The St Kilda Patriotic Carnival was held at Luna Park from December 8 to 15, 1917. It was officially opened by Sir John Madden, who was introduced by the Mayor of St Kilda, Cr O'Donnell -
Some ceremony was observed at the opening, which was conducted from a large central platform, around which many leading citizens and their wives had assembled. Sir John Madden, the Chief Justice; Lady Madden, Brigadier-General Hughes, Miss O'Donnell, daughter of the mayor: the mayor and councillors and town clerk gathered thereon with Mr. Catani, late engineer in chief of public works, and Mr. Mackenzie, Melbourne city treasurer. (1).
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The badge produced for the St Kilda Patriotic Carnival.
Admittance to the Carnival was 6 pence, but the purchase of this badge for 2 shillings
gave free on-going entrance. (2).
The Patriotic Carnival raised £6,985/15/6 and after expenses £5,910/1/6 was left and was distributed thusly - Australian Comforts Fund - £2,955/0/9; Victorian Division Red Cross - £738/15/2 and the same amount went to the 'local fund for material'; the St Kilda Soldiers' Lounge received the balance of £1477/10/5 (3).
On the opening day alone 25,000 people visited the Carnival and The Australasian reported on the event - During the afternoon half-hour programmes were given in the theatre by the Bon-Bons, the Serenaders, and the Troubadours. The evening's programme included a fancy dress competition, a court of injustice, an exhibition of stock-whip cracking, and balloon battles in the open air, whilst in the theatre the Zingari Orchestra and Madame Evelyn Ashley gave a concert. (4).
Helpers at the Cake Stall at the St Kilda Patriotic Carnival
Photographer: F.W. Tolra. Punch, December 27, 1917
There were also many stalls and the stallholders have vied with each other in doing that which they consider the most artistic and aspiring. (5). Judging by the photographs, the stall holders went to great effort in their choice of outfits. A comprehensive list of stalls was published in the newspapers -
A well-equipped produce stall is presided over by Mrs. Sibbon and Mrs. George Baillieu, whilst Mrs. Agar Wynne is among the saleswomen. Miss Spottiswood has a charming art stall, which displays some beautiful oil paintings others. In the centre of the grounds is a pretty pavilion in pink, black, and white. The mayoress of St. Kilda (Mrs. O'Donnell) was to have presided there, but she is ill, and her daughters have taken her place. Others in charge of stalls are Mesdames Ingham, Lilley, and Thomas (fruit), Wertheim, Ormiston and Pirani (cakes), Myers and Harris (St Kilda trades' jumble stall), Mr. Le Plaistier (toys made by locals patriotic woodworkers), Mrs. Potton (pot plants), Mrs. H.A Embling and Miss Esme Allee (Christmas tree, gifts, and snowball), Mrs H.S.K. Ward (kitchen), the Misses Shmith (balloons, confetti, and kewpies), Mrs. J. H. Hewison (Our Boys), Mrs. Gudgeon (sweets), Mesdames Stephen and Barlow (ices and raffles), and Mrs Tong (ices). (6).
St Kilda Red Cross workers, in charge of the Stall.
Photographer: F.W. Tolra. Punch, December 27, 1917
A refreshment pavilion, where Mrs. R. Hallenstein and Mrs. J. McD. McKenzie have charge of the arrangements, and the afternoon tea, high tea, and light supper are equal to the best obtainable in the city. The room will seat about 400 people, and is beautifully decorated, with, garlands of evergreens and panels and clusters of pink Japanese blossom. Among those assisting here are Mesdames A. Couchman, Nahum Barnet, Lockyer, D. Swanson, Phillips, Zeltner and Miss Swan, whilst 50 girl friends act as waitresses, and all are frocked in white. (7).
A striking group of helpers at the Sweets stall
Photographer: F.W. Tolra. Punch, December 13, 1917
A bevy of Produce stall assistants
Photographer: F.W. Tolra. Punch, December 13, 1917
It was indeed a very successful and well attended event and a credit to the organisers, the St. Kilda Patriotic Committee of which Carlo Catani was a member, with the official role of Manager of Grounds. (8). In fact The Australasian gave Carlo much credit for the success - as owing to the practical interest of Mr. C. Catani in designing a plan and seeing to the arrangements wonders were achieved. (9).
The venue, Luna Park, had opened on December 13, 1912 and operated until it closed for the season in May 1915. The next season, starting with the summer of 1915/1916, and no doubt due to the war it was practically closed ... except the section devoted to the scenic railway and it did not open at all over the Summer of 1916/1917. (10).
Luna Park had thus laid in an unused state for a long time, and it was with feelings of apprehension, that a band of voluntary workers undertook the task of making preliminary preparations for the Carnival the difficulties in the way at first appeared insuperable, but by a strenuous application to the work, they have transformed the park from a place of weeds and neglected buildings into a picturesque and happy looking village of oriental originality. (11).
The first report we read of Carlo's involvement is this -
Preparations on an extensive scale are being made for the holding of a great Patriotic Carnival in Luna Park in December next. Under the direction of Mr Catani, a number of voluntary workers commenced operations at the park on Saturday.... The work of levelling up and levelling down, and removing material that is no longer useful is being energetically pushed forward. (12)
A further report which mentions the work of Carlo - The renovation of Luna Park (which is lent to the St. Kilda Patriotic Committee by the generosity of Luna Park Ltd.) is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. Catani. The whole of the renovation work, which was estimated to cost £1500, is being done by voluntary workers on Saturday and Thursday afternoons. (13).
The practical work undertaken by Carlo was noted by the newspapers - From all sides one hears nothing but praise for the help given by Mr Catani in the work of preparing and otherwise decorating Luna Park for the Carnival. It is more than evident that Mr Catani has done a giant's work. (14).
After this successful event, the St Kilda Patriotic Committee held an open air carnival on March 22 and 23, 1918 in the grounds of the St Kilda Town Hall. It was reported that -
Owing to the untiring efforts of Mr. Catani, the scene was a brilliantly attractive, for the grounds were encircled by festoons of gay pennants and electric lights hung from Venetian masts, whilst about were dotted a large number of kiosks prettily decorated with flowers and foliage, interspersed with electric lights. (15). This is another report on the brilliance of Carlo - A brilliant scheme for illuminating and decorating the grounds has been evolved by Mr Catani, and in addition to a number of decorated kiosks about the grounds there will be a flower show, picture shows, and concerts; whilst in the main hall there will be a "palais de danse." (16). Around £300 was raised at this event,
As a matter of interest, Luna Park remained closed after the Patriotic Carnival and did not reopen until November 2, 1923. (17).
Trove list - I have created a short list of newspaper articles on Carlo Catani and the St Kilda Patriotic Carnival, access it here. There are photos of the Carnival in Punch, December 13, 1917, here and Punch, December 20, 1917, here and Punch, December 27, 1917, here; and Table Talk, December 13, 1917, here and here.
Footnotes
(1) The Age, November 10, 1917, see here.
(2) Table Talk, November 15, 1917, see here. Malvern Standard, December 1, 1917, see here. The Badge was made by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne and it was given to me by my fellow Carlo Catani researcher, Isaac Hermann.
(3) Audited account of Statements and Receipts - The Argus, April 19, 1918, see here and here [public notice, top p. 4]
(4) The Australasian, December 15, 1917, see here.
(5) Prahran Chronicle, December 8, 1917, see here.
(6) The Australasian, December 15, 1917, see here.
(7) The Australasian, December 15, 1917, see here.
(8) Prahran Chronicle, December 15, 1917, see here. The report listed - the rest of the Committee - President, His Worship the Mayor (Cr E. O'Donnell). Vice-Chairman, Mr F. S. Ormiston. Treasurer, Mr F. Chamberlin. Assistant Treasurer, Mr J. F. Jeans. Organisers, Cr A. Sculthorpe and Mr. W. F. Swanson. Advertising Representative, Mr J. Cowley. Stall Secretary, Mrs G. Lorimer. Badge Secretaries, Messrs D. Moulden and R. J. Devereaux. Raffle Secretary, Mr M. J. Porter. Manager of Grounds, Mr Catani. Traffic Managers, Cr H. F. Barnet and Mr J. M. A Spottiswood. Manager of Bands, Mr G. Tucker. Typists, Miss Ivy Kitching and Mr F. O'Neill. Executive Committee-These include names already mentioned, with the addition of Messrs. A. R. Kelsey, H. M. Knox, J. McD. McKenzie and E. A. Walker.
(9) The Australasian, December 15, 1917, see here.
(10) The Argus, December 14, 1912, see here; Prahran Telegraph, July 1, 1916 see here; Prahran Telegraph, December 9, 1916, see here.
(11) Prahran Chronicle, December 8, 1917, see here.
(12) Malvern Standard, October 13, 1917, see here.
(13) Table Talk, October 25, 1917, see here.
(14) Malvern Standard, December 8, 1917, see here.
(15) The Australasian, March 30, 1918, see here.
(16) The Australasian, March 23, 1918, see here.
(17) The Argus, November 2, 1923, see here and Cooper, John Butler The History of St Kilda from its Settlement to a City and after 1840 to 1930, v. 2 (St Kilda City Council 1931), p. 207.
