La Trobeana Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Inc Vol 13, No 1, March 2014
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LAA TTROBEANAROBEANA Journal of the C. J. La Trobe Society Inc. Journal of Volthe 13, C. No J. 1,La March Trobe 2014 Society Inc. ISSN 1447‑4026 Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2007 ISSN 1447-4026 La Trobeana Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Inc Vol 13, No 1, March 2014 ISSN 1447‑4026 The C J La Trobe Society Inc was formed in 2001 to promote understanding and appreciation of the life, work and times of Charles Joseph La Trobe, Victoria’s first Lieutenant‑Governor. www.latrobesociety.org.au LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BRANDMARK REFRESH RECOMMENDED MASTERBRAND CONFIGURATIONS The brandmark always appears on white. When placed on a coloured background the brandmark has a white holding shape. La Trobeana When placed on a white background the holding shape disappears. is kindly sponsored by Mr Peter Lovell LOVELL CHEN MAARCHITECTSSTER BRAND & HERITAGE CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL VERSION and by Contents 4 A Word from the President Reports and Notices 5 Chancellor’s Column 40 Friends of La Trobe’s Cottage Articles 41 Helen Botham Remembering La Trobe in Litlington and 6 Harriet Edquist East Melbourne The Other La Trobe: E L Bateman at the Editorial Committee Melbourne Public Library 1860‑1866 42 The La Trobe Society Banner Loreen Chambers (Hon Editor), Helen Armstrong, Susan Priestley, Dianne Reilly, Fay Woodhouse 13 Bernard Wallace 43 John Botham Designed by The Enlightened Administrator and the The Superintendent’s Superhighway Michael Owen [email protected] Martinet Magistrate: Charles Joseph La Trobe and James Blair Forthcoming events For contributions and subscriptions enquiries contact: 45 The Honorary Secretary: Dr Dianne Reilly AM Contributions welcome The C J La Trobe Society 21 Susan Priestley 46 401 Collins Street Tracing the Marine Residence at Mount Melbourne Vic 3000 Martha: a research report Phone: 9646 2112 Email: [email protected] 25 Helen Armstrong Celebrating Charles Joseph La Trobe50 (1801‑1875): a research report FRONT COVER Thomas Woolner, 1825‑1892, sculptor Patrick Gregory Charles Joseph La Trobe 30 ‘Dear Jolimont’: a narrative 1853, diam. 24cm. Bronze portrait medallion showing the left profile of Charles Joseph La Trobe. Signature and date incised in bronze l.r.: T. Woolner Sc. 1853: / M La Trobe, Charles Joseph, 1801‑1875. Accessioned 1894 36 Dianne Reilly Pictures Collection, State Library of Victoria, H5481 The La Trobe Clock: a research report 2 • Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Vol. 13, No. 1 • March 2014 • 3 A Word from the President The Chancellor’s Column elcome to 2014 and the first edition General Meeting last August. Bernard Wallace he C J La Trobe Society’s annual I was very curious to know what he, as of the La Trobeana with its various has also been researching another interesting calendar is punctuated with a number someone new to the country, thought about Wfascinating and diverse articles. The person, James Blair the Police Magistrate for the Tof key events throughout the year, the Society and what he had learned about C J La Trobe Society this year will again offer Portland Bay District, a somewhat controversial culminating in the annual Christmas party. C J La Trobe. a variety of interesting and thought‑provoking man who was part of La Trobe’s world, albeit Christmas Cocktails under the Dome was held at lectures and functions for members. The one whom La Trobe met only a couple of times. the State Library of Victoria on 6 December “As an American, I must confess that I highlight of the 2013 Christmas season was our While Patrick Gregory has written us a narrative 2013. The event was most enjoyable and Society had not heard of C J La Trobe before I came Cocktail Party hosted by Sue Roberts, CEO and of the life of Sophie and Charles La Trobe at members were treated to an informative and to Australia; however, I was intrigued to learn State Librarian, in the State Library of Victoria’s their beloved Jolimont home. It reminds us that fascinating talk, La Trobe was Here! by writer and more about this important historic figure and domed La Trobe Reading Room which was history writing can take many forms. historian, Robyn Annear. was curious to understand why my University celebrating its centenary. Robyn Annear had been named after him,” Bruce observed. entertained us with a lively address entitled There are some fascinating pieces of As many members of the C J La Trobe ‘La Trobe was here!’ research from three of our busy La Trobe Society will know, over the last couple of years “Now that I know a little more, the Society committee members on matters as the Society and La Trobe University have been synergies and parallels are strikingly apparent Our annual Candlelit Carols held at diverse as a clock in the State Library of Victoria, working to build connections between the – in particular C J La Trobe ’s vision for his La Trobe’s Cottage on 16 December in the an intriguing marine reserve at Mt Martha and two organisations around mutual interests and colony and the research priorities that have been garden was also a delightful Society occasion. milestones in our celebration of the life and understanding. Accordingly representatives identified by La Trobe University. I look forward The distinguished soprano, Merlyn Quaife times of Charles Joseph La Trobe. There are from the University: Chief of Staff, Perry to finding out more about Charles La Trobe and with accompanying choir, provided a focus to also three reports written regarding the brilliant Sperling, Trusts and Foundations Officer, engaging more deeply with members of the what would have been an important religious and evolving La Trobe Society website (www. Caterina Demontis and Fundraising Officer, Society.” On being informed of the connection festival for the La Trobe family at Jolimont. Joan latrobesociety.com), as well as an update on our Bruce Moore joined Society members for the between Charles Joseph La Trobe and his uncle, Macdermid of the Friends of La Trobe’s Cottage relationship with St Peter’s Eastern Hill whose end‑of‑year gathering. the revered architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe decorated the rooms quite beautifully and the foundation stone was laid by Charles Joseph who redesigned the Capitol buildings and the gardeners who work throughout the year had La Trobe. Bruce Moore is new to both La Trobe White House, Bruce further added: “I have made a special effort for this occasion. University and Australia and this was his first been to Latrobe, Pennsylvania before. Now I I look forward to seeing you throughout C J La Trobe Society event. Originally from the know the connection.” This issue of La Trobeana has three the year at the various functions. US, he has spent the last seventeen years working most interesting contributions. Architectural as a fundraiser for an independent school in Adrienne E Clarke AC historian Professor Harriet Edquist has written Diane Gardiner Taiwan. His role at La Trobe University is to Chancellor, La Trobe University us an article on Edward La Trobe Bateman’s Hon. President C J La Trobe Society secure philanthropic support for the exciting involvement with the design of the Melbourne and important research that is being undertaken Public Library in the period 1860‑1866. It in La Trobe University’s Faculty of Science, is based on a lecture she gave at our Annual Technology and Engineering. 4 • Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Vol. 13, No. 1 • March 2014 • 5 reformer’s London office to illustrate a number woody dingle with its eye‑like of high‑quality gift books. Yet a comparison window, and sending up the between Jones’s architecturally‑derived interest motion of azure smoke between in ornament and Bateman’s ornamental book the silver trunks of aged trees; covers and borders indicate that the latter’s or grouped among the bright aesthetics were formed just as much under the cornfields of the fruitful plain; influence of John Ruskin, the most influential or forming grey clusters along nineteenth‑century art theorist and champion of the slope of the mountain side, the Gothic Revival. Bateman’s enthusiasm for the cottage always gives the medieval book illumination and commitment to idea of a thing to be beloved: a the representation of nature, his friendship with quiet life‑giving voice, that is as members of the Pre‑Raphaelite Brotherhood peaceful as silence itself.4 An aesthete and dreamer, Bateman was not a worldly man.5 He appeared disinclined or simply incapable of establishing a home or a design office of his own in Melbourne, working The other La Trobe: instead in a series of significant collaborations with people with specialised professional skills like Professor of Natural History, Frederick McCoy and architect Joseph Reed. The former E L Bateman at would have taught Bateman a great deal about the recognition, classification and use of exotic and native plant species when they collaborated on the botanic garden at the University of the Melbourne Public Melbourne 1856‑1862, while the latter provided both an office and professional expertise about building practice and architectural design. Library 1860‑1866 In 1858 Joseph Reed, the architect of the Melbourne’s Public Library and close By Harriet Edquist professional associate of Redmond Barry, Photographer unknown Chancellor of the University of Melbourne Edward La Trobe Bateman, ca. 1870‑ca. 1880 Harriet Edquist is Professor of Architectural History and Director of the RMIT Design albumen silver photograph and chief trustee of the Library, was appointed Archives at RMIT University, Melbourne. Actively engaged in the promotion of Australian Pictures Collection, State Library of Victoria, architect to the University and this point marks architecture, art and design, she has published widely and curated numerous exhibitions in H94.118 the beginning of his professional collaboration the area.