Carlo and his colleagues on the Albert Park Committee of Management

In 1899 Carlo was appointed a member of the Committee of Management of Albert Park Reserve. He remained on the  Committee of Management until his death in 1918

Carlo's appointment to the Albert Park Committee of Management

Emerald Hill Record, December 9, 1899 - see the full public notice here  

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108491520

Regulation -
The undermentioned gentlemen shall constitute a Committee of Management to exercise control over the said Albert Park : -

John Baragwanath
John Munro Bruce, J.P.,
John Cockbill,
Carlo Catani,
George Connibere, J P.,
William Davidson, C.E.,
Thomas Frank Morkham, J.P.,
Edward O'Donnell, J.P.
Provided nevertheless that the said George Connibere, J.P., Edward O'Donnell, J.P., John Baragwanath and John Cockbill shall hold office as members of the Committee of Management of the said Albert Park for so long only as they may respectively continue Councillors of the said City of South Melbourne or the said City of Saint Kilda.

Albert Park, 1890s, as Carlo would have known it.

Albert Park & Bay from Toorak Rd, 1890s. Photographer: Charles Rudd. 

State Library of Victoria image H39357/156

I thought we would have a look at the life of his seven colleagues on the 1899 Committee.

Baragwanath, John (1856-1943)

John Baragwanath was on the committee as a representative of the South Melbourne Council. Mr Baragwanath retired from the South Melbourne Bench in 1941, and there was a short report in The Herald of July 22, 1941 (see here) to mark this occasion.

Mr Baragwanath to leave Bench.  Mr John Barngwanath, chairman of South Melbourne Bench, will retire on Friday, the day after his 85th birthday. 

Born in Bendigo in 1856, Mr Baragwanath came to Melbourne when six months old with his parents in a spring dray. His first Job was as a brushmaker with the firm of Zevenboom. He later joined David Boyd in an estate agency in South Melbourne. He entered South Melbourne Council in August,1891, was four times Mayor and also Acting Mayor when Cr. L. Taite was on active service during the 1914-18 war. He first sat on the Bench at South Melbourne during his first term as Mayor in 1894.

His short but informative obituary from The Age, April 16, 1943 (see here) provides more information. 
Mr. John Baragwanath, for more than half a century, one of South Melbourne's best-known citizens, died at a private hospital yesterday morning, aged 86 years. He was a native of Bendigo, but spent nearly all his life in South Melbourne. He played both football and cricket with the district and was president of the cricket club for 34 years. He was four times mayor of South Melbourne, and was a councillor for 29 years. Mr. Baragwanath was twice married. He leaves a widow, a daughter (Mrs L. Dudfield) and a son. The funeral will leave Sleight's chapel, St. Kilda-road, to-day at 3 o'clock for the St. Kilda cemetery.

Bruce, John Munro (1840-1901)
The following information is from his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by J. Ann Hone, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bruce-john-munro-3093

Born in Ireland, Mr Bruce arrived in Victoria in 1859 and later bought into a softgoods business Paterson, Laing & Bruce, which was very successful.

When the business was firmly established and prospering Bruce gave time to community affairs. He was a Harbor Trust commissioner from 1883 to 1890. In 1883 he was a Chamber of Commerce delegate at the conference on intercolonial free trade. He was a delegate at the 1888 Australasian Commercial Congress and entertained the visitors at his homes, Wombalano in Toorak and Fern Glen near Scoresby. Bruce also had time to indulge his interest in politics and played a prominent part in securing support for the Gillies-Deakin administration at the 1886 general election and was chairman of the coalition committee. Bruce was president of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Melbourne Hospital, a Centennial Exhibition commissioner and held captain's rank in the Prince of Wales Light Horse.........Overseas again in 1900, Bruce's health failed and he committed suicide in Paris on 4 May 1901. His comparatively early death was attributed to 'wear and tear on his own and the community's behalf'. A Baptist, Bruce was survived by his wife Mary Ann, née Henderson, whom he had married on 28 May 1872, one daughter and three of his four sons, one of whom, Stanley Melbourne, became prime minister of Australia and Viscount Bruce of Melbourne.

Cockbill, John (1854-1922)

John Cockbill  was on the committee as a representative of the South Melbourne Council. Mr Cockbill's obituary was in The Age, May 31, 1922, see here.

Death of Cr. Cockbill. Long Civic Career
After a prolonged illness, Cr John Cockbill, J.P., of the City Council, died yesterday morning at his residence, Albert-road, Albert Park. About six months ago Cr Cockbill was injured by a motor car in front of the Town Hall, sustaining a fractured leg, but although he appeared to recover for a time, symptoms of shock developed. Born in Williamstown in 1854, Cr. Cockbill was elected to the South Melbourne Council in 1890, which position he retained until his death. He was three times mayor of South Melbourne. Elected to the Bourke ward of the City Council in 1912, he was chairman of the Town Hall committee and a member of the public works committee at the time of his death. 

Cr. Cockbill was the founder of the firm of J. Cockbill and Sons, Kensington, which he conducted with the assistance of his sons. He leaves a widow, two sons and three daughters.

Yesterday the Lord Mayor, members of the City Council and the Town Clerk referred feelingly to the late councillor. As a mark of respect the special committee of the City Council; which sat yesterday, adjourned for five minutes. Deceased was a member of the Metropolitan Board for eleven years, and as a mark of respect the board at its meeting yesterday adjourned the proceedings, for five minutes.

The funeral  will leave his late residence 33 Albert-road, Albert Park, on Thursday,at 2:30 p.m., and will proceed to St. James' Cathedral after which the remains will be interred at Melbourne General Cemetery.

Connibere, George, J.P (1832-1911)
George Connibere was on the committee as a representative of the St Kilda Council. His obituary was in the Malvern Standard, on December 2, 1911 (see here)

Death of Mr G. Connibere. Old St. Kilda Resident.
Mr George Connibere died at his residence, "Southdean," Toorak, on Monday last, to the great regret of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The deceased gentleman, who was 79 years of age, was the senior partner of the firm of Connibere, Grieve, and Connibere, ware-housemen, of Melbourne, and arrived in Australia from England 48 years ago. He was a widower, and leaves a family of three sons and one daughter. 

Mr Connibere was a very old resident of St. Kilda, and for many years took a prominent part in public affairs. He first entered the St. Kilda council in 1872, and, with the exception of an interval, remained in the council until last August twelve months, when he retired. For several years he was one of the St. Kilda representatives on the Metropolitan Board of Works, and on two occasions occupied the position of Mayor. He was a member of the St. Kilda branch of the A.N.A., and that body at its last meeting decided to forward a letter of condolence to the family. 

The late Mr Connibere was a prominent member of Holy Trinity Church, Balaclava. In 1891 he was appointed to the position of Sunday school superintendent, and in succeeding years he was vestry man and churchwarden. To the church he proved one of its best and most revered benefactors. The funeral of the deceased gentleman took place on Tuesday, the remains being interred in the St. Kilda cemetery. There was a large and representative attendance. The pall bearers were -Dr M'Adam, Hon Mr
Bachse, M.L.C., the Mayor of St. Kilda (Cr F. G. Hughes), Cr Barnet, Mr J. J. Brown, Mr Dickenson Wheeler, Mr Albert Miller, Mr W. Birchnell, and Mr Macintosh. The remains had first been conveyed to St. John's Church of England, where the Rev. Canon Drought. and Archdeacon Hindley assisted by the curate of St. John's, held a service.

The chief mourners at the funeral were deceased's two sons, Mr Ernest and Mr George Connibere, and amongst those who attended were the St. Kilda councillors and the Town Clerk (Mr Jno. N. Browne). The employes of Connibere, Grieve,and Connibere lined the drive at the cemetery, and the coffin was carried to the grave between the lines of employes. The body was laid to rest in the family vault. The remains were encased in a very handsome brass mounted oak casket, with the inscription on, and the casket surmounted a very heavy lead coffin.The hearse and floral car, the latter containing very many beautiful designs, were followed by the carriage of the deceased gentleman and five mourning coaches, and then a long line of private and other vehicles. The funeral arrangements were carried out by W. G. Apps and Sons.

Davidson, William C.E., (1844-1920)
William Davidson was a Civil Engineer and Chief Inspector of Public Works. I have written about his life here.

Morkham, Thomas Frank, J.P (1844-1922)

This information about Thomas Morkham comes from his obituary, published in The Argus of March 20, 1922 (see here)

Death of Major Morkham

The news of the death of Major Thomas F. Morkham, a former secretary for lands, which occurred yesterday morning, after a long illness, will be received with regret by a large circle of friends and officers who served under him in the Public Works and Lands departments. Major Morkham was born in Bath in January 1844, and nine years later arrived in Victoria with his parents. The family settled at Geelong, and resided there for many years. Major Morkham served his articles as a surveyor and architect with Mr Shaw, Geelong and, having qualified, carried on business there until 1872, when he came to Melbourne and entered the Government service. He rose rapidly, and eventually was appointed secretary for Public Works, and later Secretary for Lands, from which position he retired on pension in 1905. 

As a young man Major Morkham took a keen ínterest in military matters, and has reached the rank of major in the old volunteer forces when he left Geelong for Melbourne. On desiring to be transferred, he found that his seniority in rank would place him over the heads of many men in the metropolis who had given much time to soldiering, and, with characteristic consideration, Major Morkham applied to be placed on the unattached list, which to done. Major Morkham was keenly interested in cricket, and was a trustee of the Melbourne Cricket ground for some years. He was a favourite with members of the Australian Elevens, with whom he toured more than once. He was chairman of the trustees of Albert Park and a trustee of Royal Park. Major Morkham was twice married. He leaves one son, Mr Frank Morkham.

O'Donnell, Edward  J.P (1845-1933)

Edward O'Donnell, born in Ireland, was on the committee as a representative of the St Kilda Council. He worked with Carlo as a member of the St Kilda Foreshore Committee, established in 1906. Cr O'Donnell unveiled the bronze bust of Carlo on his Clock Tower memorial on August 22, 1932 and also started the mechanism of the clock on the occasion. Cr O'Donnell is remembered in St Kilda by the O'Donnell Fountain and Garden. His obituary was in The Argus of July 8, 1933, see here.

Mr. Edward O'Donnell.

The death of Mr Edward O'Donnell which occurred at his home at St Kilda yesterday closes a long career of public service. Mr O' Donnell had been a member of the St Kilda City Council continuously for 44 years. He was defeated by councillor Raphael in the election last year. He was six times mayor of the city; and for 18 years he was chairman of the finance committee of the council. He had been a member of the foreshore committee since its inception in 1906; and he was chairman from 1919 until his death. On his defeat as a candidate for the council last year he was made Government representative on the committee. In December, 1888, he became a member of the Albert Park committee of management and he remained a member until his death. From August 1918, until his defeat Mr O'Donnell represented the council on the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. He was a trustee of the St Kilda Cemetery, a member of the committee of management of the Alfred Hospital and returning officer for the Melbourne South Province and the electoral district of St Kilda. 

Mr O'Donnell leaves a widow and a family of six daughters and two sons. Three daughters are married. One is Mrs T. T. McMahon, another Mrs J. Tuomy and a third Mrs H. B. Devine. The funeral will leave Mr O'Donnell's late residence for the St Kilda Cemetery at 3 o'clock this afternoon.

William Davidson, Civil engineer and Chief Inspector of Public Works

William Davidson, Civil Engineer, Chief Inspector of Public Works and a man who worked with Carlo on a myriad of projects, is naturally mentioned multiple times in this blog. What do we know of him? We will start with this informative obituary from The Argus, of September 3, 1920 (see here) which tells us of his early life in Ireland, his adventurous trip to Australia and his career in Victoria. 

William Davidson

The Australasian, December 4, 1897 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138631407

Death of Mr. W.Davidson. Sudden Seizure in City. Valuable Public Service.

Deep regret was expressed among a wide circle of friends when it became known that Mr. William Davidson, I.S.O., late Inspector General of State Public Works died with painful suddenness yesterday afternoon. He was lunching at Hosies Hotel with several friends, including Mr. G. Kermode, chief engineer of public works; Mr. F. W. Fricke, second member of the Country Roads Board, and Mr H.G.W. Neale, secretary to the Agent-General, when he collapsed and died within a few minutes.

The late Mr Davidson had been suffering from heart complaint for several years and was under medical treatment. At the beginning of last month he suffered from an attack of influenza, but had recovered sufficiently to make his customary visit to the city and his relatives were not unduly concerned regarding his health. In fact, only yesterday morning he remarked that he felt unusually well.

Mr Davidson was an extremely lovable personality, and was exceptionally popular with his colleagues in the civil service, with which he was associated for nearly 40 years. In private life his sterling character and frank geniality caused his friendship to be highly valued. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Mr Davidson was as an ideal public servant,efficient, conscientious, and supremely trustworthy. He retired from the service in 1912.

Born in County Tyrone Ireland, on December 6, 1844, Mr Davidson spent his boyhood in a village. At the age of 12 years he was an ambitious assistant in a store, and a description of him at this time by a friend tells of "a keen, bright boy, with nothing more pretentious in the way of education than that imparted at a village school, but with a receptive mind, and plenty of push." His fathers brother, Robert Davidson, had come out to Victoria at the time of the gold rush, and had set up in practice at Ballarat as a mining surveyor. Young Davidson became fired with a longing to seek his fortune overseas, and working his way over to Liverpool, he succeeded in getting a passage out in a sailing ship that reached Port Phillip in 1859. Even the roughness of these experiences did not weaken his determination. He set out on foot for Ballarat, and some days later appeared at the door of the tent which his uncle used as an office, and introduced himself as a nephew. When the mining surveyor had recovered from the first shock and astonishment, he inquired, "Where is your father?" "At home," replied young Davidson. "And where is home?" he was further asked. "In Ireland," the boy remarked laconically.

Perseverance of that description deserved to succeed, and the uncle gave his nephew a chance by attaching him as a "generally useful" to a surveying party. Young Davidson made the most of his chance, and he rose from the post of a "generally useful" to be a chainman and later a full fledged surveyor. Subsequently in practising his profession there was hardly a part of the north-west that he did not traverse, while he also knew Gippsland from a first-hand acquaintance. That knowledge in distant parts of the State served him splendidly in later years. In 1873 the position of assistant to the chief engineer of the Melbourne Water Supply department, under Mr. Taylor, became vacant, and Mr Davidson obtained the appointment. 

In January, 1878, Mr. Taylor was one of the heads of the department dispensed with on "Black Wednesday" by the Berry Government during the political crisis. Soon after a big flood carried away the Plenty bridge and with it the mains conveying the Yan Yean water to Melbourne. Rebuilding the bridge, and restoring the supply with all possible urgency was entrusted to Mr. Davidson. So energetically and efficiently was the work executed that when it was finished Mr (afterwards Sir James) Patterson, the then Minister for Public Works, as a reward, handed to Mr Davidson his appointment as engineer of Melbourne water supply. To his service in this capacity Mr. Davidson has left an enduring monument in the shape of the Yan Yean water supply system.

 The whole question of the question of the metropolitan water supply rested upon him, and he brought rare skill and knowledge to bear upon it. As an illustration of his through methods it may be mentioned that he spent months in survey work on top of the ranges working out his theory that it was possible to divert to the service of the Yan Yean reservoir some of the streams that emptied into the Goulburn. The diversion of Silver Creek and Wallaby Creek were the fruits of this spell of strenuous field work. Later on the Watts River had to be drawn upon. In this work Mr. Davidson was greatly

assisted by the late Mr. William Thwaites, who was his chief assistant, and who became engineer in chief to the Board of Works when that body assumed control of the metropolitan water supply.

In 1890 Mr. Davidson succeeded the late Mr. William Steel as Inspector-general of public works. In that capacity he was the directing force in connection with engineering projects right throughout the State and in works and bridge construction undertaken by shires in conjunction with the Government. His knowledge of the State was of inestimable value to him, while his personal probity, fairness and judicial mind were factors in his success and popularity. His reputation was not confined to Victoria, for his services were sought by the Governments of other States, chiefly in connection with harbour and water supply matters. When the honours list was issued at the time of the Coronation in 1911 Mr. Davidson's name figured amongst those upon whom had been conferred the Imperial Service Order, and he was the recipient of congratulations from all parts of the Commonwealth.

His last important undertaking was going to London to consult the firm of Coode, Son and Matthews on plans to improve the harbour accommodation in Hobson's Bay, and to enlarge the scheme which that eminent engineering firm had prepared in 1879 for the Melbourne Harbour Trust. The principal expenditure in these operations was the building of the New Railway Pier at Port Melbourne.

Mr. Davidson was a keen sportsman and in his younger days followed the hounds regularly. For "special services" he was made a life member of the Victorian Racing Club. This is a unique distinction, and during the history of the club has only been conferred on four other men-the Duke of Portland, the late Mr. Mark Moss, Mr. Isidore Moss and Mr Archie Yuille. Mr Davidson was a leading member of the Yorick Club, and also on the Board of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

Quite recently he read a paper before the Historical Society giving the history of the origin and complete development of the Melbourne Water Supply, and, with characteristic modesty never once mentioned his own name in connection with it.

He leaves a widow and four children Mr John Davidson (Sydney), Mrs. A. Phillips, (Sydney), Mrs Lyon and Miss Bertha Davidson. The remains will be interred privately in the Boroondara Cemetery. (1)

Family life
William married Elizabeth Cherry on January 3, 1874 at St John's Church of England in Ballarat. He was 30 and was 27 years old. She had been born in London to James William Cherry and his wife, Elizabeth Foster. James was a painter. William's parents are listed on the marriage certificate as John Davidson, an Architect, and Eliza McCudden. (2)

William died on September 2, 1920 and at the time of his death he was living at Maroondah, Lisson Grove in Hawthorn.

William's death notice. 

The Argus, September 11, 1920 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4584592

Elizabeth died on August 19, 1927. She was living at 77 St Vincent Place South, Albert Park, with her daughter Bertha, at the time of her death. 

Elizabeth's death notice. 

The Argus, August 22, 1927 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3874260

William and Elizabeth had four children, all given the second name of Oliver, which must have been a family name. They all died in New South Wales. (3)

Minnie Oliver Davidson
Minnie was born in 1874 in South Melbourne. Minnie married John Sydney Lyon in 1916 when she was about 42 years old. John sadly died of influenza in 1919. Minnie died in Mosman on October 9,  1945.

Obituary of John Sydney Lyon

Perth Daily News, March 25, 1919 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81842533

Minnie's death notice.

The Argus, October 26, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12149296

John Oliver Davidson
John was born in 1877, in South Melbourne. He married Louisa Edwards in 1928 in New South Wales. In the 1930 Electoral Rolls their address was Maroondah, Balgowlah Road, Manly - he had named his home after the family home in Hawthorn.  Louisa died at the age of 45 on October 11, 1932, only four years after their marriage. (4) John died in Manly, New South Wales on November 27, 1957. 

Entry from the 1930 Electoral Roll from Ancestry.com

John's death notice

Sydney Morning Herald, November 29, 1957 from Newspapers.com

Bertha Oliver Davidson
Bertha was born in 1878, in South Melbourne. Bertha married James Doolan in 1931 in New South Wales, when she was about 53 years old.  She died on September 1, 1950 in Sydney and is buried with her parents at the Boorondara Cemetery.

Bertha's death notice.

The Argus, September 4, 1950 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22895535

Annie Oliver Davidson
Annie was born in 1880 in Hawthorn. She married Henry Arthur Phillips on October 19, 1905 and died in New South Wales on February 16, 1969. Annie and Henry had three children - Geoffrey born in Hawthorn in 1906; the next two children were born in New South Wales - William in 1910 and Elizabeth in 1915. These were the only grandchildren of William and Elizabeth.

Annie married at the family home, Maroondah, Lisson Grove, Hawthorn.

The Argus, December 2, 1905 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10020901

Annie's death notice

Sydney Morning Herald, February 19, 1969 from Newspapers.com

Footnotes
(1) The Argus, September 3, 1920, see here
(2) Death certificate of William and Marriage certificate of William and Elizabeth.
(3) Details of children - Victorian and New South Wales Indexes to Births, Deaths and Marriages. Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com.

(4) Louisa death notice Sydney Daily Telegraph, October 12, 1932, see here.

Carlo transforms the St Kilda Foreshore from a Reeking Marsh to a Garden Beauty

A lovely tribute to Carlo, whose St Kilda Foreshore Committee turned the reeking marsh, which was the St Kilda Foreshore, into a beautiful garden based on Carlo's design; a garden fit  for both Royalty and the masses.  The article is from the Sun News-Pictorial, of August 23, 1932 (see here)  

From Reeking Marsh to Garden Beauty: St. Kilda’s Foreshore Represents Miracle of Achievement.
If civic pride glowed through the oratory at the unveiling yesterday afternoon, on St. Kilda Esplanade, of the clock tower memorial to the late Mr. Carlo Catani, designer of the St. Kilda foreshore beautifications, its expression there was pardonable. St. Kilda's foreshore beauty represents a miracle of achievement, brought about by rare civic enterprise.

Twenty-six years ago the foreshore was a noisome expanse of marsh, suggesting the desolation of the remote Scottish island from which the suburb derived its name. Today the vistas of lawns, gardens and shrubberies that extend for nearly two miles along the sea-front are unsurpassed by anything else of the kind in Australia.

The beautifications and the amusement places that have followed in their wake have made St Kilda a resort for the masses. The name is synonymous with carnival. Creation of a seaside pleasance for the working classes was the vision that prompted the transformation.

On two occasions at least Melbourne has had cause to be grateful for the splendor of St. Kilda’s seafront. These were the visits of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. St. Kilda provided the only landing-place where the royal visitors could be received with out the city feeling a sense of shame. Both their Royal Highnesses, and all other notable visitors who have been received at St. Kilda, expressed admiration of the foreshore beauty. Other tribute has come in the shape of requests from seaside municipalities from all over Australia for details of the beautification scheme.

An elaborate extension of the scheme had been proposed and will be put into effect if Government aid is forthcoming. The proposal is to reclaim a sector of the Bay from Blessington Street to Point Ormond. The reclaimed area would be 45 acres. This would be laid down in lawns and gardens, and incidental provision would be made for the widening of Marine Parade and the protection of residences along that thoroughfare from storm spray.

The St. Kilda-foreshore is controlled by a foreshore committee, representative of the St. Kilda Council and the Board of Works. It was formed in 1906 at the request of St. Kilda Council. Mr. Carlo Catani, who was chief engineer of the Board of Works, was a member of the original committee. The whole scheme of beautification was designed in one plan by Mr. Catani, and most of his conception had been put into effect before his death in 1918. The committee has worked since to his designs.

Financially, the foreshore scheme has been a success. Revenue from amusement places along the sea-front pays for the continuous extension and maintenance of the scheme.

The result of the St Kilda Foreshore reclamation works, c. 1931.

Image: 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), between pp 154 & 155.

The Foreshore Gardens were named in his honour in 1927. There is more about the St Kilda Foreshore in our Victorian Collections story on Carlo - https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/carlo-catani-an-engineering-star-over-victoria/st-kilda-foreshore-gardens