LAA TTROBEANAROBEANA Journal of the C. J. La Trobe Society Inc. Journal ofVol.11, the No.C. J. 3, LaNovember Trobe 2012Society Inc. ISSN 1447-4026 Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2007 ISSN 1447-4026 La Trobeana is kindly sponsored by Mr Peter Lovell LOVEll CHEN ARCHITECTS & HERITAGE CONSULTANTS Lovell Chen Pty Ltd, Level 5, 176 Wellington Pde, East Melbourne 3002, Australia Tel: +61 (0)3 9667 0800 Fax: +61 (0)3 9416 1818 Email [email protected] ABN 20 005 803 494 Contents 4 Introduction 37 Jane Wilson A Word from the President Research Report: Charles La Trobe’s contribution to the establishment of the 5 Adrienne E. Clarke Horticultural Gardens at Burnley A Message from the Chancellor of La Trobe University 39 Susan Priestley Crises of 1852 for Lieutenant-Governor Tributes La Trobe, Captain William Dugdale and La Trobeana Henrietta Augusta Davies Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Inc. Dr Brian La Trobe Vol. 11, No 3, November 2012. 6 Tim Gatehouse 46 Dr Jean McCaughey The Turkish La Trobe: The career of ISSN 1447-4026 7 Claude Alexandre de Bonneval, the Editorial Committee 8 Mr Bruce Nixon Sultan’s advisor at the Ottoman Court Loreen Chambers (Hon Editor) Helen Armstrong Articles 54 Roz Greenwood Dianne Reilly Book Review: The French Closet by Robyn Riddett 9 R.W. Home Alison Anderson Burgess La Trobe’s ‘honest looking German’: Designed by Ferdinand Mueller and the botanical Reports and Notices Michael Owen [email protected] exploration of gold-rush Victoria Helen Botham For contributions and subscriptions enquiries contact: 56 Anna Murphy Anniversary of the Death of The Honorary Secretary: Dr Dianne Reilly AM 17 The C. J. La Trobe Society In Search of Three-leaf Clovers: A note Charles La Trobe 401 Collins Street on the Clover Glycine, Charles La Trobe Melbourne Vic 3000 and threatened species recovery in Victoria 57 Jack Martin Phone: 9646 2112 La Trobe Society Digitisation Project at Email: [email protected] 21 Sandi Pullman the Public Record Office Victoria Charles La Trobe and Ferdinand Mueller The C J La Trobe Society Inc was formed in 2001 to promote understanding and appreciation of the 60 Friends of La Trobe’s Cottage life, work and times of Charles Joseph La Trobe, Victoria’s first Lieutenant-Governor. 25 Tom Darragh www.latrobesociety.org.au Ferdinand Mueller and Charles La 61 Forthcoming events Trobe: ‘So many signs of benevolence FRONT COVER and favour’ Contributions welcome Thomas Woolner, 1825-1892, sculptor 62 Charles Joseph La Trobe 1853, diam, 24.0cm. Bronze portrait medallion showing the left profile of Charles Joseph La Trobe. 30 Lynn Blackwood Signature and date incised in bronze 1.1.: T. Woolner. Sc. 1853:/M The Contribution of Ronald Gunn to La Trobe, Charles Joseph, 1801-1875. Accessioned 1894 our knowledge of the Flora and Fauna La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria. of Tasmania 2 • Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Journal of the C J La Trobe Society • 3 A Message from the Chancellor of La Trobe University Introduction By Adrienne E. Clarke AC From the President he La Trobe Society AGMs are and archivists interested in exploring this past, becoming a not to be missed event in such as Tom Darragh, Anna Murphy, Jane ince commencing as Chancellor of considered idealistic – instead he wore it as a Tour annual calendar as they combine Wilson and Sandi Pullman have contributed to La Trobe University early last year, I have badge of honour. How very at home he would fascinating talks with a delicious meal. This our understanding in various ways. Shad the pleasure of discovering more feel today on campus at La Trobe University, year was no exception with Tim Gatehouse’s about the first Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, with our passionate and vocal student body. address on the incredible career of the ‘Turkish We have also included the text of the most Charles Joseph La Trobe. He was by all accounts La Trobe’ – Claude Alexandre de Bonneval. Tim interesting lecture Susan Priestley gave us on a truly visionary leader of his time. I recently hosted La Trobe University’s exceeded our expectations with his revelations the occasion of the annual AGL Shaw lecture, Annual Dinner where we honoured some of the amazing story of the Turkish connections hosted jointly by the Royal Historical Society of Members of the C J La Trobe Society of our most distinguished alumni including of Claude Alexandre de Bonneval. It seemed Victoria and C J La Trobe Society in June 2012 will be aware that Charles La Trobe was a man Garry Weaven – the founder of Australian hard to believe that a European establishment on ‘Crises of 1852 for Lieutenant-Governor of strong moral character and was driven by his superannuation, environmental conservationist figure with such aristocratic connections would La Trobe, Captain William Dugdale and need to make a difference to the communities he James Thomas, trade union leader Bill Kelty, provide military advice and support to the Turks Henrietta Augusta Davies’. Susan’s article, served. His legacy continues today at La Trobe respected author Don Watson, Australian Public in their march on Europe. I was reminded of based on her recently published book Henrietta University, which is known for its commitment Service reform leader Terry Moran and medical my visit to the Vienna History Museum where Dugdale: Activist 1827-1918 (2011), is written to social justice, amongst other things. In researcher Dr Hala Raghib. On reflection, these I saw displayed Turkish banners, pikes and in her usual witty and elegant prose and is this regular column I will let you know some great leaders do more than just embody La Trobe other battle artifacts and read the story of the meticulously researched. of the exciting developments at La Trobe values, they carry on the example of community Turkish invasion being stopped at the gates to University today. service set by our first Lieutenant Governor. Vienna. Tim discussed how it was Claude who I would like to take this opportunity, had advised the Sultan at the Ottoman Court on behalf of the La Trobe Society Committee Like the man himself, La Trobe In closing I would like to leave you with on European fighting techniques. Claude de and members, to acknowledge the generosity University is driven by progressive social values an excerpt from the speech delivered by our Bonneval is still known in Turkey though largely of Daryl Ross, one of our Vice-Presidents, and and a commitment to making a difference to Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar at the forgotten in Europe. Marjorie Ross, for their generosity in donating the communities we serve. From his arrival in dinner. In paying homage to our distinguished an Audioline Portable Sound System for use at Port Phillip in 1839 it was clear that Charles alumni, their pioneering spirit and unwavering The various botanical articles in this La Trobe’s Cottage and at other outdoor and La Trobe was a controversial figure with the idealism, he said: La Trobeana usher us into Summer and remind indoor functions. This much-needed piece courage to challenge the status quo. It is said he us of La Trobe’s passionate interest in Nature. of equipment will greatly improve the sound shocked the Victorian colonists with his strident “It (La Trobe) wasn’t a place where The eminent science historian Professor quality of our presentations. arrival speech: your prestige rested on your potential earning Rod Home presented a superb lecture on the capacity, but on what you stood for. What you legendary Ferdinand Mueller who as a young On a final note, I am delighted to inform “It will not be by individual had to say for yourself.” man arrived in Melbourne in 1852 and was you that at the recent Victorian Community aggrandisement, by the possession of numerous promptly appointed by Charles La Trobe as History Awards presented by the Public Record flocks and herds, or of costly acres, that we shall Charles La Trobe couldn’t have said it Government Botanist. Each time I visit our Office Victoria and the Royal Historical secure for the country enduring prosperity better himself. Royal Botanic Gardens I quietly thank La Trobe Society of Victoria our journal La Trobeana and happiness, but by the acquisition and for his vision and foresight in setting this land was awarded a Commendation in the category maintenance of sound religious and moral aside. The gardens are used for important – Local History – Small Publication Award institutions, without which no country can scientific research but as important are the category. Congratulations to Loreen Chambers become truly great.” generations of children who have grown up who oversees the editorial process, our designer with a love and appreciation of the serene beauty Michael Owen, and all connected with Religious sentiment aside, in these of these gardens. Other articles will entice producing our journal. passionate and pointed words it is clear that members to consider the superb legacy La Trobe Charles La Trobe placed people, values and and people, such as Ronald Campbell Gunn of Diane Gardiner community before personal acquisition and Van Diemen’s Land and Ferdinand von Mueller, Hon. President C J La Trobe Society materialism. He wasn’t afraid to ruffle a who have added to this legacy. Modern writers few colonial feathers. He did not fear being 4 • Journal of the C J La Trobe Society Journal of the C J La Trobe Society • 5 Dr Brian La Trobe Dr Jean McCaughey AO 1929-2012 1917-2012 A Tribute A Tribute Photo: angustrumble.blogspot.com rian Essex La Trobe passed away on His research career centred around waste t is with deep sadness that the La Trobe on to work as Research Fellow at the Institute Wednesday 12 September 2012 in management and energy from water.