, July 23, 1918, see here. Obituary of Carlo.

He was highly esteemed and a clever engineer, who took great interest in public improvements.
Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 24, 1918, see here. Obituary of Carlo.

Mr. Catani was a member of the St. Kilda Foreshore Committee, and the magnificent decorative work that has been effected along the frontage must be ascribed to his exceptional skill as an engineer, and one well versed in the art of beautification and landscape gardening. Always courteous and unassuming, the deceased gentleman was extremely popular in public and private life, and by his kindly disposition he had formed very many life long friendships.
Prahran Chronicle, July 27, 1918, see here. Obituary of Carlo.

At the Avon Shire Council meeting on Monday, Cr. Riggall feelingly referred to the death of the late Mr. Catani, who had shown much sympathy towards people living out-back. They all recognised the worth of Mr. Catani, who was unfortunate to lose a son in the war. He had, with the Avon Shire councillors, attended the opening of the Dargo road, and on many occasions had shown sympathy with the Dargo people. He (Cr. Riggall) moved that the council express its regret at the death of Mr. Catani, and that a letter of condolence be forwarded to his family. In seconding the motion, which was
unanimously carried, Cr. Carter stated that it was on his motion that a motion had been passed expressing appreciation of Mr. Catani's services on his retirement from the Public Works Department. Since he had entered the council he had been acquainted with the deceased, who was universally respected. He had proved a good officer, his sympathies always being with the settlers who laboured under disabilities.

Gippsland Times, August 1, 1918, see here.

Cr. Barnett said they could not get away from the fact that Mr. Catani overworked himself. He was an enthusiast who evoked enthusiasm. He was a practical man but there was poetry in all that he did.
(Cr. Love) had to admit that Mr. Catani had beautified St. Kilda until it was the envy of the Commonwealth.
Prahran Telegraph, August 3, 1918, see here. References to Carlo Catani at the St Kilda Council meeting held July 29, 1918. 

The beauty of the foreshore will ever remain as a bouquet to the memory of a good man who loved his art, and who was, at the time of his death perhaps the finest landscape gardener in Australia, though he was of such high standing as an engineer and surveyor.
The Prahran Telegraph, October 11,  1919, see here. Article about St Kilda Foreshore improvements.

This work was carried out under the immediate supervision of Carlo Catani whose work in the improvements of the River Yarra are a lasting monument to his memory.
Daily Commercial News and Shipping List, September 13, 1922, see here. Report of an address, by Gerald Wilkinson Mitchell,  to the Institute of Engineers in Sydney, referring to the Anderson Street Bridge. 

And satisfied with a first view of Buffalo as a tourists' home and pleasure place, one should turn a thought to the man who largely created it, and whose enthusiasms were never chilled by red tape or routine - the late Mr. Catani. The mountain lake has been named in his honour, but the whole place is the memorial of the kindly, lovable, Italian gentleman who was, above all things the man of vision and of action.
The Argus, December 2, 1922,  see here. The Crest Of Buffalo by Donald MacDonald. 

I have mentioned Lake Catani, another memorial to the man of vision who did so much for the conquest of the Buffalo to the everlasting gain of tourists and view finders, not to mention the merry skaters, who find there alone in the heart of winter a hit of Norway or Switzerland artificially created for their benefit.
The Argus, December 9, 1922, see here. Mountain of Silver Blue by Donald McDonald. 

Skating on Lake Catani. 

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H93.456/27

The dream of the late Mr. Catani, the landscape engineer with a vision of beauty, will then become a reality.

Prahran Telegraph, December 15, 1922, see here  Article about St Kilda Foreshore improvements.

Our foreshore should be made into a dream of beauty. This was the vision of the late Mr. Catani, who realized vividly that our coast from Port Melbourne to Portsea with small outlay and artistic direction could be made to rival the famed Riviera.
The Herald, November 24, 1925, see here. Article about St Kilda Foreshore improvements.

Mr. Catani's work, however, included much more for which the citizens of Melbourne owe him gratitude especially as the work they know best was done as a labour of love and not as part of his official duties.....It will be admitted by the suburban municipalities that it was the work done by him that gave the lead to the movement that has resulted in the establishment of beauty spots throughout the metropolitan area.
The Argus, January 4, 1926, see here. Beautifying Melbourne: our debt to Mr Catani, maker of playgrounds.

[Sale] At the recent council meeting the Mayor (Cr. T. M. Cullinan) reported that some tourists had been chopping the willow trees that were growing on the river banks in the reserve, which, he said, was a scandalous thing. It was on the suggestion of the late Mr. Catani that the willow trees and couch grass were planted on the river bank to prevent erosion. For sentimental reasons the vandalism was to be deplored for Mr. Catani was the greatest man the Public Works department ever had.

Bairnsdale Advertiser, January 29, 1926, see here. 

Mr. Catani, for many years an engineer in the service of the Public Works Department, was the originator of the masterly and beauteous ornamentation scenes that now adorn the St. Kilda foreshore. The greater part of it, indeed, was completed under his personal supervision, and, day by day as time goes on, Nature is doing its part in adding to the glory of the resplendent effects produced. In other parts of the State, too, Mr. Catani originated and carried out engineering works of skill that stamps him as a man of exceptional ability vision and judgment. What he achieved during his career will for ever prove valuable assets to the State. By reason of the great work he did for St. Kilda, the people of that city will always hold the name of Mr. Catani in respectful reverence.
Prahran Telegraph, June 11, 1926, see here. Article on a proposed memorial for Carlo.

Mr. Catani, one of the best engineers the Victorian Government has employed. 
Sunshine Advocate, August 21, 1926, see here. Report of a speech of Cr George McKay, Braybrook Shire.  

The river would present no difficulties to navigation in America, for the great scheme of that man of  vision, Mr. Catani, would have been long adopted, and four locks above the Johnston Street Bridge would have overcome the trifling difficulties of Dight's Falls and the rapids. This name of Mr. Catani stands out in the history of the metropolis as a man of imagination and foresight. He saw the possibilities of the city waterway, and of the Yarra Valley to which it led, in all its loveliness. He planned a boulevard to Heidelberg, and the sections now constructed from Alphington to Heidelberg are part of his plan. This did not stop with roads, however. He visioned a great waterway for pleasure craft for the length of the river, so that craft could sail from the hot city to the cool valley of Heidelberg. He proposed the acquirement of small parks and picnic grounds at intervals, so that travellers could be refreshed before they turned for home. That was in 1909....

The Herald, November 27 1926, see here. Report of a speech by S. Tuxen of the Town Planning Commission. ‘

Above Dight's Falls I see in prospect the fulfilment of Catani’s dream of a noble lake, set in park lands.
The Herald, November 12,  1927, see here. Article by the  Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Stephen Morell. 

I took part with him in starting the St.Kilda Foreshore Trust. I did the legal, literary, and financial part of the job and he, a landscape genius, if there ever was one, the engineering work, together with the beautification. What a man! His monuments are everywhere - at Buffalo, the Alexandra Gardens, St.Kilda, Donna Buang. As place-maker to the municipalities he is responsible for much beautification they subsequently put in hand. His reclamation work at Koo-wee-rup and at Carrum has added wealth to our country. He saw possibilities to which others were blind. It is well that his works are his memorials.
The Herald, February 4, 1928, see here.  Fifty Years In Public Life by H.O. Allen. 

The late Mr. Catani had been a public servant of long vision, and the beauty of the St. Kilda foreshore to-day was largely due to his efforts.
Prahran Telegraph, February 15, 1929, see here.  

… the poetical charm of the Italian Renaissance style may be regarded as being expressive of the virile life of this great man and his aesthetic aspiration.
The Building: the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant, Vol. 46 No. 276 (12 August 1930), see here.  Catani Memorial Tower: a review of the Competitive Designs. 

The excellent work that is often done without flourish of trumpets by public servants was again stressed when recently a memorial tablet was unveiled at Mount Buffalo to "Carlo Catani, Chief Engineer of Public Works, 1910-1917." The Minister for Public Works said that probably to no other individual was so much credit due for the opening up and development of such tourist resorts as Mount Buffalo, the Grampians, Mt. Donna Buang and the War burton, Healesville and Marysville districts.

The Australian Worker, November 12, 1930, see here. 

Mr. Catani possessed constructive imagination, and if he was apt to underestimate the cost of some of his schemes, he had the vision of a true civic idealist.
The Age, December 31, 1931, see here. Article on the Yarra Boulevard. 

More than 25 years ago it was dreamed by a great Victorian, Carlo Catani, Engineer for Public Works, whose public service today is a tradition and behind whose engineering brain lay the perceptions of a great artist.
The Herald, September 4, 1937, see here. Article on the Yarra Boulevard. 

Alexandra Avenue, whose shadowed and dappled beauty…must stand, while the City of Melbourne endures, as a lasting monument to the genius, foresight, and pertinacity of Carlo Catani.
The Argus, November 13,  1937, see here. Great Thoroughfares of the World.  

Catani has a gift for beautifying. He was one of those individuals who could dream of wonderful schemes and then apply the realism necessary to put them into effect. He was a small and wiry man with unparalleled enthusiasm for his work.
The Age, May 17, 1947, see here.  Article on Carlo, Ettore Checchi and Guido Baracchi.

Acknowledgement: I found some of these tributes by trawling through the newspapers on Trove, however I got many of them from my fellow Carlo researcher, Isaac Hermann. Thank you again, Isaac.

Richard Fiddes Brown (1876-1936)

Carlo Catani retired from the Public Works Department on April 28, 1917, the day he turned 65. Subsequently on May 9, at the Lands Department,  Sir Alex Peacock, Premier of Victoria, presented Carlo with a magnificent illuminated address as a token of our pleasant association with you. The illuminated address was the work of Richard Fiddes Brown, of Messrs. Mason, Firth & McCutcheon, a printing, lithography and publishing firm, established in the 1870s (1).  

The illuminated address, which is now held by the State Library of Victoria, was bound in morocco leather and had the signatures of the Premier, members of the Cabinet, heads of all departments, and officers of the Public Works Department. There were also views of  the Governments’ Public Offices at 2 Treasury Place, where Catani was based and views  of some of his major projects and sites: Alexandra Avenue, the Yarra River Improvements, Eurobin Falls, and Lake Catani. 

Carlo Catani's Illuminated farewell address  - the work of Richard Fiddes Brown.

State Library of Victoria Manuscripts collection. Image: Isaac Hermann.

Carlo Catani's Illuminated farewell address - the signatures of the Politicians

 and Public Servants.

State Library of Victoria Manuscripts collection. Image: Isaac Hermann.

Carlo Catani's Illuminated farewell address  - the work of Richard Fiddes Brown. 

Illustrations depict - Governments’ Public Offices at 2 Treasury Place,  Alexandra Avenue and the Yarra River,  Eurobin Falls and Lake Catani. 

State Library of Victoria Manuscripts collection. Image: Isaac Hermann.

It was, perhaps, no coincidence that this firm produced the farewell address as the manager of the firm, Robert George McCutcheon, knew Carlo Catani. McCutcheon was the member of the Legislative Assembly for the seat of St Kilda from 1902 until 1917, and he, along with Carlo, were among the original members of the St Kilda Fore Shore Committee, established in 1906 (2). At a St Kilda Council meeting in May 1917, the Council expressed their appreciation to the recently retired Carlo for his service to St Kilda and the State of Victoria. Both Carlo and Robert McCutcheon were invited guests at the meeting and it was reported that -

Mr. McCutcheon said he was extremely sorry that Mr. Catani had resigned from the public service. He had given magnificent service to the State, and during his long career in the Public Service he had gained the good-will and esteem of all with whom he had come in contact (3).

Richard Fiddes Brown, the talented artist, was born on April 5, 1876 in Oxley near Wangaratta in 1876. He was the third child of  Robert Brown and Dorothy Anne Fiddes, who had married on January 19, 1873. He had six brothers and three sisters. We can track the location of the family from the birth places of the children; Robert Brown was an engine driver, presumably with the Victorian Railways, which may explain why they moved around so much. The next child after Richard was born in Barnawartha;  the following three in Malmsbury from 1880 to 1884; and the last three were born in Richmond from 1887 to 1893. It is therefore likely that Richard attended school in Malmsbury and finished his schooling in Richmond. He possibly then started an apprenticeship with Mason, Firth & McCutcheon or a similar firm (4). 

Richard was married to Florence Edith Brown on November 18, 1902 at St Johns Church of England, which was in La Trobe Street, Melbourne by the Reverend Cadwalader Pierce Thomas.  Flora was 29 years old, born in Sydney and the daughter of Charles and Mary (nee Orkney) Brown.  Their daughter Marjorie Fiddes Brown was born in 1904 in Brunswick and a son Stewart Fiddes Brown in 1906 in South Melbourne. The 1913 to 1919 Electoral Rolls show the family were living in Northcote; during the 1920s they were in Canterbury and in the 1930s in Camberwell. In spite of the fact that he was clearly a skilled artist, his occupation throughout the years was that of a traveller (salesman). (5)

The first reference I can find to Richard's community activities is in 1902 when he was listed as the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the local M.H.R, James Hume Cook, who as a member of the Protectionist Party, represented the Bourke Electorate from 1901 until 1910.  Hume Cook had previously been a member of the Legislative Assembly in Victoria from 1894 until 1900 and was also a president of the Australian Natives' Association (A.N.A.) (6). Fiddes Brown was one of  Hume Cook's groomsmen when he married Miss Nellie Maine at the Brunswick Presbyterian Church in March 1902. One of Nellie's bridesmaid was Florence Brown, the future wife of Fiddes Brown. I wonder did they know each before they were both members of  the wedding party or is that how they met? A notable guest at the Hume Cook wedding was the Prime Minister,  Edmund Barton. (7).

Fiddes Brown shared with Hume Cook an involvement with the A.N.A.  The A.N.A was a Friendly Society, established in Victoria in 1871, and open to Australian born or 'native' men to promote and protect Australian interests, to promote the social and intellectual improvement of members and to provide medical benefits - such as the attendance of a Doctor when required, sick pay when ill and death benefits to the wife on the death of a member. It also banned any discussion of religion or an allusion calculated to excite sectarian feeling (8).

J.E. Menadue, in his history of the A.N.A., (9)  notes Fiddes Brown's involvement as -
a member of the Brunswick Branch and was Assistant Secretary and President of the Branch. He was Chairman of the Metropolitan Committee in 1917 and 1918. It was the first time anyone had been Chairman for the second time. He was also a member of the Board of Directors (1917-1919) and a delegate to Annual Conference for 15 years.

Menadue also lists another achievement of Fiddes Brown -
[to him] goes the honour that as a result of an interview with Mr F. Tate, Director of Education, Victoria it was decided that the Australian Flag, and not the Union Jack, was to be saluted at Australian ceremonies.

Richard Fiddes Brown, on his election to the President of the Working Men's College

The Herald, January 27, 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242461917

In January 1915, Fiddes Brown, was elected as the Vice-President of the Working Men's College (later to become the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) and two years later he was appointed the President (10).1917 was indeed a busy time for Fiddes Brown as The Herald noted -
As president of the Working Men's College Council for 1917 and chairman of the Metropolitan Board of the Australian Natives' Association, Mr. Brown's spare time this year will be well occupied. (11). Added to these roles was the creation of Carlo's illuminated retirement address, presented in the May.

Fiddes Brown clearly had an interest in Technical education and in August 1917 he presented a lecture on the subject at the Glen Huntly Hall. Some of the more interesting parts of his speech are transcribed here (you can read his full speech in the Cheltenham Seaside News, here)
Technical education, he said, was one of the most important questions of the day.... In Victoria there is no systematic method of finding out what calling a lad is adapted for, and the worst instance of improper selection is found to be in the parents themselves. In giving examples of this, he referred to five callers recently at the Working Men's College. Each parent wanted his boy to be an Electrical engineer or a mechanical engineer. In many instances owing to faulty selections, boys are being put to trades for which they are unsuitable, and frequently after two years work it is found that the boy's time, and the parents money had been wasted.

When the war was over they would have a hard trade war, and workmen could not compete unless they attended technical schools and were given the necessary training. New South Wales were spending £2,500,000 on education, whilst Victoria spent £1,500,000. Mention had been made of an effort to secure a technical  school in Caulfield, and he would, urge that a site be selected which would permit of room for expansion. It is absolutely essential that the land be sufficiently large to provide for additions, as taking the other suburbs such as Brunswick, the day the school opened it would be filled. The Australian can hold his own against any race in the world. He is quick and smart to pick up a thing, and you will find that many high positions are held by those who have been students at the Working Men's Collage. The British monitors doing such fine work in this war were designed by an ex-student of the Working Men's College, and the automatic firing, which was fitted up in the trenches at Gallipoli to delude the Turks during the evacuation, was an invention of an ex-student of the same college. The man who is technically trained is better equipped to fight than he would be otherwise.

On the question of repatriation much good work has been done by the college in training returned soldiers in the work of boat clicking and in this the State War council has given great help and up to date eighty men have been trained and enabled to take up work, earning £3 per week and giving satisfaction to the employer and employee alike. Wool sorting has also been taken up and the men after selection some eight months ago have been trained and fifty of these have started work for this wool season. The others now being trained will take up the work next year. Toy-making at the Collingwood school has also been successful notwithstanding reports to the contrary (12).

The dapper Richard Fiddes Brown on the left  with Mr M. Devine at the A.N.A fete in Janaury 1919

The Australasian, February 1, 1919 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140218074

Scouting was another activity in which Fiddes Brown took an interest.  In August 1918 it was reported that -
The dinner arranged by the Scout Masters' Association in commemoration of the amalgamation of Baden Powell and Australian Imperial Scout Sections was held at the Cafe Royal on Saturday evening, when 60 Scout Masters, members of the central executive committee and invited guests were present, Brigadier-General Burston occupied the chair and was supported by Mr Fiddes Brown, Mr Coe, chairman of the central executive committee, being unavoidably absent....The function will be long remembered by those who were present (13).

In May 1921,  The new Scout Hall at Blackburn was officially opened on Saturday afternoon. Mr R. Fiddes Brown, chairman of the Headquarters Staff in declaring the hall opened, spoke of the spirit of citizenship displayed by Mr Saunders, who is nearly 80 years of age, and built the hall for the benefit of the Blackburn troop (14). 

There is one more story of Fiddes Brown worth sharing, that of his support for the retention of the Old Melbourne Cemetery. The Age reported on a protest held in 1920 -
Old Melbourne Cemetery. Protest against Desecration
That the opposition to the City Council's proposal to utilise the old cemetery for the extension of the general market adjoining is growing, both as to numbers and influence, was evidenced yesterday, when some hundreds of people assembled at Batman's monument to participate in the annual Foundation day service. Sir John Monash, who presided, laid a tribute to the work of Mr. A. H. Padley and those associated with him for the efforts made to defeat the council's proposal. He said that many of the men who were on active service were, like himself, astounded to learn that such an historic area was to be callously desecrated, and feared that the harm would have been done before they returned. Thanks to Mr. Padley and others this was avoided and the opportunity being afforded him, he intended to do everything possible to bring councillors to see the wrongfulness of what they proposed. (Applause.)

The cemetery, was the most historic and sacred spot in Victoria, and it would be a national crime to destroy it. The very idea of turning it into a vegetable market was revolting, and if carried into effect would prove that the people of Melbourne were utterly devoid of sentiment, and utterly lacking in gratitude to the pioneers who had blazed the trail they were following. (Applause.)

Apart altogether from the sentimental aspect, it would be a great breach of faith, amounting to robbery, to those who had paid for the graves and, the right of their dead to lie in peace for all time, while to do it at a period when they were talking of erecting memorials would be to show themselves a community of hypocrites. (Applause.)

Dr. Springthorpe, in moving a motion of protest, said he would sooner become a carniverous animal and live without vegetables altogether than eat vegetables sold on such a sacred site; a place sanctified by the burial of the first ten thousand of Melbourne's dead. The motion was seconded by Mr. I. Selby, who argued that the cemetery, because of its sacred, historical and democratic associations, was the ideal location of a national memorial to those who fell in the war. Mr Long (Educational department) moved, and Mr. Fiddes Brown (A.N.A.) seconded, that a deputation wait on the Lord Mayor to seek his support in preserving the cemetery. Both motions were unanimously agreed to. (15)

In spite of the high profile support, the Cemetery was closed and only the marked graves were exhumed and reinterred at other cemeteries. The rest remain buried under the Queen Victoria Market.

As was common in those days, it was the men who were involved in public life, but we do have one reference of Florence Fiddes Brown taking part in a community activity, and it is more than likely she was involved in many other activities. In June 1918, The Herald reported -

When a small hand held out 10/ yesterday to help in the penny offensive at the Town Hall, Mrs R. Fiddes Brown, to whom the money was given, was surprised, and questioned the boy Vernon Hodgson, of The Parade, Ascot Vale. The boy had made £1 by the sale of paper beads which he had made. He gave 10/ to the Comforts Fund and 10/ to his school fund. (16).

Richard and Florence's children both married.  Marjorie was married in 1937 to Joseph  Frances Forster and her death notice in The Age of November 29, 1982 lists five children and sixteen grandchildren.  Stewart married in 1929 to  Evelyn Rosetta Margaret Reaby. He was a Solicitor and they lived in Horsham.  Florence died on July 30, 1929, aged 55 and  Richard died November 13, 1936, aged 60.  They are buried at the Box Hill Cemetery (17).

Acknowledgment - some of this post was written and researched in conjunction with my colleague, Isaac Hermann, and has been published in our Victorian Collections story on Carlo Catani   https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/carlo-catani-an-engineering-star-over-victoria

Trove list - I have created a short list of articles about Richard Fiddes Brown and his work, personal life, community activities and people he was associated with. Access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) Report of the presentation - The Herald, May 9, 1917, see here.

(2) Robert George McCutcheon (1841 - 1918) - obituary: The Argus, October 21, 1918, see here; Spectator and Methodist Chronicle, October 23, 1918, see here. St Kilda Fore Shore information - Cooper, John Butler The History of St Kilda from its first settlement to a city and after 1840 - 1930, v. 2 (St Kilda City Council, 1931), p. 204. 

(3) Malvern Standard, May 26, 1917, see here.

(4) Family information - Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate;  Indexes to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(5) More Family information - Marriage certificate; Indexes to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(6) James Hume Cook (1866-1942) - Parliament of Victoria  https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/re-member/details/24/426; Commonwealth Parliament  https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/K4I. Australian Dictionary of Biography entry https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cook-james-newton-haxton-hume-5762

(7) Hume Cook wedding - Punch, March 27, 1902, see here.

(8) Menadue, J.E. A Centenary History of the Australian Natives' Association, 1871-1971 (Horticultural Press, 1971), p. 10.

(9) Menadue, op. cit.

(10) The Age, January 27, 1915, see here.

(11) The Herald, January 27, 1917, see here.

(12) Cheltenham Seaside News, August 25, 1917, see here.

(13) Weekly Times, August 31, 1918, see here.

(14) The Herald, May 23, 1921, see here.

(15) The Age, January 26, 1920, see here.

(16) The Herald, June 25, 1918, see here.

(17) Indexes to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Family notices in the newspapers.