21. Arthur Chatley (1861-1939), plasterer
Arthur Chatley was born in Hobart, Tasmania, the sixth of eight children of William and Lydia Chatley. He was educated in Hobart and learned the trade of plasterer. He married Amelia Round in 1882. They moved to Melbourne and remained there until 1902.
Chatley, who was a member of the Brethren fraternity, had his own business in Inkerman Street, East St Kilda. In order to supplement his income to support his family, Chatley also worked in the Princess Theatre.
Arthur Chatley was commissioned by William Guilfoyle, Director of the Botanical Gardens, to design “The Temple of the Winds” monument in honour of Charles La Trobe, first governor of Victoria. It is said that Chatley placed old shoes and boots of family members in the foundations for the monument. After completing the monument in 1902, Chatley moved from Melbourne with his family to live at Manjimup, in Western Australia’s southwest. There he built a very fine family home, “Hillspring” on 160 acres. The property supported an apple orchard, cows and pigs. There were ten children, and five sons followed their father into the plastering craft.
Arthur and Amelia later lived in Subiaco, whilst his eldest son stayed at “Hillspring” until 1949. Over the years the acreage expanded to 714 acres. Arthur Chatley died in Perth in 1939, aged 79 years.