Land set aside for Warragul Park
Victorian Government Gazette, October 5, 1888. p. 3039
Map of Warragul, showing the Public Park and Garden Reserve, south of the railway line.
State Library of Victoria - click on this link for the complete map http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/108451
The landscaping of the garden moved very slowly; in 1891 it was reported that the Council had to take such proceedings as shall be necessary to remove all persons who are illegally in occupation of portions of the Warragul Town Park reserve (1). Three years later the issue was still not resolved as the Warragul Guardian reported that Some of the occupants of holdings on the Warragul Public Park reserve recently offered to give up possession upon receiving certain compensation from the Council. The article then lists the compensation that had to be paid a few years previously to occupiers of land near the railway station for removal of buildings and damage to property in connection with the rearrangement of the Warragul station yard in the years 1887-88 (2).
The council must have eventually removed some of these people (but not all, as we shall find out later) as in 1898, ten years after the park was gazetted -
A short time ago the Warragul Shire Council obtained a number of young trees for planting in what will some day be a beautiful public park, whilst others were obtained from one of the State nurseries, and four Queensland cedars were kindly presented by Mr. M'Cullough. Planting operations were commenced on Wednesday morning ......Over sixty trees have thus far been obtained, and they are mostly of a choice and ornamental character (3).
Another ten years later, in 1908, the Council had received a letter from their local member -
This is what Warragul looked like around the time Warragul Park was gazetted in October 1888.
Warragul, c. 1886. Photographer: Nicholas Caire. State Library of Victoria H17888
Another ten years later, in 1908, the Council had received a letter from their local member -
Hon. J. E. Mackey, re obtaining assistance of Departmental Curators of Parks and gardens, stating that he had arranged with Mr Catani, of the Public Works Department to pay a visit to Warragul as soon as possible, and prepare a design for the Park (4).
The locals were obviously excited that Carlo had agreed to design the garden and the West Gippsland Gazette printed an article which started with -
In view of the approaching visit to Warragul of Mr. Catani, one of the principal officers in the Public Works Department, in order to evolve the most effective design for the laying out of the Warragul public park, the following appreciative notice in last week's "Australasian" will be read with interest (5). The paper republished the Australasian's glowing report of Carlo's work on the Alexandra Gardens (read it here)
In June 1908, Carlo came back with the plan. The Yarragon Settlement News described Carlo as a man who as a landscape designer has few equals and that the plan presented would make the cheerless looking area a thing of beauty and a joy for ever. (6).
The West Gippsland Gazette published this detailed and flamboyant description of the plans -
the plan provides for the various winding paths and shubberies incidental to all public pleasure grounds. Mr Catani has, moreover, utilised the magnificent flow of clear water to the fullest advantage, and with the consummate skill of a trained landscape gardener, has designed a circuitous stream whose pellucid waters will ripple over a rock-bestrewn bottom as they flow " on for ever," like Tennyson's immortal brook, to join the Moe river. At the narrow end of the Park a small lake is provided for, and towards the Shire Hall another and more expansive sheet of water of artistic configuration is designed to embellish the eastern end of the park. The two lakes are connected by the stream, which in its course flows over a beautiful little artificial cascade. In the centre of the larger lake is a small island, which is intended to meet the nesting proclivities of water fowl and swans, which always add to the life and interest of our public gardens. The stream itself is diverted to the longitudinal centre of the park, and the excavation work, though not extensive for such a scheme of beautification, provides for the widening of the stream to 12 feet, the material being used to make sloping banks and lawns. Mr Catani expresses a very natural regret that the land is all flat, with no rising ground, and hints that if practicable the Council might obtain at least a portion of the higher ground to the south of the park. This is a matter worthy of consideration. (7).
The plan was accepted, some money obtained, but a year later work still hadn't started. One of the issues was Mrs Connor -
interesting development's are expected concerning Mrs. Connor's occupancy of the public park. The lady in question is living in a weatherboard house, situated on a corner of the park, and, according to very good authority, she has no title whatever. As the shire council proposes to effect a number of improvements to the park, Mrs. Connor, together with other occupiers, was offered a sum of money to quit; but she refused the offer, and agreed in writing that the question should be settled by arbitration. Arbitrators were appointed, and the sum of £100 agreed upon. A cheque for this sum was tendered Mrs. Connor, and she refused to take it (8). I am not sure if Mrs Connor ever moved from the park!
This article from the West Gippsland Gazette in June 1909, is worth repeating here as it shows the high esteem with which Carlo was held -
The designing of a local park marks an epoch in the history of any district and Warragul is now engaged in such an undertaking. The future pleasure ground of the people has already been designed in part and now trees have to be selected and planted...[the Council] recognised that in selecting the trees due regard must be paid to the scenic effects for although we have a beautiful park in the making for the rising generation, it is a very easy matter to spoil the whole effect by selecting unsuitable trees and placing them in wrong positions, necessitating transplanting and often loss in the future. In any case such a blunder would unnecessarily throw the work back...... 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..... It is hardly a fair thing either to impose such a responsibility upon the shire engineer, who as an Engineer is not expected to be an encyclopedia of all knowledge and experience including landscape gardening. Expert opinion should be obtained so that the people's park may be made as beautiful as it is possible to make it, and in future years councillors, as custodians of the people's property will be commended for their wisdom in obtaining the best advice available for such an important work (9).
The other issue that delayed the commencement of the park was that the Council had asked Carlo for a list of trees that should be planted. By all accounts, Carlo was an amiable and genial man, but he must gave despaired at times with all the requests he received from Councils regarding matters, not central to his role as Chief Engineer. In May 1910, the West Gippsland Gazette seemed peeved that Carlo had not provided the list of suitable trees -
It is a great pity that Mr Catani was too busy to give the Council a detailed list of trees suitable for the purpose from a landscape point of view. If he still has too much to do to render this assistance he might be able to recommend a landscape gardener and failing this Mr Guilfoyle, late curator of the Botanical gardens, might be written to. Although almost an invalid from rheumatism he will doubtless be acquainted with the best men in the profession. Failing any such assistance there would be no alternative but for the Park and Gardens committee to meet and draw up an entire scheme of landscape decoration, availing themselves of such local knowledge and experience as is obtainable. Their heart, however, was in the right place as they ended the article with it is however most essential that the trees should be planted.They can then be growing into beauty while the people sleep.(10)
It appears that the council sought no advice elsewhere and by 1911 some Councillors were losing enthusiasm for the park due to its location. It was low-lying, wet and swampy, could not be properly drained and the drop in the temperature from the surrounding country was too great for the spot to be healthy, and the lake there would attract myriads of insects, particularly mosquitoes and snails (11). These sort of discussions went on until 1915, when there are no more reports in the papers that I could find, due no doubt because the Community was focusing on the War effort.
The War had just finished when the West Gippsland Gazette published this attack on the park in January 1919 - The present flat, called "the park," instead of being a blessing, is the bane of Warragul. Because this rich swamp is called a "park," no effort is made to get a real park which would be a boon to the people and a source of joy and gladness and health to the children (12).
The War had just finished when the West Gippsland Gazette published this attack on the park in January 1919 - The present flat, called "the park," instead of being a blessing, is the bane of Warragul. Because this rich swamp is called a "park," no effort is made to get a real park which would be a boon to the people and a source of joy and gladness and health to the children (12).
Thus after thirty years the Council made a decision and sold off some of the park and purchased ten acres, between Albert and Clifford Street, north of the town on much higher land. The West Gippsland Gazette praised the Council for this decision as, for a start, it did not cost the ratepayers any money and secondly when properly laid out and developed will constitute a beauty spot second to none in Gippsland. The curator of the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Mr. Cronin (13), recently visited Warragul at the invitation of the council, and has kindly consented to apply his landscape gardening ability to the laying out and beautification of the park (14).
Once again, things seemed to take a long time to get going and it wasn't until 1926 that some landscaping was done as much of the Council's budget needed to be spent on roads -
The open space with the line of trees is, I believe, Civic Park - the street with the five small cottages fronting it is Albert Street.
Panorama of Warragul Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co.State Library of Victoria Image H32492/3594
Once again, things seemed to take a long time to get going and it wasn't until 1926 that some landscaping was done as much of the Council's budget needed to be spent on roads -
but it is only now that a little money has been available to set about the work in earnest. Some thing over a hundred pounds was spent upon it in laying paths some time ago, and although these have been grown over since, they will cost less to restore, than if the Council had to begin do novo. The money for this work was furnished by the Government in order to give employment to returned soldiers at a time when there was much distress in Melbourne through the scarcity of work. (15). In the July a fence was erected around the park and planting commenced and by 1927, 120 trees had been planted (16).
The Shire was very lucky that Veterinary Surgeon D. T. Jones, who is an enthusiastic flower lover lived in the area - Dr. Jones offered the Council to donate and plant bulbs and other flowers, in the raised ornamental oval at the entrance. He did so, and as mentioned last week, this spot has been a blaze of color, with the magnificent blooms of 500 choicest gladioli, including nearly seventy varieties....In addition to gladioli, there are clarkias, cosmos, dahlias, and other flowers, which indicate what it is possible to do in this, the people's park "Doc." Jones, indeed, has set a splendid example of citizenship (17).
Finally the people of Warragul had a park, which is still there and now named Civic Park. I assume the name change happened around the time the new Warragul Shire Offices were opened in Albert Street in March 1965 (18). I have three books on the history of Warragul and none of them have a photo of the park or a plan. The Path of Progress: from forests of yesterday to homes of to-day by Hugh Copeland (Shire of Warragul, 1934) had this to say about the park - Improvements to the public park had been considered by the Council, and the assistance of the late C. Catani was obtained, who designed a complete plan for laying out the grounds. A small portion of the design was afterwards carried out, but very little of the work suggested by Catani has since been attempted. Interestingly, he doesn't mention that the park had two locations, however some of the plantings may remain in the old park, now called the Burke Street Park which has a lot of netball courts, a caravan park, a bowling club, an athletic track and some nice looking treed areas. Certainly, Carlo had no hand in the design of the Civic Park.
We will finish off this post with this letter to the Editor of the West Gippsland Gazette of April 24, 1928 - which sums up the Council inertia and inadequate activity regarding the park in Warragul -
Sir - The action of the Warragul Shire Council in providing a recreation ground for children in the Albert Street park is to be commended but many mothers and others in charge of children often like to go with the little ones. At present, however, the only means of entry is through a hole in a barbed wire fence. This is not only awkward, but dangerous, and keeps many away. Would it not be possible to have a small gate provided? It would be much appreciated.- Yours, etc. PARENT. (19).
The Shire was very lucky that Veterinary Surgeon D. T. Jones, who is an enthusiastic flower lover lived in the area - Dr. Jones offered the Council to donate and plant bulbs and other flowers, in the raised ornamental oval at the entrance. He did so, and as mentioned last week, this spot has been a blaze of color, with the magnificent blooms of 500 choicest gladioli, including nearly seventy varieties....In addition to gladioli, there are clarkias, cosmos, dahlias, and other flowers, which indicate what it is possible to do in this, the people's park "Doc." Jones, indeed, has set a splendid example of citizenship (17).
Finally the people of Warragul had a park, which is still there and now named Civic Park. I assume the name change happened around the time the new Warragul Shire Offices were opened in Albert Street in March 1965 (18). I have three books on the history of Warragul and none of them have a photo of the park or a plan. The Path of Progress: from forests of yesterday to homes of to-day by Hugh Copeland (Shire of Warragul, 1934) had this to say about the park - Improvements to the public park had been considered by the Council, and the assistance of the late C. Catani was obtained, who designed a complete plan for laying out the grounds. A small portion of the design was afterwards carried out, but very little of the work suggested by Catani has since been attempted. Interestingly, he doesn't mention that the park had two locations, however some of the plantings may remain in the old park, now called the Burke Street Park which has a lot of netball courts, a caravan park, a bowling club, an athletic track and some nice looking treed areas. Certainly, Carlo had no hand in the design of the Civic Park.
We will finish off this post with this letter to the Editor of the West Gippsland Gazette of April 24, 1928 - which sums up the Council inertia and inadequate activity regarding the park in Warragul -
Sir - The action of the Warragul Shire Council in providing a recreation ground for children in the Albert Street park is to be commended but many mothers and others in charge of children often like to go with the little ones. At present, however, the only means of entry is through a hole in a barbed wire fence. This is not only awkward, but dangerous, and keeps many away. Would it not be possible to have a small gate provided? It would be much appreciated.- Yours, etc. PARENT. (19).
Yes, 40 years after being granted land for a park, the Council seemingly could not plan for something as simple and necessary as a gate.
Trove list - I have created a list of articles on the history of Warragul Park on Trove, access the list, here.
Footnotes
(1) Warragul Guardian, April 14, 1891, see here.
(2) Warragul Guardian, May 4 1894, see here.
(3) West Gippsland Gazette, October 4, 1898, see here.
(4) West Gippsland Gazette, February 18, 1908, see here.
(5) West Gippsland Gazette, May 5, 1908, see here.
(6) Yarragon Settlement News, June 25, 1908, see here.
(7) West Gippsland Gazette of July 7, 1908, see here.
(8) The Age, June 23, 1908, see here.
(9) West Gippsland Gazette, June 22, 1909 see here.
(10) West Gippsland Gazette, May 31, 1910, see here.
(11) Yarragon Settlement News, February 20, 1913, see here.
(12) West Gippsland Gazette, January 7, 1919, see here.
(13) John Cronin (1865 - 1923) Mr Cronin was born at Clunes and was the first Australian born director of the Royal Botanic Gardens. He started at the Gardens in 1898, under William Guilfoyle, previously having been at the Department of Agriculture. In 1908 he became the Principal of the Burnley Horticultural College, but resigned the following year to take over from William Guilfoyle, who had retired, as the Director of the Gardens. His time at the gardens was influenced by a drought, lack of funds and labour due to the First World War and by the fact that he was seriously ill with cancer. (People and Plants: a history of gardening in Victoria by Mary Ellis (published by the author, in 2003).
(14) West Gippsland Gazette of July 15, 1919, see here.
(15) West Gipplsand Gazette, June 8, 1926, see here.
(16) West Gippsland Gazette, June 28 1927, see here.
(17) West Gippsland Gazette, February 8, 1927, see here,
(18) Forests old, pastures new: a history of Warragul by Sally Wilde (Shire of Warragul, 1988), p. 294
(19) West Gippsland Gazette of April 24, 1928, see here.
