Carlo Catani and Wattle trees

The wattle tree grows prolifically on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. Even 130 years after the Swamp was drained in accordance with plans drawn up by William Thwaites, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department and later plans developed by Carlo Catani, the black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) still sprouts up anytime and anywhere. It flowers from late July to mid August and is just spectacular. Carlo Catani had a love of wattles; did this love develop from his many trips to the Koo Wee Rup Swamp and seeing the wattles in bloom?  I would like to think so. This is a post celebrating Carlo's fondness of the  wattle. 

This is the Main Drain of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, the drain which was part of William Thwaites' original drainage plan, and self-seeded wattles.

  Looking east from the Eleven Mile bridge at Vervale/Cora Lynn, taken July 31, 2011.

In 1904, the Public Works Department planted 1500 wattle trees, comprising 40 species, along the Alexandra Avenue (1). This would have been at the direction of Carlo Catani who designed the Avenue and the adjoining Alexandra Gardens. A visitor from Western Australia described these trees a year later - Off Alexandra Drive Mr. Catani has a magnificent grove of wattles, now in full bloom, forming a magnificent sight, charming the eye and diffusing a subtle perfume (2). A report in 1909 said the collection of acacias or wattles in the avenue has been the admiration of the thousands of persons who have visited this truly lovely spot (3).

If you know wattles then you know that they can tend to get a bit straggly and have a short life-span or as The Australasian reported in 1909 -  Many of the acacias have the reputation of being short-lived, and this is correct if the plants are left to themselves; but it is well known that longevity in many trees may be promoted by judicious pruning and attention to watering in the dry weather. Mr. G. W. Cooper, the intelligent head gardener at this place, lays great stress on the value of pruning these plants immediately after they have done flowering. Numerous tall growing kinds may be kept within reasonable dimensions, and even the medium growers or those of bush habit may be kept quite dwarf by using the knife (4).

George Cooper worked with Carlo Catani from 1900 on the landscaping of Alexandra Avenue and at the Alexandra Gardens, where he was the head curator until 1917.  George Cooper not only worked with Carlo but deserves equal praise and recognition for making the Alexandra Gardens  one of Melbourne's most picturesque embellishments (5).  I have written about him, here. George Cooper was also an expert on wattles who developed a wattle variety the "knife-leaved" wattle (A. cultrifoixuis) is very distinct, and is one of the best, but there is a variety of it which is of deeper colour, of dwarfer habit, a profuse bloomer, and with much closer set foliage than its parent; it originated in these gardens, and it is proposed to name it Cooperi, in honour of the head gardener (6). It would be interesting to know if this ever happened and if there is a George Cooper wattle. 

The wattle planting was not just confined to Alexandra Avenue, in 1904 wattles were planted at Richmond Park, also known as the Survey Paddock. Richmond Park is located in the bend of the Yarra River, surrounded on the north, west and south by the Yarra Boulevard (7). The planting was reported  in The Age - In referring to-day to the wattle planting along the Alexandra Avenue. Mr Catani, of the Public Works Department, mentioned what had been done to also improve in the same way the Richmond Park, formerly known as the Survey paddock. On the high bank of the park, along the river, he said, wattles had been planted for some time, and were now being extended from the Hawthorn road bridge, to the Hawthorn railway bridge. The work was he remarked being carried out under the direction of the Richmond Park committee of which Mr David Martin, secretary of Public Works, was Chairman. A suitable approach was also in course of formation from Bridge road to the avenue. At an early date the trees would be in bloom. "I think," added the engineer with a smile mingled with a touch of enthusiasm, "we will soon restore to a once-beautiful stream, some suggestion of its pristine charms" (8). An ambitious claim indeeed to believe the Yarra could be restored to even a suggestion of pristine charm, but this repesents the enthusiasm and hope that characterised Carlo.

There was more planting of native trees in 1913, on the north bank of the Yarra, on the east side of the Anderson Street bridge, also known as the Morell bridge. The tree planting took place in conjuction with Arbor Day on June 27, 1913. The ground, which was part of the old river bed, was prepared under the supervision of Carlo Catani, by George Cooper and his team. It was hoped that the planting will present an agreeable contrast to the odious tip still occupying the remaining part of the river bed on the other side of the bridge. With the exception of an avenue of deciduous trees along the river road, the planting is to consist entirely of Australian trees, such as mahgony gums, West Australian redgums and red flowering gums, lemon scented gums, flame trees, Bunya Bunya pines, waratahs, lilly pillies, grevilleas, wattles, and smaller plants (9). 

The plan for the planting of the 'All-Australian' plantation on June 27, 1913.

The Argus, June 27, 1913. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10792411

The Herald reported that with the exception of a border of Australian plants in the Botanical Gardens, this will be the first "All-Australian" plantation ever laid down (10). 138 trees were planted of which 100 were Australian varieties and the rest English deciduous. It was a well attended function, over 1,000 people, including many local school children, were reported to have been present. The first tree was planted by the State Governor, Sir John Fuller, it was a mahogany gum (Eucalyplus botryoides). Sir John Madden, the Chief Justice, planted the next tree, a Western Australian red gum (Eucalyptus calophylla). Other dignatories also planted trees, including Carlo. The planting was supported by the Australian Forest League, the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria and the Australian Natives' Association (11).

The Governor, Sir John Fuller, addressing the children at the 'All-Australian' planting 

on June 27, 1913. 

Punch, July 3, 1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176547645

It has been suggested that the planting of wattle trees on Alexandra Avenue and near the Anderson Street bridge, may have been due to the influence of the Premier, Sir Thomas Bent. For instance in 1909 it was reported that it is about five years since the late Sir Thomas Bent, then Premier, expressed a desire that a number of our native acacias should be planted on some then vacant ground, near the banks of the river (12). And in 1913 The Herald wrote this about why native trees were planted near the Anderson Street bridge in this connection the Government has followed in the direction of Sir Thomas Bent, who was an enthusiastic admirer of all Australian flora, and wattles in particular (13). It may be so, but I prefer my interpretation that it was Carlo and George Cooper who influeneced the planting and they may well have influenced the Premier.  It was well known that Carlo was fond of wattles. The Prahran Telegraph, in article about the landscaping on the St Kilda foreshore said this Mr. Catani has much to say also in favour of the Australian wattle as an ornamental addition to the parks and reserves (14). 

As more evidence of Carlo's fondness for the wattle in 1911, member of Parliament, Harry Lawson, wrote a letter to his local paper, The Mount Alexander Mail. The letter set out a list of wattles, suggested by Carlo, which could be planted so you would have blooms all year round.

WATTLE DAY.
Sir,— With reference to the observance of Wattle Day, I desire to inform you that I recently obtained from Mr Catani, the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, a plan for planting different varieties of acacias, whereby it is claimed that perpetual bloom is secured. Mr Catani designed Alexandra Avenue, which is still under his care and supervision. I have inspected his wattle plantations (containing 44 varieties), where the plan is in operation. Mr Catani tells me that he has proved the scheme by actual experience. As it may be of interest to your readers, I enclose the list. You may be able to find space for them in your columns. —
Yours, etc., HARRY S.W. LAWSON State Parliament House, August 31st, 1911.

Time of Blooming, January. Common Name, New Year Wattle. Botanic Name, Acacia Elata.
February, Lightwood Wattle, Acacia Implexa.
March, Maiden Wattle, Acacia Maidenii.
April, Whipstick Wattle, Acacia Retinodes.
May, Sunshine Wattle, Acacia Discolor.
June, Sweetscented Wattle, Acacia Sauveolens.
July, Cootamundra Wattle, Acacia Baileyana.
August, Silver Wattle, Acacia Dealbata.
August, Coastal Wattle, Acacia Longifolia.
September, Golden Wattle, Acacia Pycnantha (also Acacia Spectabrilisy)
September, Latrobe Wattle, Acacia Acinacens.
October, Scrub Wattle. Acacia Leprosa.
October, Western Wattle,  Acacia Macradenia.
November, Black Wattle, Acacia Mollissima.
December, Black Wattle, Acacia Mollissima (15).

More Koo Wee Rup Swamp self-seeded wattles.

Main Drain Road, looking west from the Eleven Mile Bridge at Cora Lynn, taken July 31, 2011.

In 1932, a bequest of £5000 from Sir Sidney Myer was reported of in The Herald. The paper had hoped that the generous bequest will forge another link in the scheme for a chain of boulevards and parks along the River Yarra. The scheme was first visualised many years ago by the late Mr Catani, of the Public Works Department. His idea was that a river boulevard should run from the city to Yarra Glen, where it would join the Healesville Road and link up with the highway over the Black Spur and the mountains beyond. Mr Catani's vision was one which has caught the imagination of town planners and beautifiers ever since. Many proposals have been made, although no official comprehensive plan exists....Among the many suggestions made in connection with the boulevard was one that it should be planted with wattles, and known as the Golden Highway (16). How wonderful that would have been and it could have happened if the politicians of the day had the vision and appreciation of beauty that Carlo had.

Acknowledgment

I was alerted to the Alexandra Gardens wattle grove and the all-Australian plantation at the Anderson Street bridge, by my fellow historian and Carlo enthusiast, Isaac Hermann. Thank you.

Trove list 

I have created a short list of articles connected to Carlo and Wattles and the all-Australian plantation on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) The Advocate, August 27, 1904, see here.

(2) The West Australian, August 4, 1905, see here.

(3) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(4) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(5) The Age, February 1, 1929, see here.

(6) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(7)  Location of Richmond Park

Richmond Park, is bottom left. This is from the Melway Street Directory, Edition 10, 1977.

(8) The Age, August 25, 1904, see here.

(9) The Argus, June 27 1913, see here.

(10) The Herald, June 18, 1913, see here.

(11) The Herald, June 18, 1913, see here. See my Trove list for other articles about planting near the Anderson Street bridge.

(12) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(13) The Herald, June 18, 1913, see here

(14) Prahran Telegraph, September 13, 1913 see here.

(15) Mount Alexander Mail, September 1, 1913, see here.

(16) The Age, November 15, 1932, see here.

You Yangs - the track to the summit of Flinders Peak

The Geelong Advertiser of  October 12, 1911 published this short report - As a spot for tourists, the You Yangs is one of Geelong's neglected assets. Some time ago it was proposed to have a vehicle track laid to the summit where in time a hospice might be created. Mr J. F. Farrer, M.L.A., has been in communication with the Government Tourist Bureau with a request that Mr. Catani, or one of his staff, should be instructed to survey a well-graded track to the crest of the peak. The secretary of the bureau has notified Mr. Farrer, that the proposal has been remitted to Mr. Catani for consideration. It is estimated that a track would cost £600 (1).

A few months later in January 1912,  the Geelong Advertiser followed up on the matter In furtherance of Government's policy for developing the picturesque portions of Victoria available to tourist traffic it was some time ago suggested that a  road to the top of the You Yangs should be constructed. Mr Catani, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, subsequently promised that the necessary survey would be made. Mr Catani yesterday said that stress of work had hitherto precluded the keepmg of that promise. As soon, however, as the surveyor now engaged at the Grampians concluded his work he would be sent to the You Yangs. The survey of the latter would certainly be made within the present month (2).

A year later, the Government would only go ahead with the road if the Geelong community  contributed £50 towards the cost (3). The money was collected by the Geelong Progress Association of which Mr Jonas Blakiston (4), a local carrier and shipping agent, was President.

There are very few photographs that I could find taken at the You Yangs (as opposed to those taken of the You Yangs). This one, taken by Herbert Bishop is of John Henry Bishop, his father and uncle at the foot of Flinders Peak, You Yangs, taken in 1916. Perhaps, after this photo was taken, they then traversed to the summit and admired the view and the scenery.

State Library of Victoria Image H87.34/218

The track to Flinders Peak was declared open  on August 23, 1913 by the Surveyor General, Mr J. M. Reed (5) after Mrs Anderson, the Mayoress of Geelong, cut a ribbon stretched across the road. 500 people attended the opening including other Government officials - Mr. Catani, engineer-in-chief for public works; Mr. Kermode, of the Lands Department; the local members of Parliament including William Plain, M.L.A. (6) who was one of the chief supporters of the road.  The  Mayors of Geelong, Geelong West, Newtown & Chilwell and the Shire President of Corio were also in attendance. There were a few speeches including one by Mr Richardson, M.L.C  who said it was the first time he had been to the You Yang as  it was not convenient and there was not easy access to the place. He trusted that the road would lead to further attractions. Geelong had not got its fair share in grants for tourist purposes. At Mt. Buffalo and elsewhere large sums of money had been spent (7). 

The Surveyor General, Mr Reed said in his speech The Tourist Bureau, comprising himself, Mr. Catani, and the Secretary for Railways, looked upon the encouragement of tourists as a kind of recreation. They enjoyed the work of improving the beauty spots of Victoria. They had the opportunity of recommending a sum of money for this road, but whatever money they were granted bv the Government was supplemented by generous contributions...Flinders Peak was a decided asset to Geelong... The road was not yet complete, and would be still further improved. Part of the scheme provided for a shelter shed, but there were no funds available at the present time. He would commend this work to the people of Geelong and ask their co-operation in securing a shed. He would like to see it installed for the coming summer season (8).

After Mr Reed's speech a number of trees were planted by school children, members of the Wattle League and the three Geelong newspapers. The whole road was then traversed to the summit of the peak, where Mr. J. Blakiston presented a cast iron indicator placed upon a high boulder; it names the landmarks for miles around... [Mr Blakiston] felt pleased in presenting this indicator to Messrs. Reed and Catani, as representatives of the Tourist Bureau. Mr. Catani returned thanks. He would accept it on behalf of his fellow citizens and fellow colonists. He would take Mr. Richardson to task for saying that there was need to improve the beauty spots of Victoria: they did not require improvement they only needed to be made accessible. He thought a nice place where they could take shelter would greatly improve the You Yangs (9).

The last speaker was Rev. E. L. Watkin, Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society of Victoria who gave a history of the area and on the life of Matthew Flinders, after whom Flinders Peak was named. 

Mr Plain, M.L.A., and Mr Blakiston spent many months trying to interest the Geelong community to fund shelter sheds and in November 1913 he sent on to Mr Blakiston yesterday a plan copy of a rustic hut suggested by the Tourist Bureau as suitable for the You Yangs. It is a solid structure of logs and sap- lings, hexagonal in shape, with 8ft . 6in. head clearance, and roofed with iron. The sides are open, with the exception of a rough frieze behind the log seat. The design is very popular at Fern Tree Gully, and the department suggests that one should be erected at the terminus of the You Yangs road, and another in a sheltered vale near the trigonometrical station (10).

Six months later the shelter shed were still not constructed or as the Geelong Advertiser put it in February 1914 - the proposal to have two shelter sheds erected at the reserve has fallen flat, and it may be remembered that Geelong does not sufficiently appreciate its mountain asset. Perhaps the reason is that it is too richly endowed with coastal resorts (11).

At the end of May 1914 the track was extended by the constuction of  a bridle track which allowed better access and indeed a gentleman aged 84 years completed the climb from the road terminus over the new track to the summit in 40 minutes without distress (12). Work was finally started in September on the shelter sheds (13).  I don't know if the work was completed, it may have been put on hold due to the War, but in 1925 the next newspaper reports I can find, the subject was back on the table. The Geelong Advertiser reported that it might be worth while to consider seriously the erection of some kind of shelter-shed on Flinders Peak, a project which has been mentioned once or twice lately by officials of the Tourist Bureau, and others (14).  There was also concern about the condition of the track and  a newly formed committee wanted to raise money to repair the track so that the work of Mr W. Plain and others who raised sufficient funds to have the track constructed many years ago would not go for nought (16). 

Carlo and Mr Plain, M.L.A and Mr Blakiston and others saw the beauty of the You Yangs but had   a difficult time, it seems persuading the rest of  community of Geelong to contribute to make that beauty more accessible. 

Trove list - I have created a list of newspaper articles in this issue on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Geelong Advertiser, October 12, 1911, see here.
(2) Geelong Advertiser, January 6, 1912, see here.

(3) Geelong Advertiser, January 9, 1913, see here.

(4) Jonas Blakiston, died at the age of 82 in 1933. You can read his obituary in The Argus April 17, 1933, see here.

(5) Joseph Martin Reed was appointed the Surveyor General in 1899. You can read his life in this article in the Weekly Times, August 19, 1899, here and his obituary in the Korumburra Great Southern Advocate of June 30, 1932, here.

(6) William Plain (1868-1961), read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.
(7) An extensive report of the road opening was in the Geelong Advertiser of August 25, 1913, see here.
(8) Geelong Advertiser, August 25, 1913, see here.

(9) Geelong Advertiser, August 25, 1913, see here.

(10) Geelong Advertiser, November 15, 1913, see here.
(11) Geelong Advertiser, February 27, 1914, see here.

(12) Geelong Advertiser, May 26, 1914, see here.

(13) Geelong Advertiser, September 19, 1914 see here.

(14) Geelong Advertiser, May 30, 1925, see here.

(15) Geelong Advertiser, September 21, 1925, see here.

Paintings of Lake Catani

One of the paintings exhibited at the Victorian Artists' Society Annual Exhibition of Paintings in October 1911, was Lake Catani, Buffalo Mountains by John Ford Paterson (1).  Lake Catani was part of Carlo's vision to make Mount Buffalo a year round tourist resort. Work in the area began in January 1908 on the road, which was engineered by Carlo, linking Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo. The road was completed in the October. Carlo and the Public Works Department also created a 23 hectare lake, often referred to as a skating lake, through the damming of the Eurobin Creek and the construction of a  weir. In January 1911, this lake was named in honour of Carlo Catani at the suggestion of the Bright Shire Council in recognition of the work undertaken by Catani in opening up the mountain as a tourist resort. Other projects on Mt Buffalo included a golf course and more famously, the Chalet, which opened in August 1910.  You can read more about Carlo and Mount Buffalo in our (2) Victorian Collections, story, here.

There are many postcards and photographs of Lake Catani, but very few paintings, so I was interested to 'discover' John Ford Paterson's painting, which was acquired by the Queensland Art Galley in November 1912 (3). The Hobart Mercury reported on this acquisition  - Two years ago Mr. Paterson made many sketches of the district, and in his finished work conveys a fine impression of the lake. The scheme is grey, with the background of hills and gum forest reflected on the water. A group of cattle is shown in the middle distance. The whole composition and colour scheme are in harmony, and thoroughly characteristic of the painter's final methods. This picture has a special interest as being the last important work painted by him (4).

Lake Catani, Buffalo Mountains -  John Ford Paterson. 1911.

Queensland Art Galley https://blog.qagoma.qld.gov.au/blog-1-0123_007/

John Ford Paterson was born in Dundee in Scotland in 1851 and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy Schools in Edinburgh. He came to Melbourne in 1872, returned to Scotland three years later, where he remained until 1884; when he then came back to Melbourne. He died suddenly at the age of 62, in July 1912 (5). In 1929, the Brisbane Courier wrote this about John Ford Paterson - There was one thing which Mr. Paterson perhaps suggested better than any other of our artists, and that was the mystery of the bush. He has a definite place among those who have worthily interpreted the character of the landscape (6).

In November 1932, the Grosvenor Gallery in Melbourne held a memorial exhibition of John Ford Paterson's paintings. Arthur Streeton reviewed it for The Argus and he described the Lake Catani painting as another rare expression of his gems (7). I am not sure if the word should have been genius and not gems and it was a misprint by the paper, either way, it is high praise from Arthur Streeton.

John was the brother of Charles Stewart Paterson of the firm Paterson Bros, which later monopolized the decoration of wealthy homes and such public buildings as Government House, Melbourne Town Hall, the Parliamentary Library and the Prahran Public Library. Another brother was the artist, Hugh Paterson, who was the father of Esther Ford and Betty Ford, who were also artists. His sister, Mary, was the mother of Louis Esson, the poet and dramatist (8).

I have found three other newspaper reports of paintings of Lake Catani - Lake Catani, Mount Buffalo, Victoria a water colour by Mrs W. G. Torr, exhibited at her solo show at the Society of Arts Gallery in Adelaide in June 1921 (9); Frost and Snow on Lake Catani, by water colourist and printmaker, Elsie Barlow, exhibited with the Victorian Artists' Society in April 1926 (10) and oil painting, Lake Catani,  by William Rowell, exhibited in 1945 (11). 

Mrs W. G. Torr was Mary Frances Torr.  Mary was born in Brighton in Melbourne in 1857 to John and Ann (nee Creswell) Walter. She married David Buchan in 1886, who died in 1891.  In 1912 she married William George Torr (12) who had established Old Oxford House in Adelaide in 1909 as a Methodist Training College. He was also a noted collector of shells (13).  A report of the 1921 exhibition, where the Lake Catani painting was displayed said that the list [of sold paintings] is a sufficient indication of Mrs. Torr's versatility, and of the attractive nature of her pictures. She is well known as an exhibitor at the annual displays of the Society of Arts, a good colourist with an unfailing eye for the picturesque (14). Mary exhibited at the Society of Arts show in September 1925 and the Adelaide Register reported that Mrs. W. G. Torr's exhibits constitute an agreeable show, and her watercolours reveal an intimate communion with Nature out of doors (15).  In 1928 she donated two paintings to decorate Old Oxford House or as it was reported they were given two choice paintings from Mrs. W. G. Torr.  Mrs. Torr is well to the front among artists, consequently her contributions are worthy of a place in the best art gallery in the State (16).  I can't find any references to Mary practising as an artist as Mary Walter or Mary Buchan. Mary died in Brighton in Adelaide at the age of 80 in 1937 (17). 

Elsie Frederica Barlow was born in Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) in 1876 to  Sidney and Charlotte (nee Hemsley) Hake. She attended Faireleight Girls School (18) in St Kilda where she was taught art by Jane Sutherland (19).  Elsie later attended School of Design at the National Gallery in Melbourne (20) and she was a member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (21). Elsie was instrumental in establishing the Castlemaine Art Gallery in 1913. She was living in Castlemaine as her husband, Arthur, was the police magistrate in the area and after exhibiting some of her work, she formed the committee to establish a permanent gallery in the town (22).  Elsie died in 1948 in Mentone.

William Rowell was the acting head of the National Gallery art school in Melbourne and died in 1946, aged 48 (23).

Where are these three paintings now? Mary Torr's painting was one of the works sold at her 1921 exhibiton, but that is all I can tell you. 

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove connected to  John Ford Paterson's Lake Catani and the works by Mary Torr, Elsie Barlow and William Rowell. Access the list, here.

Footnotes
(1) The Age October 14, 1911, see here.

(2) The Victorian Collections story Carlo Catani: An engineering star over Victoria was resarched and written by myself and my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann.
(3) Leader November 30, 1912, see here.

(4) Hobart Mercury, December 2, 1912, see here.

(5) John Ford Paterson entry in the  Australian Dictionary of Biography, by Marjorie Tipping   https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paterson-john-ford-4372

(6) Brisbane Courier, August 10 1929, see here.

(7) The Argus, November 10, 1932, see here.

(8) Information and the quote is from the Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB) entry, see footnote  5. There is information about Esther Paterson in the ADB entry of her husband, George Gill, here. Louis Esson's ADB entry is here.

(9) Adelaide Register, June 16 1921, see here.

(10) The Herald, April 26, 1926 see here. William Rowell and Esther Paterson, John Ford Paterson's niece, also had work in the same exhibition.

(11) The Age, July 31, 1945, see here.

(12) Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages. I was helped by the information provided in William Torr's ADB entry, see next footnote. 

(13) William George Torr (1853-1939) See his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by Arnold D, Hunt, here. There is  a history ot Old Oxford House in the Adelaide Advertiser of July 13, 1937, here, written on the occasion of its conversion to a Methodist Babies Home.

(14) Adelaide Register, June 16 1921, see here.

(15) Adelaide Register, September 16 1925, see here.

(16) Australian Christian Commonwealth, July 6, 1928, see here.

(17) Genealogy SA www.genealogysa.org.au

(18) Faireleight School,  established in 1870. When Isabella Henderson took over in 1910 she changed the name to Clyde. In 1920, Miss Henderson then opened a boarding school in Woodend, called it Clyde and thus the St Kilda school reverted back to the name of Faireleight. It closed in 1923. It was located at what is now 134 Alma Road, East St Kilda.

(19) Jane Sutherland (1853 - 1928) See her entry in the  Australian Dictionary of Biography, written by Frances Lindsay, here.

(20) Information about Elsie Barlow is from https://www.australian-art-gallery.com/australian-artists/Elsie-Frederica-Barlow-A375.htm This site incorrectly states that she was born in South Australia, she was actually born in Emerald Hill (South Melbourne). She had at least three other sisters born in Victoria -  Rose, Dora and Ruby. Dora, whose married name was Serle, was also an artist and  a member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (see next footnote).

(21) Peers, Juliet More than just Gumtrees: a personal, social and artistic history of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS, 1993). There are four references to Elsie in the book.

(22) There are various articles regarding Elsie Barlow and her role in establishing the Castlemaine Art Gallery - Mount Alexander Mail, August 16, 1913, see here; Young Daily Witness March 26, 1924, see here; Brisbane Courier August 28, 1926, see here; The Age, April 27, 1940, see here; 

(23) William Rowell's obituary The Age , August 22 1946, see here and the report of his retirment from the National Gallery due to ill health in The Argus, July 1, 1946, see here.

Carlo advises Koo Wee Rup Swamp Village Settlers to push for annexation to the Shire of Buln Buln

As early as 1897 the Village Settlers on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp began agitating to have their area secede from the Shire of Berwick and become part of the Shire of Buln Buln (1). The  settlers felt that they had more in common with the Buln Buln Shire. As well, Drouin, where the Buln Buln Shire Offices were located was closer the the settlers than the Shire of Berwick Offices at Berwick and the Buln Buln Shire had cheaper rates. One report said that nine-tenths of the settlers preferred Buln Buln to Berwick (2).

Some of the settlers thought they were already in the Buln Buln Shire as the boundary was the Bunyip River. The South Bourke and Mornington Journal reported that up to quite recently it was understood by the Buln Buln council that the Bunyip River was the boundary, which of course, means the main drain; but it was quietly shifted to the parish and county boundary some time ago without the knowledge of the last-named council (3), The main drain was the canalised section of the Bunyip River, which was dug between 1889 and 1893, the scheme having been engineered by William Thwaites of the Public Works Department.

Map of the Koo Wee Rup East Parish, part of the Shire of Berwick - this is the area the settlers wanted annexed to the Shire of Buln Buln. Click on the image for a clearer version.

Victoria 1:63 360 cadastral maps. Department of Crown Lands & Survey, 1940.

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/158546

To further their case, in August 1899 a deputation consisting of Messrs Leithhead, M'Namara, and Hill, representing the South Bunyip settlers, waited on the Public Works department, and in the course of a conversation with Mr. Catani, the engineer to the department, that gentleman advised them to apply to be annexed to a shire, as it would be greatly to their advantage. It was also suggested that the whole of the parish of Koo-wee-rup East could join Buln Buln Shire as new territory under section 46 of the Local Government Act, which gives the Governor in Council power to make orders for re-adjustment of boundaries of adjacent shires without any petition (4).

This was important advice from Carlo because the settlers had  an unusual problem. The Shire of Berwick had not yet began to levy rates on the settlers and under the Local Government Act only rate payers could petition for severance or annexation (5).

The newspaper report continued - Mr. Hill said that Mr. Catani stated that beyond the usual votes for roads to village settlements the Government would not do anything to the roads until the settlers became annexed to a shire. Any money voted for drainage works would be laid out at once....but any further monies for the road would have to be spent under the supervision of a shire council, which could get better value for work done than the department got. There was a lengthy conversation on this subject, and the speaker [Mr Hill] said that Mr. Catani appeared to think that it would be better for them to join the Buln Buln shire than allow Berwick to absorb them. The former being a fifth class shire got a subsidy on a higher scale, and the annual rate was also less. . . He pointed out that it was absolutely necessary to take steps that night, and appoint a deputation to interview the Buln Buln council the following day, and the initiative taken this month. He urged that the Berwick shire was making arrangements to rate the Swamp areas, and if once rated, a number of vexatious formalities would have to be gone through before they could be severed from Berwick and annexed to Buln Buln (6). 

It's not like me to criticise Carlo at all, but he was wrong on one fact - both Buln Buln and Berwick were both the same level of Shire - they were both in the second class (7).

The next month, September 1899, a deputation of settlers also met the Secretary for Public Works, Mr Martin who advised that the easiest way for the desired result to eventuate was for the the Berwick Shire to agree to severance and Buln Buln to agree to annexation (8).  In the same month, Mr Hill addressed a meeting of the Shire of Berwick. He did not get their support as the President moved that in view of the increased value land in the Koo-wee-rup East district it was not advisable that that portion of the shire should secede, and the request of the settlers be not granted; and suggested that the whole of the swamp area form a separate riding of the Shire of Berwick. - Seconded by Cr. a'Beckett and carried (9).

The issue surfaced occasionally in 1900, but it was not until 1901 when any hopes the settlers had of being annexed to Buln Buln were dashed. On May 31, 1901 the Iona Riding of the Shire of Berwick came into being which covered the entire Swamp area of the Shire (10). One of the settler's objections, that of the Shire Offices being too far away at Berwick, was also addressed, as from March 1902 all Council meetings were held in Pakenham, a more central location (11).

Settler's House - Koo Wee Rup Village Settlement

Illustrated Australian News of November 8, 1894 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/255107

The question remains, why was Carlo so adamant that the Swamp area should become part of the Shire of Buln Buln, rather than Berwick?  Was it only the practical matter of Buln Buln having cheaper rates and as he mistakenly thought had a different classification to Berwick?  Or was there something else? I'm sure there wasn't a personality clash, because Carlo was by all accounts genial and charming, so I  believe he was only looking after the best interests of the Village settlers on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, by advising they go with a Council that would save them money by charging them lower rates.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp History - I have another blog devoted to the history of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/

Trove list -  I have created a list of articles on this subject on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Warragul Guardian, November 30 1897, see here.
(2) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 22 1899, see here.
(3) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 22 1899, see here.

(4) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, August 23, 1899, see here.

(5) The Age, September 12, 1899, see here.

(6) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, August 23, 1899, see here

(7) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 20, 1899, see here.

(8) The Age, September 12, 1899, see here.

(9) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 20, 1899, see here.

(10) From Bullock Tracks to Bitumen: a brief history of the Shire of Berwick (Historical Society of Berwick, 1962), p. 10

(11) From Bullock Tracks to Bitumen: a brief history of the Shire of Berwick, op. cit., p.11.

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.