Catani World War Two Honor Board - those honoured

The Catani World War Two Honour Board was unveiled on July 13, 1947 (read about this here.) The Honour Board is housed in the Soldiers' Memorial Hall (read about this here.)

Catani Roll of Honour. 

 Image: Photographer: Sandra Brown. 

https://www.monumentaustralia.org/themes/conflict/ww2/display/98477-catani-roll-of-honour. 

This is a list of all the men and women who are honoured on this Board. I am in the process of identifying them all, with their service number, so this is a work on in progress. Some of the identifications are a guess, based on a local place of birth or a connection to a local town such as Longwarry, Modella, Bunyip, Garfield, Bayles, Cora Lynn, Vervale, Iona, Heath Hill, Yannathan, Yallock, Caldermeade, Monomeith,  Koo Wee Rup and, of course, Catani. There are seven women on the Honour board and they are listed under their maiden name, but their file at the National Archives of Australia is  sometimes under their married name, so they are a bit trickier to find. Two men made the supreme sacrifice and did not return -  Norman Neil McDonald and Stanley Stratton.

Alchin, Jean Mary (Meaker). VF397022. Jean was born in Sydney on October 21, 1920; her next of kin and guardian was Mrs Gardiner of Ferndale, Catani. Jean enlisted on November 25, 1942 and was discharged on May 30, 1945 at her own request on compassionate grounds. See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Anderson, Athol David. V42467. David said he was born on September 1, 1900 in Tasmania, however when he enlisted in February 1916 in the First AIF, his stated age was 24 years old, thus born in 1892. It appears he  took 8 years off his age to enlist the second time. What was his local connection? His address was Heath Hill Post Office.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Bailey, Francis Allan. V64177. Francis was born November 14, 1913; he was a farmer and his address was Yannathan. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Bonnett, Joseph William. VX50670. Joseph was born September 9, 1916 and he was a farm hand and his address was Catani. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Burnett, John Thomas. VX44163. John was born in Garfield on December 28, 1916 and his address on enlistment was Vervale.See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Corbin, Clarence William. VX127664. Clarence was born in Koo Wee Rup on December 23, 1923.  His next of kin was his father, William Osment Corbin of Catani. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Corbin, Florence May. VF387856. Florence, the elder sister of Clarence and Leslie,  was born in Bunyip, on November 12, 1922. Her next of kin was her mother, Nabetha Ellen Corbin of Catani.  See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Corbin, Leslie Raymond. RAAF 126139. Leslie was born on December 14, 1924 in Koo Wee Rup and his next of kin was his father, William Osment Corbin of Catani. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Exell, L. An uncommon surname, and there are eight L. Exells in the WW2 Nominal rolls, but I cannot find one with a local connection.  William Barclay Excell and his wife Eva are listed in the Electoral Roll in 1934; he is the bank manager at the Commercial Bank in Bunyip, so possibly is connected to them. 

Fechner, B. The Fechners are a well known family in the area, but I cannot work out who this B. Fechner is who enlisted. 

Fisher, Edward Bert. V506404. Edward was born in Bunyip on September 2, 1924. His next of kin was his father, William Fisher, of Modella.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Fisher, Ronald Ephraim.  RAAF 42380. Ronald is the older brother of Edward and he was born October 17, 1922. His father William of Modella, was also his next of kin. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Goddard, Bruce. VX140059. Bruce was born on October 15, 1917 in Maffra. His next of kin was his father, James Henry Goddard of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Goddard, James Thomson. VX26064. James is the older brother of Bruce and he was born on July 30, 1916. His father, James, of Cora Lynn,  was also his next of kin. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Goddard, Annie Urquhart, listed as Nancy on the Honour Board. VF346971. Nancy was born on July 30, 1916, which makes her a twin of James. Her next of kin was also her father, James of Cora Lynn.  Corporal Nancy Toby (nee Goddard) was welcomed home, with other locals in October 1945 (see below). Her married name was actually Tober. See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Welcome Home

Bunyip & Garfield Express, October 26, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article282208538

Harker, Mavis (Schreiber). VFX66210. Mavis was born December 12, 1920 in Yannathan. Her next of kin was her father,  George Ernest Harker of Yannathan, See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Hunnam, Frederick. VX35349. Frederick was born June 12, 1911, he was a farmer and  he lived at Catani. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Kitson, Brian Claude. VX123641. Brian was born on December 13, 1921. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Claude James Kitson of Catani.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Kitson, Harold Strachan. VX23324. Harold was born on August 24, 1916. His mother, Margaret Kitson, was his next of kin and her address was c/o Bayles Post Office; he was also a farmer. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Kitson, Lionel James. V37714. Lionel was born October 7, 1917 and his father Claude was his next of kin; Claude's address was also the Bayles Post Office. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Kitson, Mavis Eliza (Patullo) RAAF 95499. Mavis, the sister of the three men, above, was born on April 11, 1919 and her next of kin was her father Claude of Catani.   See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Mavis was married to John Leigh Patullo, see below. 

The Kitsons -  Harold, Lionel, Mavis and Brian are the children of  Claude and  Margaret Kitson, of Catani. 

Mavis Kitson

Image:  https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=204124132

Lennox, Keith. VX9720. Keith was born on May 3, 1915 at Vervale. His next of kin was his father , Robert of Catani. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

McDonald, Hector Rodney. V81659. Hector was born on January 20, 1893. His sister, Anne Euphemia McDonald of Catani, was his next of kin. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Hector and his three brothers, also served in World War One. Norman, below, is his nephew; the son of his brother, also called Norman.  Read about the McDonald brothers  here.

McDonald, Norman Neil. RAAF 409729.  Neil was born on December 17, 1916. Norman went missing in air operations over Germany and was presumed dead on May 22, 1944. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Norman Neil McDonald. 

Image: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=205701415

Matthews, Cyril James. VX116815. Cyril was born on May 21, 1919; his next of kin was his father, William Matthews of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Matthews, Lawrie William. VX140045. Lawrie was born on March 13, 1921; he is the younger brother of Cyril. His next of kin was also his father, William of Cora Lynn.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Murnane, William Patrick. VX26110. William was born on September 26, 1910. His mother, Mary Anne Murnane of Catani was listed as his next of kin.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Myers, Raymond Douglas. VX87098.  Raymond has two birth dates listed in his file - June 22, 1921 and December 8, 1920 and he also has two places of birth listed - Bunyip and Garfield. His birth places are the closest connection to Catani, which I could find. His next of kin was his father, David of Noble Park.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Mynard, Herbert William. RAN W/2179. Herbert was born in Garfield on January 6, 1917.  His next of kin was his father, Christopher Henry Mynard of Catani. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Norton, Edward John. VX132243. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Norton, Hazel Agnes. RAAF 174212. See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Hazel Norton

Image: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=204211015

Norton, Jack. VX63940. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Norton, Noel Condah. VX150541.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

O’Neill, James Joseph. V69948. James was born in Yallock on December 14, 1914. His next of kin was his father. Francis Joseph O'Neill of Catani.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Patullo, John Leigh. VX108565. John was born in Catani on February 24, 1921. He was a farmer and his next of kin was his father, Abraham Alfred Patullo, of Catani.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. John was married to Mavis Kitson, see above. 

Peck, Raymond Wallace. VX108571. Raymond was born in Koo Wee Rup on March 7, 1921. His next of kin was Frederick Ernest Peck of North Road, Yannathan. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Pettit, Alfred Alexander. VX59101. Alfred was born in England on November 3, 1904. He was a farm labourer and his address on  enlistment was Catani.  Alfred was a widower and had one son, Alfred Willian Pettit, born in 1936, who was at the Salvation Army Creche in Canning Street, North Carlton and whose guardian was the Superintendent of St James' Mission, La Trobe Street, Melbourne.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Porter, G. Kenneth, see below, had a younger brother Gordon, and I believe he is the man on the Honour Board, but I cannot identify a service record for him. They were the sons of Donald Alexander Porter and Evelyeen Myrtle 'Ivy' Porter of Iona.

Porter, Kenneth Tasman. VX126552. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Catani Honours Service Men and Women

Bunyip & Garfield Express, September 13, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article282208728

Pumphrey, Andrew Baird. VX69284. Andrew was born on March 3, 1919; his next of kin was his father, Joseph Pumphrey, of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Pumphrey, Ivan Robert. VX41899. Ivan was born August 7, 1916 in Longwarry South. He was a farmer and is the older brother of Andrew. His next of kin was also his father, Joseph of Cora Lynn. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Scanlan, Joseph Bernard. VX41879. Joseph was born on July 25, 1900 and his next of kin was his mother, Ellen Mary Scanlan, of Catani.  However, Joseph also served in World War One, enlisting in May 1916, and at the time he said he was 21, which means he was born in 1895, so it appears he took five years  off his age, when he joined up the second time. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Joseph is on the Cora Lynn First World War Memorial, read about this here.

Shreeve, Elsie Blanche (Griffin). VF346647. Elsie was born on April 30, 1921 in Garfield. Her next of kin was her father, William Herbert Shreeve of Eleven-Mile Road, Garfield.   See her Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Elsie Shreeve

Image: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6622333

Stratton, Stanley. VX48178. Stanley was born on June 21, 1915. His next of kin was his wife, Esme Gladys Stratton,  of Catani.  Stanley was Killed in Action on October 24, 1942 and is buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Stanley Stratton

Image: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6130654

Walsh, Michael Aubrey. VX142342. Michael was born on November 17, 1913. His next of kin was his father Thomas Walsh of Catani. I presume the family is the source of the name Walsh's Road in Catani.  See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Weaven, William George (listed as Weaver on Honour Board).  RAAF 147581. William was born on September 30, 1925. His address was Caldermeade and he was employed as a carrot weeder by Mr W. Lineham of Yannathan.  His next of kin was his father, Hector George Weaven,  whose address is listed variously as Tanjil South and Cora Lynn and Caldermeade. See his Service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Sources

National Archives of Australia  www.naa.gov.au

World War Two Nominal roll https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2

Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

Catani World War Two Honor Board - the unveiling

The Catani World War Two Honor Board was unveiled on Sunday, July 13, 1947.  The Honor Board is  housed in the Catani Memorial Hall (see here), which is currently closed to the public, so I assume it is still there. The Koo Wee Rup Sun covered the event.  

Catani Roll of Honor. 

 Image: Photographer: Sandra Brown. 

https://www.monumentaustralia.org/themes/conflict/ww2/display/98477-catani-roll-of-honour. 

Catani Honor Roll.

Impressive Unveiling Ceremony.

Catani Hall seating accommodation was fully taxed last Sunday afternoon by local residents and visitors from both near and far. To witness the unveiling ceremony of an honor roll containing the names of forty-six Catani men and women who served their King and County in the Second War World.

The stage was nicely decorated with vases and jardinières containing flowers. Prior to unveiling the honor roll was screened by the Union Jack, with the Australian flag on the left and the Boys Scouts ‘on the right. Two members of the Bots Scout’s Troop acted as standard –bearers each side of the honor roll.  Mr. W. Hubbard of Kooweerup, officiated  as organist. Cr. M. Bennett, M.L.A., president of the Catani Welcome Home Committee, was chairman, and with him on the dais were Lt.-Col. R.S. Ryan. M.H.R.;  Col. Geo. J. Bowden, M.H.R.;  Cr. W.C. Greaves, President of the Cranbourne Shire. Among other visitors present were Cr. W. Taylor and L.J. Cochrane, of Kooweerup, and J. Fallon, President of the Berwick Shire, and Mr and Mrs J. Downer, former Catani residents.

In extending a warm welcome to all, Cr. Bennett said their presence showed sincere appreciation of the great services rendered by those who had left Catani homes to help save their country. The Catani Welcome Home Committee had organized welcome homes to local ex-service men and women and now had arrived, as it were, the last night of the drama. On the honor roll, he said, were inscribed the names of forty-six ex-service men and women who had heard their country’s call. Unfortunately two of them had failed to return, and to their relatives they tendered their deepest sympathy. They had the knowledge, however, that their loved ones had paid the greatest sacrifice possible for anyone to pay. It was delightful to see such an assembly present and the committee was delighted to have their presence. The ladies, he said, had provided afternoon tea and desired all after the ceremony to participate in same.

In supporting Cr Bennett’s welcome to those present, Cr. W.C. Greaves said as a representative of the shire it was a pleasure to him to be present do the honor to the men and women of the Catani district who had served in the forces. The shire, he said, was proud of the number of men and women who had enlisted within its boundary. They had served on land and sea and in the air and had given good service. On behalf of the shire he extended a hearty welcome to those present on such a memorable day.

The chairman then announced apologies for non-attendance from Lt.-Col. Dennett, M.L.A., and Mr Bailey, jun.

Following the singing of “All People That on Earth do Dwell” by the congregation, Mr. A. Freeman, of Kooweerup, and an ex-prisoner of war, spoke on behalf of the Church. He said that after his Army experience to again find himself that afternoon faced by two colonels gave him a kind of tremor and that vibration had increased by being asked to speak in the presence of politicians. Having been referred to by the chairman as a padre, he wished to say that he was only an “unofficial’’ padre of his unity while a prisoner of war. This unofficial office, however, had given him a better opportunity to contact the boys. He was pleased to be present to do honor to the men and women of the Catani district who had helped to attain ultimate victory. They should be ever thoughtful and grateful of their services. They went away, not counting the cost, to defend the Empire in its day of crisis, and all, he said, should dedicate their lives to their Country and their King. The supreme sacrifice made by many could only be justified by men and women in the days to come. They had played their part and were watching to see how the people had appreciated the work they had done. By looking back a lesson could be learnt and all should have faith and hope in the future. No sacrifice to them had been too great a price to pay. A kind of future to justify the past must rise to its moral demands. To him the war was still on, as greed, hate and selfishness were pulling the standard of Empire down. Service for the right is victorious and they should dedicate their lives to the service of mankind for the uplifting of the people. He believed the Government had not done its job to ex-service men and women, especially to the widows of those who had paid the supreme sacrifice. All should try to do all they could to repay those who had rendered such sacrifices.

The hymn, “Lest We Forget,” was then sung by the congregation.

Col. Bowden said he felt it a great honor to be associated with his Federal Government colleague (Lt.-Col Ryan) and shire councillors to join in paying tribute to the inscribed names on the honor roll. At some time and at some place all had taken a hand in the recent war. To the boys and girls who returned they said well done, but they owed a greater debt to those who had lost their greatest possession – life. They paid homage to the memory of those boys, also to their parents, wives and sisters. The people sympathised with them in their sorrow and hoped they would be comforted by the fact that their loved ones’ sacrifices had made victory possible. If the nation desires to appreciate their sacrifices, all should have the right to enjoy the freedom and justice won by the war, and no dictatorship should be accepted. The privileges the people now enjoy should always be with them, remembering they have retained these privileges only through the war service of their men and women. In paying tribute to ex-prisoners of war, Col. Bowden said it was their steadfastness which had delayed the occupation of Australia by the Japanese. Thousands of prisoners had lost their lives owing to starvation and disease, and the people should do their part in seeing that the country will ever remember them. The turning of the tide in the recent hostilities was not by wealth, but by the character of the people of the British Empire alone. At the outbreak of the war England was prepared, but the people’s courage and fortitude gave renewed hope, and Australia was proud to belong to the Empire.

Accompanied on the piano by Miss Jessie Coates, Mr Lindsay Mortimer nicely sang ”There is no Death”  and as an encore number rendered “Arise, O Sun.”

Cr. Bennett then called on Lt.-Col. Ryan to unveil the honor roll.

Lt.-Col. Ryan said the people of to-day were living in a Godless material age, seeking after the latter instead of spiritual things.  Peace will only be won and maintained by service, sacrifice and co-operation of man. There were, he said, forty-six named of ex-service men and women of Catani on the honor roll, two of whom had laid down their life.

He then unveiled the honor roll, all present standing in silence, while the organist played Handel’s “Dead March in Saul”, followed by “The Last Post,” sounded by Mr E.H. Lawrence, of Five Mile, and the singing of the National Anthem.

The chairman thanked Mr Hubbard and Mr Lawrence for assisting in the ceremony, and before dispersing all greatly appreciated a dainty afternoon tea provided by the ladies.

The following names are inscribed in gold on a nicely constructed board:-
D. Anderson, J.Bonnett, J. Burnett, F. Bailey, C. Corbin, L.Corbin, L. Excell, E. Fisher, 

R. Fisher, B. Fechner, J. Goddard, B. Goddard, F. Hunnan, H. Kitson, B. Kitson, 

L. Kitson, K. Lennox,  *N. McDonald, C. Matthews, L. Matthews, W. Murnane, 

H. McDonald, D. Myers, H. Mynard, J. Norton, N. Norton, E. Norton, J. O’Neill, A. Pettit, 

A. Pumphries, I. Pumphries, K. Porter, G. Porter, R. Peck, L. Patullo, *S. Stratton, 

J. Scanlon, M. Walsh, W. Weaver, Jean Allchin, Florence Corbin, Nancy Goddard, 

Mavis Harker, Mavis Kitson, Hazel Norton, Elsie Shreeve. 

*Paid the supreme sacrifice.

(Koo Wee Rup Sun July 16, 1947 page 1.)

Some of these names are spelt incorrectly, but they have been corrected in this post - https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2026/10/catani-world-war-two-honor-board-those.html which gives more information about the men and women on the Honour board. 

Soldiers' Memorial Hall at Catani

The Catani Soldiers' Memorial Hall was opened on October 19, 1928.  

Grand Opening Ball advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 4, 1928. p.1

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of October 25, 1928 had the following report  -

Catani Soldiers’ Memorial Hall

Official Opening.

Friday, the 19th inst., was a night that will be long remembered by residents, it being the opening date of the new Soldiers’ Memorial Hall at Catani. The committee as well as the ladies who had charge of the decorations, catering, etc., anxiously watched all day the heavy clouds that forecasted a downpour, and about six p.m. a heavy storm broke, and in less than an hour over an inch of rain was recorded. This was welcome from a primary production standpoint, but not so by the committee. By 9.30 p.m., however, the hall being lighted by an installation of 10 Gloria lights, presented a crowded and brilliant scene. Over 200 people were present, visitors coming from all the surrounding districts.

As the gathering comprised old and young, it was decided to have old-time dances as well as modern, and at intervals songs, recitations and musical items were rendered, which kept the whole assemblage in a very happy mood.

Mr Walsh, chairman of the Hall committee, presided. At 10.45 p.m. he called a halt in the dancing and gave a statement of how the funds were provided for the erection of the hall, which had cost just on £1000 for construction. This amount was provided by the Closer Settlement Board , carrying interest and sinking fund to the amount of seven per cent per annum, liquidating the total indebtedness of construction in 20 years. Fifty pounds had been obtained from the H.V. McKay Estate fund, and over £200 had been raised by local effort in donations, gifts of stock, and local entertainments, which enabled the committee to pay £100 deposit to the C.S.B., install seating accommodation for over 200 people, a Gloria lighting plant, as well as pay £40 on a piano and erect entrance gate, fencing, etc. The committee still retains a credit balance, which will enable it to carry-out improvements later on. The chairman then called on Cr. Bennett to welcome visitors and invited guests, and read apologies from Anzac House, Mr Moore, of the C.S.B., Mr Onley (Lang Lang), and Mr Lawrie (Bunyip), expressing disappointment at not being able to attend.

Cr. Bennett, on behalf of the committee, said, like all other sections of the community, the people of Catani desired to express in some way their appreciation of what our soldiers had done for Australia and the Empire in the Great War. Hence the erection of a memorial hall, and as long as the building remained with its inscription it would be a reminder of what the hall stood for. He extended a hearty welcome to all, and the committee’s appreciation of the fine gathering.

Mr Hodgson (Kooweerup) replied on behalf of the various branches of the Returned Soldiers’ League.  The chairman then called on Mr Walter, M.L.A., to officially declare the hall open.

Mr Walter expressed pleasure at being present, and said he felt it an honor to be asked to open the hall. He complimented the committee and residents on the erection of such a well-equipped and excellently finished building and felt sure its usefulness would be appreciated by all and that the young people would have many happy evenings in the future. He then declared the hall open, after which the National Anthem was sung.

The comforts of the visitors were officially carried out by members of the Catani branch of the Women’s Section of the Country Party.

Ex-Cr. McCulloch moved a vote of thanks to Howell’s Orchestra, which provided the music free, the district business people, whose donations in kind helped very materially in providing the supper, and the district ladies, who worked splendidly for the comfort of the visitors. The vote was carried by acclamation.

Cr. Greaves, Shire President, expressed pleasure at being present and congratulated residents on having such an up-to-date hall and concluded by moving a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman. Mr Walsh suitably responded.

At about 2.30 a.m. the strains of music ceased and the assemblage drifted away, all agreed that they had spent a most happy and enjoyable evening.

1928 - Plan of the Catani Soldiers' Memorial Hall. Note the Bio-box is above the entrance.

Image: Catani Hall file - Public Building Files (VPRS7882)

I looked at the file at the Public Records Offices  of Victoria and the following is a time line from information from the Catani Hall file - Public Building Files (VPRS7882) at the Public Records Office of Victoria, created by the Department of Public Health. Two of the  1959 entries were supplied by the Cardinia Shire, the other four, as indicated are from the Shire of Cranbourne meeting minutes.

1928 Plans and specifications for the hall were completed by Evan Smith, Chief Architect, Closer Settlement Branch of the Public Works Department.

1928 October 19  Hall opened.

1928 Secretary – W.J. Henwood.

1930 March  Inspection by Health Commission, who could not inspect the bio-cabin and it was not to be used before a separate inspection was undertaken.

1930 April 11 Health Commission objection to bio-cabin withdrawn and it may be used at your own risk pending further inspection.

1930 Secretary A.A. Patullo

1936 August Ten electric lights installed

1938 August Inspection by Health Commission – the floor of the bio-cabin to be covered with fire resisting material…you are further advised that the use of the Hall for cinematograph purposes is prohibited.

1938 Secretary C.E. Bourne

1939 Erection of store room approved for the storage of military equipment so they could lease the Hall to the Army for drill purposes for the local unit of the 14th Battalion.

1939 Health Commission inspection report - provide all weather path to toilets

1940 - 1950 Secretary - Hugh Carr Mc Donald

1940 March Health Commission inspection – notify the Commission before again using the bio-cabin.

1941 December Renewal of application for use of the building as a public building – 400 people was listed as the maximum accommodation.

1950 February 8 Health Commission inspection report – provide all weather path to toilets

1952 Renewal of application for use of the building as a public building – 499 people was listed as the maximum accommodation.

1955 July 28 Health Commission inspection report – provide all weather path to toilets and remove blackberries and grass from toilet enclosures

1959 January 7 Crown Grant of the land to Leslie Albert Ashby, Clifford Burrall Sutton and Wallace George Malcolm of Catani and Hector Templeton McColl of Bunyip dated 7 January 1959.

1959 January 16 - Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Trustees of Catani Soldiers' Hall. Asking Council to act as Trustees for the Catani Soldiers Hall. Crs Evans and Fechner: - That the letter be received and the Hall Trustees be informed that the Council would agree to the transfer of the Hall Site to the Council, provided the Trustees pay all legal transfer fees, the Hall is managed and maintained, without cost to the Council, by a Committee elected at a Public Meeting and approved by the Council.

1959 September 11  Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Trustees Catani Hall. Accepting Council's offer to accept ownership of the Catani Hall. Crs Webb and Fechner: - That letter be received and the transfer of Catani Public Hall Site to the Council be arranged.

1959 October 9  Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Hall Sites - Transfer to Council. Crs Webb and Greaves:- That the transfers of the Catani Public Hall Site and the South Lyndhurst Community Centre Site to the name of the Council be signed.

1959 November 7 Land Transferred to Cranbourne Shire Council as a gift by above named on 7 November 1959

1959 November 13 - Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Catani Soldiers Hall Committee. Understand Council is making funds available to assist Hall Committees. Asks for a grant to renovate the Hall. Crs Cochrane and Fechner: - That the letter be received and the Committee be advised that the Council is assisting with the maintenance of Recreation Reserves only.

1961 Health Commission inspection report – provide all weather path to toilets and remove blackberries and grass from toilet enclosures

1961 July 14 Shire of Cranbourne Medical Officer report re inspection of toilet facilities in the Shire – Catani Hall – Unsatisfactory – require attention right through.

1961-1964 Mr Matthews Secretary

1964 Nov 24  Health Commission inspection report - Remove blackberries and grass from toilet enclosures

1972 December Toilet plans drawn up. They were an extension to the hall, to replace the external toilets.

1974 November Cranbourne Shire plans for toilets submitted – 15 pages of specs plus plans.

1975 July Toilet plans resubmitted as first application was missing

1975 October Toilet plans approved

1976 September 28 Approval from Commission of Public Health to open new toilets

1978 Structural alteration discussed but were not proceeded with

1979 December 20 Last item in file. It is regarding proposed alterations.

The Hall was closed by the Cardinia Shire around 2024.  

One day, I will do another post on the Hall, with a focus on the social activities which took place there.

Koo Wee Rup, Bayles and Catani - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Subscriber Trunk Dialling (S.T.D.) came to Koo Wee Rup on Sunday June 24, 1973, so you no longer had to ring an operator to have  a call put through to another exchange or interstate. On the same day  telephone subscribers from Bayles, Beaconsfield Upper, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Officer, Pakenham, Pakenham South, Pakenham Upper, The Gurdies and Yannathan South could also access S.T.D. calls.  People also received a new 6-digit telephone number (with an 059 area code) and thus the Koo Wee Rup Sun telephone number changed from Koo Wee Rup 16 to 971-416 and the Bayles Milk Factory changed from Bayles 201 to 977-201 (5)

The PMG produced an Interim Telephone Directory in 1973 with all the new numbers and these are the entries for Koo Wee Rup and Bayles. 

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for -

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

I have written about the history of the telephone service in Koo Wee Rup, here.

Koo Wee Rup - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Koo Wee Rup - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Koo Wee Rup - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Bayles - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Bayles - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Catani - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

Catani - 1973 Interim Telephone Directory

See the entries from the 1973 Interim Telephone Directory for -

Lang Lang, Yannathan Lower and Yannathan South, here.

Pakenham South, Cardinia, Clyde, Tooradin and Warneet, here.

Change of road names in Catani and Yannathan

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of January 16, 1979 published this notification of the re-naming of roads -

South Yannathan Road between O'Sheas Road and Westernport Road renamed Thwaites Road.

O'Sheas Road, Priestleys Road and the section of the South Yannathan Road between O'Sheas Road and Priestleys Road renamed Heads Road.

No. 3 Drain Road running between Koo-wee-rup Longwarry Road and South Yannathan Road renamed McCraws Road

Edies Road between South Yannathan Road and Pioneer Road renamed Cameron Road.

Wates Road running between South Yannathan Road and North Yannathan Road renamed Purvis Road

New name              Old name
McCraws Road -    No. 3 Drain Road
Heads Road -         O'Sheas Road
Heads Road -         Priestleys Road
Cameron Road -    Edies Road
Thwaites Road -    South Yannathan Road
Purvis Road -        Wates Road