Princes Walk Palms

In 1888 the new Princes bridge over the Yarra River was completed. It was designed by the firm of Jenkins, D'Ebro and Grainger  - J.S. Jenkins, Charles D'Ebro and John Harry Grainger, the father of Percy Grainger, the musician (1). The bridge required the Yarra Bank Road to the east to be realigned and the road was built up on top of vaults which were constructed in 1889/1890 and opened on to a walkway  along the Yarra River.  The new walkway was called Princes Walk and the vaults were known as Princes Walk Vaults (2).   In July 1913, the Melbourne City Council renamed this eastern portion of Yarra Bank Road, Batman Avenue (3).  The name was suggested by the Historical Society of Victoria to honour John Batman (1801-1839) the Melbourne pioneer.

Report of Melbourne City Council meeting, where the decision to use the name Princes Walk was made.

The Age February 10, 1891 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201461346

 Princes Walk. 

River Yarra at Princes Bridge, Melbourne. Photographer: Charles Rudd (1849-1901)

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/300243

Around 1901, nine palm trees were planted along the Princes Walk. At this time Carlo Catani was responsible for the Yarra River improvement and beautification works. Carlo had prepared the plans for straightening and widening the Yarra and the entire project was carried out under his direction and supervision. He also designed Alexandra Avenue, which runs alongside the Yarra and which was officially opened on May 17, 1901. The Alexandra Gardens, across the Yarra River from Princes Walk, were also designed by Carlo, in conjunction with the curator, George Cooper. The fact that Carlo was intricately involved with these Yarra beautification works, suggests that he was responsible for the planting of these palm trees. This post looks at the history of the nine palms - the Princes Walk Palms - which Melburnians either loved or loathed.

The earliest photo I could find of the Princes Walk palm trees, c. 1904.

Yarra River and Princes Bridge. Photographer: Robert Scott.

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/67461 SLV have this photo incorrectly dated as c. 1920.

Spectators on the north bank of the Yarra amongst the Princes Walk Palms, 1906.

Henley Regatta, Melbourne. Photographer: Robert Scott

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/54591

The Princes Walk Palms grew to become part of Melbourne's skyline and formed part of the backdrop for many Henley on Yarra Regattas. The Henley on Yarra races commenced in 1903 (4), and spectators lined up on both sides of the Yarra to view the race. So popular was this regatta that in 1908, Carlo Catani and George Cooper laid  out the Henley Lawn in the Alexandra Gardens.

Spectators amongst the Princes Walk Palms. I believe this photo was taken c. 1907.

Henley on the Yarra. Photographer: George Rose. 

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/361634 SLV have this photo incorrectly dated as c. 1890-1900.

The Princes Walk Palms also appeared in many photos and postcards.

The Princes Walk Palms, c. 1908

River Yarra from Princes Bridge. 

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/383210

A view of the palms, Princes Bridge and the Ferry Alexandra, 1917.

Princes Bridge. Public Works Department photographer.

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/69688

Aerial view of Melbourne, c. 1927/1928. The Princes Walk Palms are standing proud, on the left.

Russell Street and Collins Street, looking south across Princes Bridge. Photographer: Airspy

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/283337

The Princes Walk Palms viewed from the south bank of the Yarra River, September 1929.

Princes Bridge, Melbourne. 

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/336908 

The first report that I could find that some Melburnians were not entirely enamoured with these nine palms was in August 1933, when the artist, Arthur Streeton had an article published  in The Argus. The article was about improving the City's gateway and he firstly commented on some on our grand bluestone buildings as Parliament House and the Victoria Barracks  and he noted that all the bluestone came from the north of Melbourne and none from south of the Yarra. He continued with attention it is remarkable how many "broken tooth looking," useless rocks have been transported from the north to the south side of the Yarra. For many years many thousands of them have been used by landscape gardeners for "decoration" and other purposes between Domain road and Prince's Bridge, along St Kilda road. Streeton also disliked  the forlorn row of nine palm trees north of the bridge waves rigged green heads against the motley of Flinders street architecture. The enormous bulk of their shabby skirts might have been dragged from the mud of the Yarra.  His two suggestions for improving Melbourne gateway were the removal of the stones and rockeries and  the removal of the nine tall palms - and all others like them--running eastward from the bridge, and the replacement of the palms with another row of Lombardy poplars (5).

Another letter writer agreed and  hoped that if Mr Streeton's letter would help towards sounding the death knell of those terrible palms on the north bank of the Yarra, Melbourne should be eternally grateful (6). 

1934 was a mixed year for the palms. In the February, The Herald, had a photograph of the palms with the caption -  The Nine Palms of Princes Bridge, destined perhaps to rival "Under the Clocks" at Flinders Street station as a trysting place for Youth and Beauty (7). In the July the palm trees were featured in a view of Melbourne on stamps issued to celebrate Victoria's centenary (8).

The Yarra River and the Princes Walk Palms on the Centenary of Victoria stamps, issued July 1934.

Image: EBay.

In August 1934, Clare Lyle, Lady Lyle (9) wrote to the The Argus in support of the palms Nine stately palms, perhaps 30ft high, stand guard on the Yarra bank between Flinders street railway station and the river. Their uncommon beauty is remarkable. I know of no others like them. Report has it that they are to be destroyed. I cannot believe such a thing to be possible. There could be no excuse (10).

A letter, written by George Brown, in response took issue with Lady Lyle's description of the palms - "Their uncommon beauty is remarkable; I know of no others like them." To those viewing them daily such a description must cause surprise, and is very misleading to those at a distance. The palms Brahea Alífera, or "thread palm," have unsightly stems approximately 35ft. high, capped with few and half-starved leaves; forlorn objects which, having had their day and having fulfilled their purpose, must give place to things more in keeping with the position and changing conditions (11).

Mr Brown's letter brings up the issue of what sort of palms these were; he called the Brahea Alífera, or "thread palm. The Argus in July 1931 called them cotton palms (12). The Newcastle Morning Herald identified them as belonging to the Washingtonia genus (13). A friend of mine, experienced in municipal gardening, says they are the Washingtonia filifera palm. The palms may have been purchased from Cremorne nursery, in nearby in Richmond - they were reported to raise thousands of various palms every year of and for drawing-room and table decoration the tender varieties cannot be excelled, whilst the hardy specimens form excellent plants for the lawn or flower border (14).

It was in 1935 that the first rumblings were heard from the Melbourne City Council about the palms - The stately palms along the north bank of the Yarra near Prince's Bridge may be removed if a plan prepared by the curator of parks and gardens (Mr. J. T. Smith) is adopted. Mr. Smith admits that the palms have a strong sentimental value, particularly for artists who like to paint Melbourne from the opposite bank, but several members of the parks and gardens committee consider that they have a dirty, shabby appearance and should be replaced by more attractive trees. The estimated cost was  £8,000 which also included regrading of the lawn and  extending the path (15).

In 1936 there were the occasional letters in support of the palms  from time to time civic reformers gaze sorrowfully at the nine palms on the Yarra bank near Princes Bridge, and cry aloud that they should be removed. But if eccentricity in man is tolerated to add a little to the gaiety of nations, why should eccentricity in Nature be condemned? Nature would be dull if she reduced everything to a dead level of uniformity. She has her more whimsical moods, and the Nine Palms of the Yarra Bank betray her wholesome sense of humor (16). 

Also in  April 1936 The Herald conducted a vox pop on the issue -  while the problem of the palms on Princes Walk is looming large to the City Council, and strenuous debate about whether they should be removed is likely, public opinion, as represented by the first half dozen people met on a reporter's ramble at Princes Bridge today is almost unanimous that the nine palm should stay. One of those interviewed, Phil Boreham, a ferry attendant,  had this to say I do know that had it not been for them during the floods of December 1934, many expensive boats and ferries would have been lost. The river came right up past our mooring pasts, and we hurriedly roped up all the boats to the bases of the palms. They were all that held them (17).

Boats and Ferries tied to the Princes Walk Palms in the December 1934 flood.

Floods, Yarra from Princes Bridge.

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/47091

It was fortunate that The Herald reporter did not ask, Cr Nettlefold of the Melbourne City Council because he described them as feather dusters and moulting ostriches and said they should be removed without delay (18).  His fellow councillor, Cr Stapley described them as  grotesque-looking things and that  it is now impossible for our employees to keep the foliage nicely cut. The trunks are very frail and to place a ladder against them would be risky. Cr Stapley did give this assurance that we will consider from every angle the possibilities of putting some other form of plant life to their place, before any decision to remove them is made (19). 

Princes Walk, 1940s. Photographer: Athol W. Moore.

Melbourne Street and Surrounds

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/4207111

The Princes Walk Palms, c. 1940.

Princes Walk ferry terminal. 

State Library of  Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/383632

The Princes Walk Palms, c. 1940

River Yarra

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/4246261

Elevated view of  Flinders Street Station, the Yarra and the Princes Walk Palms. A near identical photo at the State Library states that it was taken from the Nicholas Building.  There is a War Savings Certificate advertising hoarding on the roof of the railway walkway, so this dates the photo to c. 1945.

St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Elevated view from corner Swanston & Flinders, looking across Princes Bridge to station. Photographer: Victorian Railways

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/97458 SLV have this dated as c. 1945-1954.

Rose Series postcard showing the Palms, from Princes Walk. 

Princes Bridge, Melbourne, Vic. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. Undated.

Rose Series postcard showing the Palms, from the south bank of the Yarra River

Looking across the Yarra, Melbourne, Vic. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. Undated.

We then read nothing of the fate of these palms for many year as the focus was on the War effort, but the Council were just biding their time and in September 1946, the made a decision in secret to destroy the palms. What follows is the time-line of the destruction of the palms

Wednesday, September 25 - The Melbourne City Council makes the decision to cut down the palms (20).

Wednesday, October 2 - The Herald reports that a Death sentence on the nine tall, palm trees on the water's edge in Princes Walk, at Princes Bridge was pronounced by the City Council's Parks and Gardens Committee a week ago. The reason:  the trees were too tall to trim, and falling branches constituted a danger to pedestrians (21). 

Thursday, October 3 - The Argus reported that Seven of the nine famous palms which line the north bank of the Yarra above Princes Bridge were still standing last night. Two had fallen to the axe during the day (22).

Thursday, October 3 - The Herald reported that the chairman of the City Council's Parks and Gardens Committee (Cr. W. J. Brens) today replied to criticism of his committee's action in ordering the removal of the palm trees in Princes Walk. He claimed at no time does the committee remove trees by stealth and that the decision not to tell the Press of the Council's decision was an oversight. Cr Brens also said that I know of no case where a person has been injured but numerous complaints that the trees are dangerous have reached the committee over a period of years. The fronds have long sharp spikes, and the committee thought it wise to remove the trees before a serious accident did occur (23). 

Friday, October 4 - Councillor Sir Harold GengouIt Smith is exploring the possibility of saving the five Palm trees still standing in Princes Walk (24). On the same day Cr Brens says that the parks and gardens committee had no intention of reversing its decision that all nine palms must go (25).

Friday, October 4 -  The Herald  published five letters on the palm trees, and the writers described the trees as  gaunt bedraggled relics of the Victorian era  and ugly and unsightly - those writers clearly agreed with Cr Brens.  One writer agreed with Sir Harold and called the palms unequalled in Victoria in grace and charm of setting (26).

Saturday, October 5 - The Argus reported there were five palms still standing (27).

Wednesday, October 9 - the last of the palms were removed (28).

Thursday, October  10 - The Argus reported that Cr Brens, chairman of the parks and gardens committee of the City Council, said last night that suitable replacements for the trees would be considered at next Wednesday's meeting of the committee (29).

The last palm standing.

The Herald  October 9, 1946 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/245524982?

In spite of Cr Brens saying that replacement trees will be planted and  in spite of Cr Stapley giving an assurance in 1936 that the trees will be replaced  in January 1947 a letter writer to The Age pointed out that no such trees had been planted (30).  No wonder the Melbourne City Council made the decision in secret and did not announce it, their objective all along seems to have been the destruction of the Princes Walk Palms and that they had no intention of replacing them at all.

We will give the then Premier of Victoria, Mr Cain (31) the last words on the subject of the destruction of the palms, as reported in The Argus, October 3, 1946 - Many Australians seem to be born with an axe in their hands, and to develop a constant urge to chop down trees. It seems that Melbourne could do with a few real beauty specialists to counteract the growing obsession for destroying trees it has taken many years to grow," Mr Cain declared. "Melbourne's green belt is something to be proud of, but it appears that a society will eventually have to be formed for the prevention of destruction of trees." (32)

Acknowledgement and Trove list

The first time I heard of the Princes Walk Palms, was when my research colleague, Isaac Hermann, pointed them out when we were looking at this postcard. He recalled that Professor Bill Russell had mentioned them during his Melbourne Day lecture held at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria in August 2018. Professor Russell's lecture, Revisiting Catani, was part of a programme of events held to commemorate the centenary of Carlo Catani's death. 

I then did some research on Trove and went through hundreds of photographs on the State Library of Victoria website, looking for any photo with even a glimpse of the Princes Walk Palms.  These articles and links to about 40 photographs are on my Trove list, which you can access here.

Sources

(1) The Princes Bridge citation on the Victorian Heritage database can be read here. You can read more about John Grainger on Culture Victoria, here.

(2) The Princes Walk Vaults citation on the Victorian Heritage database can be read here.

(3) The Herald, July 28, 1913, see here.

(4) The history of the Henley on Yarra can be found here.

(5) The Argus, August 5, 1933, see here.

(6) The Argus, August 8, 1933, see here.

(7) The Herald, February 27, 1934, see here.

(8) I discovered the information about the postage stamps in this article in The Herald, October 2, 1946, see here. 

(9) Clare, Lady Lyle, was the wife of Sir Thomas Ranken Lyle, a mathematical physicist, you can read about him in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here. Lady Lyle was prolific 'letters to the Editor' writer mainly about animal welfare, especially dogs.

(10) The Argus August 11, 1934, see here.

(11) The Argus, August 18, 1934, see here.

(12) The Argus, July 18, 1931, see here.

(13) Newcastle Morning Herald, June 19 1937, see here.

(14) The Leader, September 7, 1901, see here.

(15) The Argus, July 27, 1935, see here.

(16) The Herald, April 3, 1936, see here.

(17) The Herald, April 16, 1936, see here.

(18) The Argus, April 16, 1936, see here.

(19) The Herald, April 18, 1936, see here.

(20) The Herald, October 2, 1946, see here.

(21) The Herald, October 2, 1946, see here.

(22) The Argus, October 3, 1946, see here.

(23) The Herald, October 3, 1946, see here.

(24) The Herald, October 4, 1946, see here.

(25) The Herald, October 4, 1946, see here.

(26) The Herald, October 4, 1946, see here.

(27) The Argus, October 5, 1946, see here.

(28) The Argus, October 10, 1946, see here.

(29) The Argus, October 20, 1946, see here.

(30) The Age, January 29, 1947, see here.

(31) John Cain (1882 - 1957), Premier  of Victoria. Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.

(32) The Argus, October 2, 1946, see here.

Enrico Catani - life on his farm at Kyneton

Enrico Ferdinando Catani was born January 19, 1891 - he was Carlo and Catherine's third child. He was Killed in Action in France on July 29, 1916. You can read about his military service in his entry in the book War Services of Old Melburnians here. I have also written about his military service and his time as a student at Melbourne Grammar and Dookie Agricultural College in this post, here. Enrico was a talented sportsman and you can read his sporting exploits, here. In this post we will look at his career as a farmer and his time in the Kyneton before his enlistment on May 28, 1915.

Life of Promise cut short - Lieutenant E. F. Catani

The Herald August 26 1916  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242387087

Enrico studied for three years at Dookie, from 1910 to 1912. He then took up a farm, Glenvale, at Pastoria East near Kyneton. The address of the farm is also listed as Baynton. The 1914 Electoral Roll has Enrico's address as Pastoria East, but the clearing sale notice (more of which later) has the farm at Baynton - which is north east of Pastoria East.

I had wondered how Enrico, an new graduate, could afford  a farm, and the answer was found in this newspaper report of a meeting of the Kyneton Shire. In the Correspondence it was reported that they had received a letter from Mrs Catani, of Wyndham.  Clearly this was actually from Mrs Catani, of Wyndham - the name of their house, in St Kilda. In the letter, below, she complained about a neighbour,  George Hamilton, who fenced off  some of her property which had a frontage to Jew's Harp Creek. But she also told us that she had bought the property for her son. So that explains how Enrico could afford his own farm.

Mrs Catani's complaint to the Kyneton Council

Kyneton Guardian, January 11 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129591953

Once Enrico moved to the area he was soon involved in the community life - he played tennis, cricket and football for local teams (read more here.) He was also a member of the Kyneton Agricultural Society and was elected to the Committee in March 1914 (1).  Enrico also joined the Kyneton Twenty Club.  This club seemed to originally consist of twenty members and I presume the club was like a service club as it did good work and showed excellent results. By August 1915, ten of the original twenty members had enlisted  so the membership of the Club was a relatively young group of men (2).

Dances were a popular activity and in August 1914  a group of Kyneton men sponsored  a dance at the Mechanics' Institute and one of these men was Enrico.  A report said the weather was beautiful, the floor as smooth as glass, the music beautiful and the hosts most attentive to the pleasure of their guests.  One of Enrico's sister's is listed amongst the guests (3).

Before Enrico enlisted he was a member of the Kyneton Citizens Forces, part of the 66th Infantry headed by Captain Hurry.  Enrico was a Lieutenant. George Hurry, born in 1884 in Kyneton, had also attended Melbourne Grammar. He was Killed in Action on October 18, 1917. Enrico was clearly suited to military life as he had been a Cadet at Melbourne Grammar.

Enrico as a Melbourne Grammar cadet.

The Leader, June 27, 1908  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198108816?

All this life of community service and activity in the Kyneton area came to an end when he enlisted in May 1915.  Enrico's time at Kyneton was short but his impact was great. This is from a  touching obituary in the Kyneton Guardian  - There was an ache in many hearts in Kyneton district on Saturday afternoon when, it became known that Lieutenant E. F. Catani on July 29 had fallen on the field of honor in France, for during the three years or so that he had lived in the district he had gained many firm and steadfast friends. Overflowing with kind-hearted friendliness, a true sport, with an intense joy in life, playing the game, a true comrade and a staunch friend, interest in his life's work and keen to do his duty to the land in which he was born and which his father had adopted as his own, Lieut. Catani seemed to have life before him ; but that was not for him, the "destined will," and so when duty called "he went but returns not." There seemed to be a feeling in many minds in Kyneton that "Puss" Catani would not return. He was so full of keen daring, so eager to be in the thick of the fray, so ready to look in the bright face of danger and laugh at it. (4)

Enrico had attended St Paul's Church of England in Kyneton and a memorial service was held for him and two others in September 1916. The service was conducted by Archdeacon Bishop who said this about Enrico - Lieut. Catani had spent a few years only of his early manhood amongst them and had earned a reputation for kind heartedness and cheery helpfulness, manliness and pluck, and to him death was an end to an honorable career (5).

Memorial service held for Enrico

Kyneton Guardian September 5, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129597869?

After Enrico's death his father Carlo had the sad task of putting the property up for sale and this he did a mere four months before his own death  on July 20, 1918. I presume a manager was employed to keep the farm operating during Enrico's absence and after his death, The clearing sale was held on March 15, 1918, and the property had already been sold. The advertisement (6) for the clearing sale gives us some idea of Enrico's farming enterprise and household.

Live Stock: 150 comeback and crossbred ewes (young); Three rams (Corriedale); 22 mixed weaners; Two wethers; about 100 full-mouth comeback ewes (mouths guaranteed), pure Lincoln rams joined February 1st; One young mare, supposed in foal; One aged mare; One horse, five years old; One colt, two years old.

Implements: One McCormick reaper and binder (good); One drill; One 3-furrow plough; One set 3 leaf harrows; One waggon; One dray; One buggy; One buggy (new by Hoyle Bros.); One horse-works; One chaffcutter; One forest devil; Sundry tools.

Furniture, Etc.: Single and double beds; stretcher; chest drawers; chairs; sofa; table; sideboard; lamps; cooking utensils; crockery etc.

The day before Enrico was killed, Carlo had received a cable message from  him (7) with just three words - Well: Busy: Love. This sums up Enrico's life  - Well: athletic, happy and healthy.  Busy:  busy with social, community and farming activities. Loved: loved by his family, loved his family, loved by his friends and loved by his community.


Trove list: I have created a list of articles on Trove relating to Enrico's life in the Kyneton district. You can access it here.

Footnotes:
(1) Kyneton Guardian March 24, 1914, see here.
(2) Kyneton Guardian August 14, 1915, see here.
(3) Punch August 20, 1914, see here.
(4) Kyneton Guardian August 29, 1916, see here.
(5) Kyneton Guardian September 5, 1916, see here.
(6) Kyneton Guardian March 12, 1918, see here.
(7) The Herald August 26, 1916 see here.

Enrico Catani - life on the sports field

Carlo's son, Enrico, enlisted on April 28, 1915 and he was Killed in Action, fighting in France, on July 29, 1916 (1). Enrico was a keen footballer and cricketer and all-round sport...... He was  overflowing with kind-hearted friendliness, a true sport, with an intense joy in life, playing the game, a true comrade and a staunch friend, interest in his life's work and keen to do his duty to the land in which he was born and which his father had adopted as his own according to his obituary in the Kyneton Guardian of August 29 1916 (see here)  His obituary was titled Dead on the field of honor, a fitting headline for a man who spent time on the football and cricket field.

Melbourne Grammar's Football team 1909. Enrico is back row on the left.

Weekly Times  June 19, 1909  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222258328

In June 1909, Enrico, was photographed with the rest of the Melbourne Grammar Football team, he is shown above, standing on the far left.  In July just after this photograph was taken the team went to Adelaide to play intercollegiate football. They played three matches against the School of Mines, St Peters College and Prince Alfred College. Against the School of Mines Enrico, who played on the wing, was listed as a good performer (2) and as one of their most prominent players (3). Against Prince Alfred College he was described as one of Melbourne Grammar's best players (4).

In 1910,  Enrico was at Dookie Agricultural College and played in the football team which was in a competition with local teams - in a match against Devenish he was reported as playing some nice football (5).  When he was at Dookie he also competed at the Sports Day in the 100 yards foot race. Enrico also played Lacrosse for a Melbourne Grammar team when he was at Dookie. There is a report in May 1911 that he played, and scored a goal, in Section C of a Lacrosse league based in Melbourne (6). After Enrico finished at Dookie College, he graduated in 1912,  he farmed a property at Baynton, near Kyneton, where he played both football and cricket. In 1913,  he was playing football  for the Old Collegians  and he did many fine things on the centre wing (7).  In February 1914, Enrico played cricket in a Kyneton vs Farmers match - so the town versus the local farmers. Enrico batted at No. 3 for the Farmers team (8).  Also in 1914, in days of calm until the Great War blew their lives apart, Enrico and other members of the Kyneton Tennis Club played against the 'Mucklebah' Club from St Kilda, who travelled up to Kyneton for the matches. Kyneton won the tournament which consisted of four doubles matches (9). I don't know the significance of the name 'Mucklebah' - the St Kilda team was possibly just a group of chaps that Enrico knew from his school days at Melbourne Grammar.

 After his death at the age of 25 his obituary in The Age noted that he was well known as an athlete (10). The Kyneton Guardian had this tribute to Enrico and his fellow footballers - It is now some considerable time since the turf on Barkly Square has been disturbed by footballers but to hear the shouts of the barrackers for ......Kyneton, turned one's thoughts to the good old days when the "older bloods'' hearing the same name played such a prominent part in the football matches on Barkly Square. Most of them now are playing the greater game "some where in France," whilst Leslie Powell, Charlie Fincher. "Puss" Catani, Harry Grant, etc., have made the supreme sacrifice for "Australia and Liberty." Who could witness a football match on Barkly Square without feeling  a thrill of admiration for these fine, manly fellows; admiration now doubly keen because they have played so well in the last great game of all (11). 

....................................................................................................................................................................................

Footnotes - 
(1) You can read about Enrico's military service here in his entry in War Services of Old Melburnians. My post, see here, about his connection to Archer Peck also has information about his military service as well as his school days.
(2) The Argus July 8, 1909, see here
(3) Adelaide Express & Telegraph July 8, 1909 see here
(4) Adelaide Register July 14, 1909, see here
(5) Benalla Standard July 1, 1910, see here
(6) The Herald, May 5, 1911, see here.
(7) Mount Alexander Mail August 15, 1913, see here
(8) Kyneton Guardian February 19, 1914, see here
(9) Kyneton Guardian July 28, 1914, see here
(10) The Age August 28, 1916 see here
(11) Kyneton Guardian May 21, 1918, see here

Trove List - all the articles quoted in the post, plus others relating to Enrico and his sporting activities are in a list I have created on Trove, access it here.

A portrait of Carlo Catani

I went to a meeting of the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society last night and I am sitting there during the meeting looking at the pictures they have on the wall and  I think 'that looks like Carlo' and I have a closer look as soon as the meeting was over and it was Carlo! To say I was excited is an understatement.

This is the portrait  of Carlo. The Berwick Pakenham Historical Society meet in the old Shire Offices in Pakenham and this is hanging in the Council Chambers which has a really high vaulted ceiling and the portrait was about fifteen feet from the floor and I only had my phone, so it was hard to take  a good photo. Thank you to Paul Caine for improving and adjusting the image. There is a photo at the bottom of this post which shows all the frame.

This is the caption  - 

C. CATANI, C.E.

Late Chief Engineer

Public Works Department

Presented to the Iona & District Pioneers Association by

Geo. Clowser, J.P. Secretary for Public Works

6 July 1923

I knew about the existence of this portrait as I had come across a reference to it in Trove

George Clowser presents a portrait of Carlo Catani to the Pioneers' Association of Iona.

The Argus, December 1 1923  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1982329

The short newspaper report reads - At the annual banquet of the Pioneers' Association of Iona an enlarged  framed photograph of the late Mr Catani was presented to the hall committee by Mr G. Clowser, secretary for public works, who was formerly pay-master of the settlement when the swamp was first opened up, and Mr Catani was the engineer. Mr O. Kavanagh (president) accepted the gift on behalf on the committee. It is interesting that the date on the portrait appears to be 6  July 1923 and the article is from December 1923, so if the newspaper report is correct it took a few months for the portrait to actually be presented.  George Clowser died  very shortly after he made this presentation at Iona, he passed away January 22, 1924 at only 61 years of age, so perhaps his ill health caused the delay in the presentation. As the pay-master for the Public Works Department, George had a connection to many of Carlo Catani's project and obviously held him in high esteem. I plan to do a blog post on George Clowser in the future.

The next question is why is this portrait at the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society? We will start with a short history of the Society. The Berwick Pakenham Historical Society was formed in 1962 as the Historical Society of Berwick Shire and when the Berwick Shire split in 1973 to form the City of Berwick and the Shire of Pakenham they changed their name to the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society. The old Berwick Shire  covered the area from the Dandenong Creek all the way east along the railway line through to Bunyip, north to Narre Warren North, Harkaway, Cockatoo and Gembrook etc and south of the line to a small section of the old Koo Wee Rup Swamp - Nar Nar Goon South, Cora Lynn, Vervale and Iona. Iona, of course, being the location where George Clowser presented the portrait.

Iona was a Village Settlement on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. The Village Settlement concept was introduced to the newly drained Swamp by Carlo Catani.  The 1890s was a time of economic depression in Australia and various Government Schemes were implemented to provide employment and to stop the drift of the unemployed to the city. One of these schemes was the Village Settlement Scheme. The aim was for the settlers to find employment outside the city and to boost their income from the sale of produce from their farms. Under this Scheme, all workers had to be married, accept a 20 acre (8 hectares) block and spend a fortnight working on the drains for wages and a fortnight improving their block and maintaining adjoining drains. The villages were Koo Wee Rup, Five Mile, Cora Lynn, Vervale, Iona and Yallock. The first 103 blocks under this scheme were allocated in April 1893.  

Iona soon developed into a small community and the Pioneers' Hall was opened on April 26, 1895 (1) and it was in this Hall that the portrait of Carlo Catani resided. I  have written a history of the Pioneers' Hall, here. I am unsure when the Hall was demolished - maybe the 1940s or a bit earlier.  Anyway,  my theory is that the portrait was stored somewhere after the hall was demolished and donated to the Historical Society of Berwick Shire after its formation in 1962.

The Pioneers' Hall at Iona where the portrait of Carlo resided after  it was presented by George Clowser. 

The Advocate, November 16, 1922  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page20363246

The Iona Pioneers' Hall Committee. Mr O. Kavanagh, who was President of the hall committee is seated in the middle in the front (see footnote 2 for the other names) 

It was Mr Kavanagh who accepted the portrait of Carlo from George Clowser.

The Advocate, November 16, 1922  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page20363246

Who was the photographer? I don't know that but the same portrait was published in the The Herald of February 15, 1917, see below. The paper had a tribute to Carlo, who had just announced his retirement from the Public Works Department, read it here.  The headline of the tribute was Works of use and beauty will be his monument. He brought Italy's charm to bear on service here.

Portrait of Carlo Catani.

The Herald February 15, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242453435

Coming across this framed portrait of Carlo at Berwick Pakenham Historical Society has also solved another mystery as we have this same photograph at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society and I didn't know where it came from as it seemed to be the only portrait of Carlo in a public collection.  I have used the Koo Wee Rup photo before in this blog (and some of my other blogs)  and more recently it has been used by CO. AS. IT, the Italian Historical Society in their exhibition Carlo Catani: Visionary, Creator, Genius, which was on display from December 2018 until March 2019 and  the City of Port Phillip on their interpretive sign in the Catani Gardens, see here. The Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society was formed in 1974 and one of the co-founders, Jack Mills, was a very good photographer and I believe he would have taken a photo of the framed portrait and reproduced it for the Koo Wee Rup collection. 

This is the version of the photograph which we have at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society.

My original photo, you can see all the frame. 

Footnotes

(1)  Call of the Bunyip: history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847-1900 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1900)

(2) The men in the hall committee photograph are - back row - left to right - W. Kraft, J. Dowd, W. Browne and C. Grummich. Front row seated - R. Grummich, O. Kavanagh and C.J. Donald. Source: The Advocate November 16, 1922, see here.

Tributes to Carlo

Carlo Catani was the subject of many compliments and tributes when he was alive  here are some of them.Of course, many were bestowed on him posthumously, and you can read these here.

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. 

Mr. Catani, to whose genius and untiring efforts the completion of the work is mainly due.
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. 

 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.