The promotion of Mr. C. Catani, of the Public Works department, to the position of engineer in charge of harbors and rivers, as well as roads and bridges, has been approved by the Governor in Council. Formerly Mr. Catani occupied the position of assistant engineer in the harbors and rivers branch. The harbors and roads branches were previously in charge of two distinct officers, but are now amalgamated under Mr. Catani, who is also entrusted with the carrying out of reclamation works. The latter duty has been discharged by him for some time past to the entire satisfaction of the Commissioner of Public Works who, together with the inspector-general, speak in the highest terms of Mr. Catani's ability and zeal.
The Age, November 24, 1892, see here.
Mr. Catani, who as a landscape designer has few equals...
Yarragon Settlement News, June 25, 1908, see here. Referring to design by Carlo for the Warragul Park.
Only those who have had some experience in such work fully realise the difficulties involved in landscape gardening ; in fact, it is a profession by itself, and Councillors after pondering over the problem wisely decided that it would be prudent to consult Signor Catani, who has already achieved a high reputation in landscape gardening; as the result of the splendid scenic effects which he has designed and carried out on the St Kilda road and the Alexandra avenue. It was Signor Catani who very kindly designed the Warragul park and with that artistic instinct, which is such a prominent characteristic in his own countrymen, he would naturally feel a personal interest in the ornamentation of the pleasure grounds which have been partially laid out according to his design.
West Gippsland Gazette, June 22, 1909, see here. Referring to design by Carlo for the Warragul Park.
Traralgon Record October 23, 1908, see here. Referring to the Mount Buffalo road.
Acting on the suggestion of the Bright Shire Council, the Victorian 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. All through the season it has been full to overflowing and has proved a great addition to the attractions of the district, being popular with visitors both for bathing and boating. It has been stocked with rainbow trout. In the winter the lake will be frozen over, and, with additions, that Mr. Catani has proposed, an area of 10 acres of shallow water for skating will be provided.
Border Morning Mail, January 27, 1911, see here.
Mr Catani's sense of floral beauty would be also of advantage in beautifying the place.
Williamstown Chronicle, March 25, 1911, see here. Proposed work to reclaim and beautify the Williamstown foreshore
Their best thanks was due to Mr Catani, who was the brain box of the Public Works Department, and one of the most conscientious and ablest officers in the employ of the State.
Snowy River Mail, February 15, 1912, see here. Carlo and the Treasurer, Hon. W.A. Watt and Hon. James Cameron were visiting East Gippsland and this is part of a report of a dinner at the Commonwealth Hotel in Orbost.
Orbost in 1915 - this is how Orbost would have looked when Carlo and the
Ministerial party visited only three years before.
In February 1912, Carlo Catani and a Ministerial party including the Treasurer, Hon. W.A. Watt, the Minister for Public Works, W.L. Baillieu and the Hon. James Cameron, visited East Gipplsand, including the town of Orbost.
Image: Photographer: S. Vogt Studio. Museums Victoria https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/773010
There exists no engineering problem to vex Mr Catani's soul for an instant.
Geelong Advertiser, June 6, 1913, see here. Need for improvement to the Barwon River.
When a jaded Minister of State goes touring in Victoria, he tries by hook or by crook to get Carlo Catani, Engineer of the Public Works Department, assigned to him as official guide and mentor. Carlo Catani is a most interesting companion on a long train or motor trip and in the bush. Incidentally he uses his conversational prestige to push forward his beneficient schemes for the making of beauty spots, good roads, new harbors and what not; in fact, he is the life and soul of the Public Works Department in Victoria, and his engineering feats have been applied with equal success to stubborn nature in the wilderness and in the Cabinet. He has done, much to make the Melbourne to Heidelberg Yarra drive an assured proposition, and in that achievement his gifts of planning and persuasion were exercised with, the best effect.
Table Talk, September 11, 1913, see here.
Mr Catani enthuses with all the poetry of the idealist, if there was one work he would go heart and soul into it was the work of beautification, as after all money-making did not satisfy the desires of human nature.
Mount Alexander Mail, January 28, 1914, see here. Plan to create a lake for recreation at Happy Valley, near Castlemaine.
Mr. Catani, the departmental landscape beauty expert.
Bendigo Independent, June 2, 1914, see here. Regarding the beautification of the Vaughan/Glenluce Springs area.
In response to a request for the laying out of a croquet lawn in the reserve, for the amusement of lady enthusiasts in the pleasant, game, the Borough Council has requested Mr. Catani - an accepted authority on all matters of the kind - to work the croquet ground into his scheme for the better-laying out of the area.
The Horsham Times, July 14, 1914, see here. Clearly, Councils thought there was no end to Carlo's talents.
None doubted the ability of Mr Catani, who by sheer merit had risen to the top of his profession: he knew no one in Victoria who had a higher standing professionally than Mr Catani.
Geelong Advertiser, August 12, 1914, see here. Barwon River Improvement League meeting, Hon. H.F. Richardson, M.L.C quoted.
Here is a most unique personality whom the State will remember, because each year as it passes will help to perfect his artistic work.
Ovens and Murray Advertiser April 7, 1915, see here. This is the same article where they talked about how gets his suits made, see here.
To transform it by means of a magic wand would be foolish, and yet we make bold to say that when the scheme of beautification has finally been effected, it will look so beautiful, so perfect, serene, and so exquisitely full of "Catani ideas," that the world at large will be loth to disbelieve that the magicians wand hadn't been at work after all!
Prahran Chronicle, April 15, 1916, see here. Referring to the St Kilda foreshore.
Praise was showered on ....the handiwork of Mr Catani, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, the result of whose artistic genius the foreshore now presents such a fine ornamental picture.
Malvern Standard, March 17, 1917, see here. Visit of Government officials and local councillors to view the St Kilda foreshore improvements.
Mr. Catani is about the only man who ever galvanised the Victorian Works Department into anything in the form of aesthetic life. Probably he was able to do so much with the slow-moving civil servants around him because he was blessed with unusual vigor himself, and could paint a rosy scheme in treble languages. He was about the best story-teller the department ever had, so that, in addition to losing an able engineer, the service is parting with a pleasant social light.
Table Talk May 3, 1917, see here. Referring to Carlo's retirement.
Acknowledgement: I found most of these tributes by trawling through the newspapers on Trove, however I got a few of them from my fellow Carlo researcher, Isaac Hermann. Thank you again, Isaac.
Table Talk, September 11, 1913, see here.
Mr Catani enthuses with all the poetry of the idealist, if there was one work he would go heart and soul into it was the work of beautification, as after all money-making did not satisfy the desires of human nature.
Mount Alexander Mail, January 28, 1914, see here. Plan to create a lake for recreation at Happy Valley, near Castlemaine.
Mr. Catani, the departmental landscape beauty expert.
Bendigo Independent, June 2, 1914, see here. Regarding the beautification of the Vaughan/Glenluce Springs area.
In response to a request for the laying out of a croquet lawn in the reserve, for the amusement of lady enthusiasts in the pleasant, game, the Borough Council has requested Mr. Catani - an accepted authority on all matters of the kind - to work the croquet ground into his scheme for the better-laying out of the area.
The Horsham Times, July 14, 1914, see here. Clearly, Councils thought there was no end to Carlo's talents.
None doubted the ability of Mr Catani, who by sheer merit had risen to the top of his profession: he knew no one in Victoria who had a higher standing professionally than Mr Catani.
Geelong Advertiser, August 12, 1914, see here. Barwon River Improvement League meeting, Hon. H.F. Richardson, M.L.C quoted.
Here is a most unique personality whom the State will remember, because each year as it passes will help to perfect his artistic work.
Ovens and Murray Advertiser April 7, 1915, see here. This is the same article where they talked about how gets his suits made, see here.
To transform it by means of a magic wand would be foolish, and yet we make bold to say that when the scheme of beautification has finally been effected, it will look so beautiful, so perfect, serene, and so exquisitely full of "Catani ideas," that the world at large will be loth to disbelieve that the magicians wand hadn't been at work after all!
Prahran Chronicle, April 15, 1916, see here. Referring to the St Kilda foreshore.
He has not contented himself with designing and superintending utilitarian works but has been largely responsible for beautification schemes which have won widespread admiration....It is doubtful whether Victoria has ever had a more conscientious or industrious public officer, or one who so completely and patriotically identified himself with the advancement of the State.
The Herald, February 15, 1917, see here. A look back at Carlo's life in his retirement.Praise was showered on ....the handiwork of Mr Catani, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, the result of whose artistic genius the foreshore now presents such a fine ornamental picture.
Malvern Standard, March 17, 1917, see here. Visit of Government officials and local councillors to view the St Kilda foreshore improvements.
Mr. Catani is about the only man who ever galvanised the Victorian Works Department into anything in the form of aesthetic life. Probably he was able to do so much with the slow-moving civil servants around him because he was blessed with unusual vigor himself, and could paint a rosy scheme in treble languages. He was about the best story-teller the department ever had, so that, in addition to losing an able engineer, the service is parting with a pleasant social light.
Table Talk May 3, 1917, see here. Referring to Carlo's retirement.
Acknowledgement: I found most of these tributes by trawling through the newspapers on Trove, however I got a few of them from my fellow Carlo researcher, Isaac Hermann. Thank you again, Isaac.
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