A Cato has come home
Wesley College has gratefully accepted the gift of a portrait of Dr Edwin Cato from Anne Scott Pendlebury, daughter of the artist Nornie (Eleanor) Gude.
Edwin was the son of the businessman and philanthropist Fred J Cato, and the brother of Alec Cato, who bequeathed his art collection to the College. Both were students at the College during LA Adamson’s time as headmaster and boarded for a year while the rest of their family travelled.
The Cato family are well known in Melbourne for their generous financial gifts to a number of organisations. It was Fred Cato who purchased and then donated the house that is now the Elsternwick Campus, and both Cato Hall and the Cato Room are named in his honour.
Anne remembers Dr Cato coming to the house for the portrait sittings. She remembers him as very theatrical and entertaining, and it seems he became a friend of the family as he often stayed for dinner. He also painted as a hobby while working as a surgeon, and two of his works are part of our collection.
Both Nornie and her husband Laurence Scott Pendlebury were professional artists, and Nornie’s works are in many regional, State and National galleries. She studied with many of the best mid-twentieth century artists, winning prizes and commissions.
You can view the portrait and the rest of the extensive Alec Cato collection online at https://wesleycollege.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/170
Anne Scott Pendlebury and her gift of the Dr Cato Portrait
'Applecross Jetty' by Dr Edwin Cato
'Figures on the Coast' by Dr Edwin Cato
