Alex Woolnough, “Painting with Stone” book launch a resounding success, The Catholic Weekly, 14 May 2025

Former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr praised the Melocco brothers’ significant contribution to Sydney’s religious architecture and zeitgeist, when launching the book Painting with Stone at the State Library of NSW on 9 May.

The architectural biography concerns Peter, Antonio and Galliano Melocco, craftsmen whose work up to around the middle of last century accounted for 90 per cent of Sydney’s mosaics and terrazzo work, including St Mary’s Cathedral’s crypt.

“The very vestibule we stand in this evening, and St John’s College, the crypt and sacristy at St Mary’s Cathedral, none of this would be possible if a young [Peter Melocco] didn’t tell Cardinal Moran in 1910, ‘Yes I can do this for you.’”

Around a hundred Sydneysiders gathered at Mitchell Library for the occasion held in the vestibule that Peter, Antonio and Galliano Melocco crafted in 1940.

Carr, who is also chair of Museums of History NSW, later told The Catholic Weekly that the Melocco brothers were an example of how to use one’s talents to express one’s faith.

“Their work at the cathedral not only says a lot about Catholic history but also about their dedication to both their craft, their faith and to those they lent their services to,” he said.

Francesca Hynes, granddaughter of Peter Melocco, said they couldn’t have been pleased with the launch’s support and turnout.

“To have family and dear friends over to celebrate this occasion and this launch is absolutely amazing,” she said.

“The Melocco brothers brought out this amazing and glorious interpretation of Catholic tradition and faith through their craftsmanship, and hopefully their work can now be recognised more with this book.”

See also: The secret history of the Cathedral’s crypt mosaics