George Clowser, paymaster of the Public Works Department

Carlo Catani and the Public Works Department undertook projects throughout Victoria, men were employed and the men needed to be paid and one of the paymasters was George Clowser. He travelled all over the State in this role and his travels were sometimes written up in newspapers articles. In fact one article said from his adventures in the execution of his duty a most interesting article might be written (1), so I hope this is it.

George Clowser was born on August 18, 1862 at Wild Dog, a gold mining area near Dunolly. His parents, James, a butcher, and Sarah (nee Parkinson) were both born in England, but had married in Castlemaine in 1854. The couple had two other children, Sabina born in 1856, who sadly died in 1862, and Catherine who was born in 1860 (2). George grew up in the Castlemaine area (3) and he entered the Postal Department when it was under the Victorian Government, in 1878, Mr. Clowser was in 1887 transferred to the Public Works Department where he became paymaster on public works (4).

George Clowser

The Herald, August 9, 1912 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241632081#

The Public Works Department (PWD) appears to have been a convival group, for instance at a banquet held in 1893 for the sexagenarians and other officers who have been called upon to sever their connections with the Government service George and others of his colleagues entertained the group with an interesting programme of songs and recitations (5). The banquet was presided over by William Davidson, Inspector General of Public Works. Other sombre functions, such as funerals, were also attended by groups of PWD staff and at the funeral of 59 year old Michael Madden, who had been in the Public Service for 42 years, both George Clowser and William Davidson were pall bearers (6). These were the days when men like George and Michael would enter the Public Service at 15 or 16 years of age and spend all their working life there.

George had the role of paymaster at the PWD and we have some idea of the various locations he travelled to by reports in the newspapers and sometimes there were unexpected incidents. This report was in the Emerald Hill Record in April 1897 -

A lamentable accident happened on Saturday afternoon last when Mr. Percy Ralph Faviell, a retired sugar planter, who had been residing with his wife at the Hotel Victoria, Beaconsfield-parade, Albert Park, met his death in a most remarkable manner. It appeared that deceased was one of a party of gentlemen who went down the bay in the gunboat, Albert, of the Public Works Department, the main object of the trip being to enable Mr. G. Clowser, pay-master in the Department, to visit the dredge John Nimmo in the South Channel for the purpose of giving the hands on that vessel their usual month's

pay. The Minister of Public Works (Mr. Taverner), the chairman of Committee (Mr. F. C. Mason), Messrs. F. G. Tucker (South Melbourne), Sangster (Port Melbourne), and A. L. Tucker (Fitzroy), M's.L.A. and Messrs. John M'Gregor, stock and share broker, of Collins Street, and F. Luxton of Armadale, were of the party, and a pleasant day was experienced until Coode's Canal in the Yarra, was reached on the return journey. It was then about 9.45 and Mr. Faviell was sitting on the gunwale between Messrs. Clowser and Luxton when he appeared to become seized with some sudden spasm, and fell backwards over the side of the vessel into the water. Captain Steele, who was in charge of the gunboat, was immediately informed of the accident, and the cry of "a man overboard" being raised, immediately steps were taken to save the accused..... Mr. Watson, son of the keeper of the Port Melbourne baths, jumped overboard to Mr. Faviell's assistance. Mr. Watson stated that he looked all around the spot but could see no trace of the deceased, who appeared to have sunk immediately, and not risen again to the surface. In spite of  intensive searching that day and the next, Mr Faviell's body was not found until 4.45pm on the Sunday afternoon (7). Mr Faviell was described as being a friend of Mr Tavener and I wonder how frequently PWD vessels were used for what appears to have been a private party - or perhaps George Clowser, the public servant, often worked on a Saturday. 

In September 1901, George was in Boolara and visited the road works carried on by the Public Works Department....and paid the men their fortnight's earnings. The amount paid away was about £230. There were 70 men employed there at the time (8). You can read about the Boolara to Foster Road here.

In June 1908, George visited the 100 men working on the tourist road on Mt Buffalo. They worked under taxing conditions and he spoke to the newspapers about the trip "The men," continued Mr. Clowser, "are supposed to be camped below the snowline. If this place is below the snow line, then my experience must be exceptional. The temperature was down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was very cold, but, the view was glorious yesterday morning. It commenced to snow on Thursday afternoon, and apparently it continued all night. There was so much snow that the men had to rise early and shovel the snow from the tops of the tents to prevent the tents collapsing with the weight of the snow (9). 

George also said "I stayed on Thursday night at Carlisle's Hospice (10), which is higher up Mount Buffalo than The Fount (11). We had to place the whisky bottle which we had with us down by the fire to take the chill off the liquor before we touched it, for it was half-frozen. It is not uncommon thing for bottles of lager beer to become quite frozen. When I went to got a wash yesterday morning all the water in the large jug was a block of ice." (12)

Carlile's Hospice, where George Clowser stayed in 1908

Buffalo Hospice - Carlisle's, c. 1891-1910. Photographer: Reginald Wood

State Library of Victoria Image  H2004.41/18

George Clowser was also the paymaster on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp when the swamp was first opened up (13), which was 1893 onwards. He was very popular there and a writer in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal in August 1903 talked about a function being organised for him - I note, with pleasure that a movement is on foot, initiated at "yon end"  to recognise the genial merits of our popular paymaster, Mr. G. Clowser, of the Public Works department, who may be looked upon as one of the pioneers of Kooweerup, and from his adventures in the execution of his duty a most interesting article might be written. If the proposed purse is weighed in the scale of allround popularity it should be a heavy one. The function takes place in the Public Hall, Kooweerup, on an early date (14). I can't find a report of this function, if it did end up taking place.

George had a number of promotions in the Public Service - in September 1908 he was promoted from fourth to third class;  in August 1912 he was promoted from Acting Chief Clerk of the PWD to Chief Clerk and Accountant; in April 1918 he was the Acting Secretary for Public Works and in October 1920 he was the Acting Permanant Head of the PWD.His salary increase was reported in The Herald - Mr G. Clowser, Chief Clerk (now Acting Secretary) of the Public Works Department, has been promoted from the old second class, (£576) to the head of the first class, and will draw £750 a year. In August 1921, he was also appointed as chairman of the Municipal Auditors' Board (15).

In June 1912 the Officers of the Public Works Department were photographed in a group portrait.  George Clowser is on the right, seated next to Carlo Catani. Next to Carlo is William Davidson, Inspector General of Public Works and next to him is William Edgar, the Minister of Public Works. 

Punch June 20, 1912 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175618291/20484835# 

See footnote 16 for the uncropped photo which was taken by Darge.

George clearly had an impressive career in the Public Service but of course he also had a private life. He was a married man, he had married Alice Walls on September 17, 1888. The marriage took place at her parents house in Carlton by the Reverend D. S. M'Eachran, a Presbyterian Minister.  They had three children -  Irene Alice in 1889; George Charles in 1892 and Ella Beatrice born 1894 (17). George Charles served in the First World War,  he enlisted in February 1915. Young George very optimistic of an early end to the War as The Herald published the following letter he wrote to his father in July 1916 

"We will he home, by Christmas," states Lance-Corporal G. Clowser, of the Motor Transport Corps, in a letter to his father, Mr G. Clowser, Chief Clerk of the Public Works. Corporal Clowser conveyed the impression that he expected a speedy termination of the war, as the French were "very confident" of the success of the operation's proceeding on the west front (18). Sadly, as we know this optimism was misplaced  and George Returned to Australia in April 1918 and was discharged as medically unfit due to neurosis (19). He is pictured below.

Lieutenant George Charles Clowser, 2nd Anzac Corps Troop Supply. 

Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P08589.001

George and Alice lived north of the Yarra for many years - in Fitzroy and from around 1906 to 1922 at Claptonwood, 45 McIlwraith Street, North Carlton. For the last two years of his life they lived at 22 Broadway, Camberwell. George died on January 22, 1924. There was a funeral notice from his family, from the Court Friar Tuck, No. 3194 Ancient Order of Foresters as well as the Lodge of Australasia, No. 3, a Freemasons Lodge. As a matter of interest, William Thwaites, former Chief  Engineer of the Public Works Department (and Carlo's boss) who then held the same position at the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, was also a member of the Lodge of Australasia, No. 3.  Alice Clowser died June 11, 1927 and they are buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery (20). 

Carlo Catani is remembered by Lake Catani on Mount Buffalo, the Catani Gardens at St Kilda and the town of Catani, on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. George Clowser had some role in the naming of the town after his colleague. This report was in the Weekly Times in March 1920 To perpetuate the memory of the late Mr C. Catani, formerly Chief Engineer for Public Works, the Railway Department has decided to name the second station on the Kooweerup-M'Donald's Track line Catani. The tribute was paid on representations made by the Kooweerup Pioneers' Association, through Mr G. Clowser, Chief Clerk of the Public Works Department (21). The town of Catani developed around the railway station.

We have another indication of the respect that George had for his colleague, Carlo Catani, as at the annual banquet of the Pioneers' Associatlon at Iona an enlarged framed photograph of the late Mr. Catani was presented to the hall committee by Mr. G. Clowser, secretary for public work (22). I have written more about this photograph here. 

The photograph of Carlo Catani which George Clowser presented 

to the Iona Hall Committee.

My original photo of this portrait was enhanced by Paul Caine.

Trove list

I have created a list of articles on the personal and professional life of George Clowser on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 5 1903, see here.

(2) Information is from his birth certificate and the Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths & marriages. George's sister Catherine married Stephen Stanford in 1885. She died in St Arnuad in 1918 aged 57.

(3) I am assuming that is where he grew up as in September 1921 he was expected to attend the Old Castlemaine Schoolboys' Association reunion, see Table Talk, September 22, 1921, here.

(4) The Herald, August 9, 1912, see here.

(5) The Herald, July 12, 1893, see here.

(6) The Advocate, August 30, 1902, see here.

(7) The report of the death of Mr Faviell comes from the Emerald Record, April 10, 1897, see here. A report of his inquest can be read in The Herald, April 5, 1897, see here.

(8) Morwell Advertiser, September 21, 1900, see here.

(9) Geelong Advertiser, June 8, 1908, see here.

(10) Carlisle's Hospice - opened by Ted and Mary Jane Carlile in December 1891. It was a full days hike from the Valley. Information from The Mount Buffalo story: 1898-1998 by Dan Webb & Bob Adams (Melbourne University Press, 1998)

(11) It is actually The Font - it is 3,050ft aloft; It is a well of water gushing out of the rock according to The Argus, November 23, 1889, see here.

(12) Geelong Advertiser, June 8, 1908, see here.

(13) The Argus, December 1, 1923, see here.

(14) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 5 1903, see here.

(15) Promotions are taken from reports in the following papers - Geelong Advertiser, September 22, 1908, see here;  The Herald, August 9, 1912, see here; The Herald, April 27, 1918, see here; The Argus, October 7, 1920, see here. Details of his salary increase were in The Herald, October 7, 1920 see here; The Argus, August 10, 1921, see here.  

(16) This is the uncropped photo of the Officers of the Public Works Department from Punch, June 20, 1912. 

Officers of the Public Works Department. Photographer: Darge. 

Punch, June 20, 1912. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175618291/20484835#

(17) Marriage notice was in The Age October 6, 1888, see here. The following information about their children comes from the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages -

Irene Alice born 1889, married  John Albert Wiltshire in 1923 and died in 1980 at Koo Wee Rup, aged 90.

George Charles born 1892, married  Kathleen Mary Reynolds in 1921 and he died in 1981 aged 88.

Ella Beatrice born 1894,  married William Harold Robb in 1916 and she died 1986 aged 91.

(18) The Herald, July 25, 1916, see here.

(19) George's AIF Personnel dossier from the National Archives - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3265861

(20) Their address comes from the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry; his death date comes from his death certificate and his death notice in The Argus, January 23, 1924, see here. His funeral notice was in The Age, January 24, 1924, see here. William Thwaites' funeral notice was in The Argus, November 21, 1907, see here. Alice Clowser's death notice was in The Argus, June 14, 1927, see here. She died after being involved in a bus fire - read report in The Argus, June 24, 1927, see here.

(21) Weekly Times March 6, 1920, see here.

(22) The Argus, December 1 1923, see here. 

Stirling Rogers - Carlo's Engineering Pupil

The Ambassadors Theatre opened in Perth on Saturday, September 29, 1928. This was a grand day for Perth and the Perth Daily News printed a sixteen page supplement describing all aspects of the theatre design, construction and fit-out, which was designed by Charles Bohringer of the firm Bohringer, Taylor and Johnson. 

The theatre was the start of new era in theatre going - The love of beauty was given a fillip that resounded throughout the land, the knowledge of art spread more surely and purely, the study of music became intensified... the investigation of histrionics bore new fruits, and the science of architecture took on a bolder and more aesthetic outlook.

The Dream Fugue of the Ambassadors has culminated in a blaze of real beauty that will bring honor and glory to all connected with it. The theme is one that contains endless variations, variations that will bring joy and sorrow, variations that will find a solatium for the sadness and sorrow that come to all without distinction. The populace will extol the Union Theatres Ltd. for this matchless building, the apotheosis of grace and as beautiful as the curtain of Solomon (1) 

Ambassadors Theatre, Perth, c.1935

State Library of Western Australia Image 095902PD

The paper also had interviews with people involved with the theatre and its construction, including Stirling Rogers, the contractor. It worth quoting in full to give us an idea of Mr Roger's experience and training and the fact that he had a connection to Carlo Catani.

From the time the first sod of earth was turned until the magnificent theatre, which has been fashioned under his expert guidance, throws open its doors to an admiring public, the contractor will have kept a strict eye on the work of construction. Contractors are remarkable men, be cause they seem to possess the faculty of doing several things at once. Mr. Stirling Rogers, contractor for the Ambassadors, has done so at all events. An army of artisans has done its work under his practised eye. They have been engaged at full pressure for fourteen months, but at last the climax has been reached and the public sees and sums up the reward of their labors.

Mr. Rogers has the unique distinction of being the youngest master builder engaged in big construction works in Australia. The foundations of his extensive knowledge were built under the expert tuition of Carlo Catani, formerly Chief Engineer of Public Works in Victoria, and he claims that he could have had no finer tutor. The technical and practical aspects of civil engineering in their entirety were studied by him firstly at London University and afterwards at Melbourne University.

Already claiming a comprehensive knowledge, and expert instruction in the various branches ol his profession, Mr. Rogers, who is now only 29 years of age, served the Australian Navy for some time on the work on hydrograpical surveying. Then he became attached to the Electricity Commission for the stupendous works associated with the brown coal scheme at Yallourn, Victoria. With plenty of practical experience behind him, as well as his embracing theoretical knowledge, Mr Rogers engaged in contracting independently, and as he himself said, from that time onwards 'he did not have a night's rest.' He has been contracting for the fast six years and in that period has been responsible for the constructional work on £750,000 worth of property. Most of this has been represented by theatres, but other works have also been carried out, such as bridge construction, roads and earthworks. A huge gasworks in Melbourne and a big bridge which introduced the first air lock in Australia have been other enterprises on which he has engaged.

It can also be claimed by Mr. Rogers that he was associated with a work of construction which set up a record in Australia for building rapidity. This was the erection of the Green Mill, the first, atmospheric house of entertainment to be built in the Commonwealth. It was finished within six weeks to the minute scheduled for its opening, and at a cost of £30,000. Over 500 men were engaged.

Only recently the company of Stirling Rogers, Ltd., with Mr. Rogers as its head, was formed in this State to engage in construction work in Western Australia. Mr. Rogers retains his business interests in Sydney and Melbourne (2).

Stage of the Ambassadors Theatre, Perth, c. 1928

State Library of Western Australia Image 013021PD

The Perth Truth also interviewed Stirling and reported this tribute to Carlo - Returning to Melbourne [after the War] he completed the serving of his time  with the Victorian Public Works Department under that fine engineer, Carlo Catani. "He was one of the best," says Stirling Rogers, referring to Mr. Catani, "a grand engineer and a grand man, and I owe pretty well all that I am to him." (3) 

Stirling's career began in the Public Works Department in May 1915, however like many men at this time, his career was interrupted by the War and he enlisted in the A.I.F on April 3, 1917 at the age of 18. His occupation was listed as 'pupil engineer' and his file includes this  letter, on Public Works Department letterhead, signed by Carlo Catani (4).

Carlo Catani's reference for Stirling Rogers

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au 

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Carlo's letter reads - 

Public Works Department - Office of Chief Engineer - 22 March 1917
To whom it may concern,
Mr Rogers has been an engineering pupil since the 24th of May, 1915. During that time he has given proof of his intelligence and industry while his conduct has been unreproachable. He has passed with credit the prescribed examination for pupils and I have no doubt he will be found to be a very useful assistant in road-grading and road making, in setting out earth work and similar work in which he has already had valuable work in this department.
Signed C. Catani.

Now we know where and how he met Carlo and he could not have had a finer tutor. After the war had ended, though prior to his return to Australia, Stirling attended the University Tutorial College, London from June 14 to October 1, 1919, in order to obtain his Matriculation certificate. He returned to the Public Works Department after the war and we know this because he sent a letter on Public Works Department letterhead on September 30, 1921 to the Officer in Charge, Base Records asking for particulars of his service so he could sit for the Municipal Engineers Examination (5).

After the Public Works Department one report from 1926 says that one of his first tasks was to carry out a Topographical Survey of the Yallourn township. This was done so well done that he was given the difficult job of carrying out a hydrographical survey of the entrance to Port Phillip. Tunnelling under a river in N.S.W., during which some intricate air-lock work was necessary, was another of his tasks (6).  A slight variation of this work history was presented by Stirling in a 1928 interview where they say  he became attached to the Electricity Commission for the stupendous works associated with the brown coal scheme at Yallourn, Victoria (7). The State Electricty Commission (SEC) was established in 1919 and in June 1920, Sir John Monash, became the General manager.  The open cut mining at Yallourn commenced in 1921. Once he left the SEC, Stirling commenced a career in theatre construction.

Capitol Theatre

Capitol Theatre, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, showing auditorium from dress circle, c. 1950. 

Photographer: Lyle Fowler. State Library of Victoria Image H92.20/3397

His first project was most likely the Capitol Theatre in Melbourne which opened November 7, 1924 (8). The theatre was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Solon Alonzo Peck. The building works were supervised by H. Byatt and Stirling Rogers. His new career in the constrution of major projects was no doubt aided by his connection to the architect, Solon Peck, who was his father-in-law. 

Report of the construction of the Capitol Theatre

The Argus November 8, 1924 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2065316

Another of Stirling's projects was the Green Mill dancing palais on the corner of St Kilda Road and Sturt Street, which opened on September 7, 1926 (9).  It was designed by Bates, Smart and McCutcheon.  The main feature was the Green Mill and this was surrounded by a cluster Dutch cottages and formal gardens, and the scene will be characteristic of the Hollandic landscape. The cost of the building was £30,000 and £5,000 was spent in electric lighting. The design is the outcome of travels abroad of Mr Carlyon and Mr W. O. McCutcheon, who has spent three years studying theatre decoration and in methods of designing amusement buildings. Two hundred workmen, under Mr W. S. Rogers, are engaged on the work (10).

The Green Mill, was partly destroyed by fire in 1940.

Green Mill dance hall, looking South down St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, c. 1941. Photographer: Lyle Fowler.

State Library of Victoria Image H92.20/1186

Clearly working on these projects in Melbourne gave Stirling the experience required to build the Ambassadors Theatre in Perth.  Stirling then moved from Perth to Auckland where he built the Civic Theatre, which opened in December 1929. This theatre was also  designed by Charles  Bohringer (11). Stirling's next career move was to introduce the game of mini (or midgit) golf into New Zealand. His father, George Rogers, was a founder of the Woodlands Golf course in Mordialloc, so a love of 'golf' ran in the family (12).

Stirling Roger's foray into midgit golf.

New Zealand Herald October 24, 1930  https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19301024.2.3.8

Speaking of his father, we will now have  a look at Stirling's family life. He was born February 11, 1899 to George Hunter Rogers (1865-1952) and Isabella Wilhemina Stirling (1868 - 1938). His older brother, called George Hunter after his father, who was a teacher, had been born in 1896. Stirling married Wilga Mary Doreen Peck, the daughter of Solon Alonzo Peck and Hetta Evelyn Eva Mitchell, on October 20, 1922 at Scots Church in Melbourne (13).  As a matter of interest, Solon Peck's father, John Murray Peck, who was born in New Hampshire, had arrived in Australia in 1853 with Hiram Cobb and was part of the Cobb & Co. coach company (14). 

Stirling Rogers in 1928

Perth Daily News September 28, 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85154349#

Stirling and Doreen had two children, Solon William born March 11, 1924 (15) and a daughter Shirlie Mitchell, born August 26, 1925 (16). I believe that after New Zealand, in the early 1930s, Stirling moved to England and separated from his wife.  Doreen was listed in the 1934 Electoral Roll at 7 High Street Mordialloc, but he was not listed (17).  The 1939 Register (18) which was compiled at the start of World War Two,  lists very civilian in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. On the list are Stirling (occupation Civil Engineer), his father George (occupation 'private' means') and interestingly in the same household, Ann Rogers, born April 2, 1907 (occupation Secretary and Interpreter).

Doreen died in 1967 and her death certificate states that she was still married to Stirling at the time of her death. Stirling died in England in 1985 and his death notice in The Times lists his wife Ann and a son Hunter, and no mention of his two children with Doreen.

Stirling's death notice in The Times.

The Times January 21, 1985,  Newspapers by Ancestry,

What remains of Stirling's grand theatre constructions? The Ambassadors Theatre in Perth closed on February 2, 1972 and was demolished in 1973 (19).  The Green Mill later became the Trocadero, which closed in the 1950s. The site is now occupied by the Arts Centre (20).  The Capitol Theatre in Melbourne (21) and Auckland's Civic Theatre (22), still remain to remind us of his work. Stirling Rogers was clearly a talented, ambitious and confident man, and we will end this post by repeating his generous tribute to his mentor, Carlo Catani, a grand engineer and a grand man, and I owe pretty well all that I am to him (23).

Acknowledgement

I was originally alerted to Stirling Rogers's connection to Carlo Catani by my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann. Thanks, Isaac.

Trove list

I have created a list of newspaper article in Stirling Rogers on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Perth Daily News September 28, 1928, p. 13, see here.
(2) Perth Daily News September 28, 1928, p.18, see here. 

(3) Perth Truth, September 23, 1928, p. 13, see here.

(4) His Service Number was 20856. You can read his personnel dossier on the National Archives of Australia website, here. He Returned to Australia November 15, 1919.

(5) The letter regarding the particulars of his service is page 37 of his personnel dossier,

(6) Perth Daily News December 31, 1926, p. 5, see here.

(7) Perth Daily News September 28, 1928, p.18, see here. 

(8) Report of the opening of the Capital Theatre and a description of the building can be found in The Argus, November 8, 1924, see here and The Age, November 8, 1924, see here.

(9) The Green Mill - reports of the opening can be found in The Herald, September 7, 1926, see here and the Emerald Hill Record, September 11, 1926, see here.

(10) The Herald, September 1, 1926, see here.

(11) New Zealand Herald, November 19, 1929. Read the article on Papers Past, here. Auckland Sun,  April 8, 1929, see here; Auckland Star, October 8, 1929, see here. Papers Past is what I call New Zealand Trove, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ ;

(12) The Age, May 30, 1950, see here.

(13) Family information comes from the indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages. There were various reports of their wedding on the papers, including this one from the Prahran Telegraph of November 17, 1922, here.

(14) John Murray Peck's obituary was in The Argus, November 20, 1903, see here.

(15) Birth  notice, The Argus, March 22, 1924, see here.

(16) Birth Notice, The Argus, September 5, 1925, see here.

(17) Electoral Rolls are available on Ancestry.

(18) Read more about the 1939 Register on Find My Past  https://www.findmypast.com.au/1939register/what-is-the-1939-register

(19) Cinema Treasures website, http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9328

(20) eMelbourne https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01516b.htm

(21) Capitol Theatre, now owned by RMIT, https://www.rmit.edu.au/the-capitol/history

(22) Civic  Theatre https://www.themightycivictheatre.co.nz/

(23) Perth Truth, September 23, 1928, p. 13, see here

Plaque to honour Carlo's work installed at Morell Bridge

The Carlo Catani Centennial Commemorative Committee is pleased to announce that a plaque commemorating the work of Carlo Catani was installed on the bluestone wall of the Morell bridge on November 26, 2020. 

The Plaque

Photo: Isaac Hermann

The plaque in situ, and the Yarra River and the City

Photo: Isaac Hermann

The plaque and the Morell bridge. 

Photo: Isaac Hermann

Installation of the plaque took three years of negotiations with the City of Melbourne Plaques and Memorials Committee. Permits were also required from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, the MCC Planning Department and Heritage Victoria. This skilful and patient negotiating was undertaken on behalf of the  Carlo Catani Centennial Commemorative Committee by Isaac Hermann, who was also the convenor of the Committee. The efforts of Committee members Eddie Schubert, until recently the Heritage Officer, Department of Transport and Paul Balassone, Principal Heritage Advisor, Melbourne Water were extremely valuable in seeing this project through to fruition. 

The plaque is yet another well deserved honour for Carlo Catani and the Carlo Catani Centennial Commemorative Committee and, in particular, Isaac should be congratulated on this project.

Carlo comes to the rescue at Koonoomoo

In October 1906, the Murray River flooded and inundated the surrouding countryside including Koonoomoo, a small town which is located south of Toucumwal, north of Yarroweyah (which I have written about here), northeast of Strathmerton and northwest of Cobram. Over 2,000 acres of crops went under water (1). Carlo Catani inspected the flood area and while he was there went to the rescue of Mrs Hart and her three children. I have reproduced three newpaper accounts of his bravery and then we will look at the life of Mrs Hart and the Koonoomoo community.

This is an account of the flood -

Koonoomoo Settlement Submerged - Miles of Country flooded. 

The Murray has broken through the levee bank in several places between here and Tocumwal, and the intervening country is one vast stretch of water. The flood of this country has had the effect of lowering the river by at least three inches at the Cobram bridge, but although the stream is receding, the water is rising inland very rapidly owing to the gaps in the levee being made deeper. Koonoomoo township is under water, and every settler has shifted to higher quarters. 

(Riverine Herald, October 12, 1906, see here)

I have found three accounts (2) of Carlo's heroism and even though they are similar in some aspects I have reproduced them here because this is a tribute blog to Carlo and to paraphrase William Shakespeare, I come to praise Carlo.

Koonoomoo Settlement Submerged - Miles of Country flooded

During Tuesday afternoon an exciting incident happened. Mrs Hart, one of the settlers residing to the north-west of the village, had decided to remain with her three children in her home, thinking that the flood would not reach them, but as the water was rising at the rate of 4 inches per hour her situation was becoming critical. Mr Catani, who visited Koonoomoo during the aflernoon, learned of Mrs Hart's position, and be procured a boat and with assistance set out to rescue her. After going about 50 yards, however, the boat proved so leaky that Mr Catani was prevailed upon not to risk his life. Constable Tennant, who had been busily employed in the neighborhood, happened along, and he readily volunteered to go to Mrs Hart's rescue, in company with Mr Joe O'Connor, the well-known footballer. The pair had a difficult task to reach Mrs Hart's dwelling, but by dint of much baling the cottage was reached and all the inmates taken aboard. The boat was then rowed out between the front gate posts, and shortly afterwards a great quantity of water came aboard through one of the party shifting. The rescuers promptly dropped out into 3ft. 6in. of water and baled the boat dry, and subsequently managed to land Mrs Hart and her children on high ground.

(Cobram Courier October 11, 1906, see here.)

Local residents of Koomoonoo, 1920.

Weekly Times July 19, 1920. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222554833

Koonoomoo Settlement submerged. Miles of country flooded.

An exciting incident occurred during the swamping of the settlement, which was the work of a few hours, as the water rose at the rate of five inches per hour. Mrs Hart, with her three young children, decided to stay at their dwelling, thinking the flood would not reach them. It did so, however, and Mr Catani, of the Public Works department, procuring the only boat available, made an at attempt to go to their assistance. After going 50 yards the boat leaked so badly that Mr Catani decided to come back.

Constable Tennant, from Cobram, who had been helping the flooded settlers all the morning, came along, and with Mr Joseph O'Connor, got into the boat and proceeded to Mrs Hart's house. They had hard work to steer the boat in a safe course and to keep it bailed out, but eventually they reached the dwelling and put the inmates on board, When returning by a more easy course, Mrs Hart leaned to one side, causing the boat to partly fill, and Constable Tennant and Mr O'Connor had to jump out into four feet of water and bail out the boat. Eventually the party reached high land and were taken care of. 

(Riverine Herald, October 12, 1906, see here)

Damage at Koonoomoo. Mr Catani's adventure. 
During Mr Catani's visit he underwent a thrilling experience. Not far from the levee at Koonoomooo is the homestead of a settler named Hart, who had left some days previoulsy, leaving his wife and three childen at home. During the night the river rose, and when Mr Catani arrived the house was standing in the centre of a surging mass of yellow water. The flood had already invaded the house, and there was every indication that it would rise, and carry away the woman and her children. At imminent risk to himself, Mr Catani entered a boat to rescue them. He appealed to several men for assistance, but they declined to venture out, asserting that they could not swim. Mr Catani then rowed to another part of the bank, and offered a young man a sovereign if he would assist in the work of the rescue. At this moment the police, who had rendered great assistance during the flood, came to the scene, and Mrs Hart and her family were removed to a place of safety.

(The Argus October 13, 1906, see full article here)

The township of Koonoomoo was proclaimed on December 18, 1885 (3). We can get some idea of the early history of Koonoomoo from  the history of the school from Vision and Realisation (4).  In September 1886 the community applied to the Education Department for a school, which was knocked back due to insuffucient numbers. In September 1890 the community applied again for a school and provided a list of thirty nine potential students. This time they were successful, a site was selected and the school opened in September 1891 in an old weatherboard house that had been moved to the block. Another site was selected in 1897 and in the December the school building from Dargalong was moved there and classes started in the 'new' building in March 1898, with an enrolment of 51. The building was condemned by the Council Health Officer in 1904, and another disused school, this time from Pine Lodge West, was shifted to the town. The school closed in February 1953 and the students moved to Cobram Consolidated School (5).

There is also a description of Koonoonoo in a letter written by May Davenport to Aunt Connie, the editor of the children's pages in the Weekly Times on June 1, 1901

Dear Aunt Connie,

Koonoomoo is a village settlement about 2 ½ miles from the Murray River. There is a lagoon running through it. On the other side of the lagoon there are some sandhills, on which there are several vineyards. The country on this side of the lagoon is pretty flat, and one time when the river overflowed, there used to be a flood now and then, but now there is an embankment made to keep back the floods. There is a flood gate in the embankment to let sufficient water into the lagoon. It is a pretty sight to see the water rushing through it. There is a lot of wattles on river banks. They look very pretty when, they are out. There are some sandbanks along the river, and we go down on them some times for picnics. Cobram and Yarroweyah are the nearest townships. Cobram is about five miles from here. It is the terminus of the Goulburn Valley railway line. Yarraweyah is about three miles from here. I got two prize books this year. One of them, which I got from the State school, is named Glen Luna and the other, which I got from Sunday school, is named the Wide,Wide World. I think they are both nice books, but I like the Wide, Wide World the best. We have had a nice fall of rain, and the grass is growing nicely. The mice are very bad here this year.

With love to you, I remain, your loving niece, May Davenport.

(Weekly Times June 1, 1901, see here)

This township map of Koonoomoo, shows the lagoon running through the town as mentioned by May in her letter to Aunt Connie.

Public Records Office of Victoria, view a high-res version here.

The State Library of Victoria also has a plan of the Koomoonoo Village Settlement and the township, here.

Koonoomoo was clearly a small town as in the 1906 Electoral Roll there were only twelve people listed with a Koonoomoo address (6) and in 1908 there were 28 (7) including Hugh and  Matilda Hart. The occupations listed were either farmer or labourer for the men and home duties or farmer for the women - no shopkeepers or blacksmiths, so Koonoomoo appears to actually be more of  a locality rather than a town.

It was Matilda Hart and her three children who were rescued from the flood. Matilda Hancock had married Hugh Hart, in 1896; the marriage was registered in Deniliquin (8). They had two children in New South Wales - Isabella, born in 1897 and Myrtle (9) in 1899; the births were registered in Tocumwal. Hugh was born in 1904, and his birth was registered at Strathmerton.  Matilda Hart had a previous escape from calamity in December 1898 when she was struck on the head, as the report below tell us.

A report of Matilda Hart's accident - note the interesting way the bleeding was stopped.

Sydney Evening News, December 7, 1898  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114042720

In one of the flood reports it said that the Harts had lost 30 acres of crops in the flood (10).  In the 1908 and 1909 Electoral Rolls Hugh's occupation was listed as a farmer and also listed at Koonoomoo was a Patrick Hart. After 1909, Hugh's occupation was listed as a labourer and Patrick was no longer listed, so I wonder if Hugh and Patrick worked the farm together and if Patrick moved on, so they decided to sell the farm and Hugh worked as a labourer. 

Matilda was in the newspapers again in 1916 when the Tungamah Shire Council charged her with failing to register her three dogs.

Report of Matilda Hart's failure to register her dogs with the Tungamah Shire.

Nurmurkah Leader December 15, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132754538

On October 1925, Matilda Hart had to attend a hearing in Numurkah to show cause why her licence to lease 70 acres of Crown Land should not be forfeited. I don't know what the outcome was, but it is interesting that the property was in her name and not in Hugh's name. They also have the address of the property as Yarroweyah. It appears that in common with many rural areas there was a blurred line between locality boundaries, in this case that of Koonoomoo and Yarroweyah. This may also explain why there were so few people listed in the Electoral Roll with a Koonoomoo address.

Notice of Matilda Hart's licence to lease Crown Land hearing.

Victoria Government Gazette October 10, 1917.  http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1917/V/general/168.pdf

Hugh died at the age  of 78 on June 5, 1932 at the Mooroopna Hospital. Matilda was still listed at Koonoomoo in the 1936 Electoral Roll. She died in Carlton on August 11, 1948. Her death certificate said her usual place of residence was Deniliquin. She was 83 years of age (11). 

Death notice of Matilda (nee Hancock) Hart.

The Age August 12, 1948 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206892880

Matilda and Hugh's three children survived to adulthood - Isabella died in 1973, aged 76. She had married Charles Henry Schultz in 1914. He died in 1931 and she then married Arthur Tredrea in 1935. Myrtle married Edwin Sitters in Tocumwal in 1923 and she died in 1968 at the age of 68. Hugh died in 1969 aged 64 (12). As you can see by Matilda's death notice, she had a step-daughter. Hugh's death notice said he had been married twice, but no children from either marriage were listed on his certificate for some unknown reason.

Did the Harts regale their families with stories of the flood and the daring rescue for the rest of their lives - saying to their children or grandchildren - Did I ever tell you about the time we were rescued by Mr Catani?

I could only find one historic photo of Koonoomoo on-line. 

It is from 1939 and titled Boys with rabbits near Koonoomoo. This would be not much different from how Koonoomoo looked when Isabella, Myrtle and Hugh Hart were growing up in the area.

State Library of New South Wales Image IE1713999

Acknowledgment

I found out about Carlo's daring rescue at Koonoomoo from my research colleague, Isaac Hermann. Isaac also supplied the information about Mrs Hart's dog registration issues and her Crown Land licence hearing.

Footnotes

(1) The Age, October 11, 1906, see here. 

(2) There is actually one other report in The Age, October 11, 1906, see here. 

(3) Proclamation of the town was in the Victoria Government Gazette of December 24, 1885 http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1885/V/general/124.pdf

(4) Blake, L. J (editor) Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria,  (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)

(5) Blake, op. cit.. v. 3, p. 835.

(6) The 1906 Electoral Roll list the following with a Koonoomoo address - James Boland, Mary Boland, John Brown, Emily Hiles, Joseph Hiles, Thomas Lambert, Annie O'Connor, Johanna O'Connor, William O'Connor, Arnold Schultz, Christina Schultz and William Schultz.

(7) The 1908 Electoral Roll list the following with a Koonoomoo address -  Margaret Blowes, Annie Clouson, George Davenport, Elizabeth DeAble, Hugh Hart, Matilda Hart, Patrick Hart, Emily Hiles, Ester Hiles, Maud Hiles, Elizabeth Holmes, Catherine Hutson, Robert Hutson, Thomas Lambert, May Lynch, Maud Mansell, Annie O'Connor, Johanna O'Connor, William O'Connor, Walter Prayle, Edward Rowe, Ethel Rowe, Catherine Ryan, Mary Ryan, Matthew Ryan, Robert Teitz, Charles Thomas, William George Thomas, William James Thomas.

(8) Index to the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages. Matilda's death certificate lists her father as William Thomas Hancock and her mother's surname as Carmichael and says she was born in Collingwood. As she died in 1948 and her age was listed as 83 then that makes her birth year around 1865. In the Victorian Index to Births, Deaths and Marriages there is a Matilda Hancock born in 1869 in Collingwood to William Thomas Hancock and Mary Henderson.  I assume this is our Matilda, but I cannot account for the discrepencies in the year of birth and the mother's surname. According to Hugh's death certificate his full name was Hugh William Fisher Hart and being 78 in 1932, it means he was born around 1854. His parents are not listed and his place of birth is listed as Woodstock, a town north of Melbourne on the intesection of the Broadford Road and Donnybrook Road. The only birth of a Hugh William Fisher Hart in Victoria was in 1864, to John Fisher Hart and Sarah Ann Wall. The birth was registered in Kyneton, that's ten years after the date suggested by the death certiticate. I don't have an answer for this. 

(8) The Index to the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages list Myrtle as Bertha. This may be a transcription error or she changed her name.

(10) The Age, October 11, 1906, see here. 

(11) Death date of Hugh and Matilda comes from their death certificates.

(12) Information on Isabella, Myrtle and Hugh comes from the Victorian Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Federation Star Bed, Alexandra Gardens

Rare postcard of the Federation Star Bed, soon after planting (1).

One of the features of the Alexandra Gardens, which was designed by Carlo Catani in 1904, is the six pointed Federation Star Bed, which was also known as the Commonwealth Star Bed.  This was laid out by Carlo and George Cooper, the curator of the Gardens. We know it was in existence in 1905 as it featured in a painting by Laurence William Wilson (2), called Melbourne 1905. The painting is held by the State Library of Victoria and their exhibition caption states that Wilson travelled to Melbourne in 1904 to undertake this commissioned painting. 

Melbourne 1905 by Laurence William Wilson.

State Library of Victoria collection.

Photo: Isaac Hermann.  The frame has been cropped from the image.

Close-up of the Federation Star Bed from Melbourne, 1905 by Laurence William Wilson.

State Library of Victoria collection. Photo: Isaac Hermann. 

In 1906 the National Rose Society planted out the Federation Star Bed with roses. The Leader newspaper reported on the National Rose Society Annual General Meeting held on June 26, 1906 and the report included this snippet which tell us how the society was given access to the bed: Mr. J. H. Simpson, at a members' meeting, had moved that the authorities be approached with, a request that a bed on the Alexandra Avenue be placed under the society's charge. A sympathetic reply was received, and Messrs. Brunning (3), Annear (4), Hogg (5), Oliver (6) and Simpson (7) met Mr. Catani of the Public Works department. A very fine plot, known as the Federation Star Bed, was selected, and Messrs. Brunning, Oliver and Simpson were appointed a sub-committee to lay out and plant a rose bed. There will be between 200 and 300 plants and the site will be used as a model for all interested in rose culture (8).

The planting of the Federation Star Bed by the National Rose Society July 11, 1906. You can see the poles which are fixed for the future training of climbing varieties (see below).

General view of the proceedings 

Weekly Times July 21, 1906  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221221900#

The rose bed was planted out on Arbor Day, July 11, 1906, with 200 roses of 120 varieties (9).  It consisted of a six-pointed star representing the Commonwealth with interposing circular beds signifying each state. The main bed, the six pointed star, was laid out with standards, half standards and dwarf -types are arranged, so as to fall away in size from the centre, while poles are fixed for the future training of climbing varieties (10). The  points of the star plot were picked out with a dwarf crimson variety, Madame Levasseur (11). There were also six smaller circular beds representing each state, which were planted with different coloured roses - Victoria claims Belle Siebrecht and her sister roses of the pink section, while the mother State is favored with the exquisite blooms that are confined to the white varieties. The deep crimson of Prince Camille de Rohan will be the distinguishing color in the South Australian bed, and Queensland will be a shade lighter, with the reds. The yellows are given to Tasmania, and the Western State will have the more varied types of the bronze-yellow roses (12).  The arrangement was designed by Society members, J. Oliver, H. Brunning and J.H. Simpson (13).

On the day of the planting, the President of the Society, Mr J.J. Morris (14) made a speech and said the Society was indebted to the Public Works department for the privilege of possessing such an admirable site for this special purpose (15). The Public Works Department was represented on the day by the Secretary for Public Works, Mr Martin (16) and Carlo Catani. William Guilfoyle, the Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens (17) his brother John, curator of Reserves Metropolitan Parks and Gardens (18) and a large number of rose enthusiasts were also present (19). Mrs Morris had the honour of planting the first rose and Mrs Martin also planted a rose (20). I do not know whether Carlo planted a rose.

The Federation Star Bed, Alexandra Gardens.

This is dated c. 1906 (21)

State Library of Victoria Image H96.200/607 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/383768

For some years the Federation Star rose garden was the location of the National Rose Society  annual pruning exhibitions, however it turned out that the rose garden was short-lived, as this article from The Leader of March 21, 1914 tell us: What was once the Commonwealth rose bed in Alexandra-avenue Gardens is now well stocked with choice dahlias, which may be expected to give a fine show in a few weeks' time. As a rose bed it was pretty much a failure, and after maintaining it for six years the National Rose Society gave it up about twelve months ago. Some of the bushes were removed to higher ground, where they at once improved, and are now doing well (22).

Another view of the Federation Star Bed

Dahlias in the Federation Star Bed, 1917.

Alexandra Gardens - Dahlias in full bloom

The Australasian April 28, 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/140187903#

Beautiful Alexandra Gardens, showing the Star Bed on the left. 

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 

Dated c. 1920-1954. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/7290. http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/67482

This photo was taken June 22, 2018 and clearly shows outline of the star and 

the original rock work centre. 

Photographer: Isaac Hermann.

The Star Bed, October 6, 2022

Photographer: Isaac Hermann

Acknowledgements

The Weekly Times photo of the planting out of the National Rose Society Federation Star Bed was found by my colleague, Isaac Hermann. There are three photos of the event, which you can see, here, in the Weekly Times of July 21, 1906, here. He also supplied the photo of the Laurence William painting and the 2018 photo of the gardeners working on the Star Bed and some of this research was also undertaken in conjunction with Isaac.

Trove list

I have created a short list of articles on Trove relating to the establishment of the Federation Star rose garden, access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) We came across this postcard in a secondhand book shop in Melbourne and we were so thrilled to find it. It was posted on July 11, 1908 to Miss Alden, 'Little London', Tyabb. I have another postcard addressed to the Alden Family and I have written about them here, https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2020/05/alden-family-of-little-london-tyabb.html

(2) Laurence William Wilson (c. 1851 -1912). The State Library of Victoria caption which accompanied this painting said that Wilson studied art in England, before migrating to New Zealand in the 1870s. As we saw, he travelled to Melbourne in 1904 as he was commissioned to paint this scene. He filed for bankruptcy in 1883 and that is all I know about him.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3120, April 3 1883 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/

(3) Herbert John Brunning (1864 - 1949). A founder of the National Rose Society, son of George Brunning, who established Brunnings Nursery in St Kilda. You can read Herbert's obituary in the The Argus, May 25 1949, here and you can read George Brunning's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, written by R.F. Erikisen, here.

(4) Annear William of Auburn, member of the National Rose Society.  

(5) Thomas Hogg of Surrey Hills. Member of the Society and lectured and wrote on rose culture, see here, for an example. He was featured in Table Talk's 'Men of the Moment' in 1909, read about him here. Thomas was a director of the company Miller & Co., rope and twine manufacturers.

(6) John Oliver, Curator of Queens Park, Moonee Ponds who worked for the City of Essendon from 1890 until 1938. He presented a paper on roses and rose culture to the Society in 1901, it was reported in The Leader, June 29, 1901, see here.   

(7) J. H. Simpson. I believe this is James Henry Simpson who was a foundation member of the Society. his death was reported in Rose Society's annual report of 1935/1936, see here in The Australasian of July 18, 1936.  

(8) The Leader, June 30, 1906, see here.

(9) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here. 

(10) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here. 

(11) The Herald, July 11, 1906, see here.  

(12) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here. 

(13) The Australasian, July 21, 1906, see here.

(14) James Jackson Morris, President of the National Rose Society. Died January 19, 1920, read his obituary in The Argus, here.

(15) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here. 

(16) David Martin (1841-1927) The Secretary for Public Works. Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by R. Wright, here.

(17) The Herald of July 11, 1906 reported that the the Messrs Guilfoyle were in attendance, so I believe this is William and John.  William Robert Guilfoyle (1840-1912) was the curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by Alan Gross,  here.

(18) John Guilfoyle. William's ADB entry says that John was the curator of the reserves under the Melbourne Metropolitan Parks and Gardens Committee in 1891-1909. He died on January 29, 1909, read his short obituary in the Weekly Times, here.

(19) The Herald, July 11, 1906, see here.  

(20) The Australasian, July 21, 1906, see here.

(21) The postcard is dated c. 1906. Not sure if that is correct, it looks nothing like the 1905 painting (second and third image in post). There are no stakes in the ground that were required for the climbing roses and later the dahlias, so perhaps it is an artistic impression.

(22) The Leader, March 21, 1914, see here.