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Yarrawonga: An early start for Yarrawonga and the Town Hall. This imposing building opened in 1930 and it's
clock tower and high stage tower dominate the streetscape. Mr. I an McDonald has recommenced screenings at
the Town Hall by arrangement with the Council. Like most halls, the downstairs seating has been removed for
dancing but the dress circle seats remain. These have been reconditioned by an unusual method. The frames
have been re-painted and the seats sprayed with a type of flock, over the original weatherette. A large stage
and council offices complete this spacious building. Yarrawonga also has a basic country drive-in which com-
pleted its summer season in April. Visitors to the town find it a novelty now they are scarce.

Corowa N.S.W. The former Rex Theatre at the top of Sanger Street is also a variety store but the name
remains high above its' re-painted art-deco facade. The foyer and dress circle have been gutted to make one
large selling area but the stage and curtains remain. An artist has rendered the back wall of the stage with a
good depiction of the "Ben Hur" logo. Evidence of art deco decoration using wall paper and paint rather than
plaster remains on the walls. A well-known brand of pressure-pack cleaners and lyre shine was far cheaper
here than in Melbourne.

Rutherglen: A short drive to Rutherglen Soldiers Memorial Hall and an inspection hosted by Mrs. Judy Harrison
of the Rutherglen Historical Society. The first films were shown in 1920 in the previous Town l-lall next door and
a wall of that building forms the backstage wall of the present site. This building opened in 1927 and talkies
arrived in June, 1929. A new screen was fitted in 1956 and the Raycophone equipment was eventually pur-
chased by the Council. Raycophone sound and projectors were Australian made and typical of many smaller
locations. The small balcony was extended in 1952 by adding a steel girder and a library, supper room and
spacious kitchen added in 1955.

The projection room has two longer-than-normal casement windows which open out, excellent ventilation on a
hot night. Closer inspection revealed the left-hand window was also the emergency escape route, straight
down the side of the building via a vertical steel ladder. No time for vertigo or dizzy spells if the nitrate film was
on fire!

Wangaratta: Our last call on a busy weekend was at the Wangaratta Cinema Centre, opened in 1995 and a
good example of a modem three-screen complex. Built high above an existing shopping arcade, the main
entrance is not readily apparent and gives no indication of the spacious interior. A large fully-air-conditioned and
fully automated projection room serves the three screens. The auditoriums are well raked and the ceilings quite
high. Capacities are 114, 158 and 234. "Titanic" screened for 22 weeks, a remarkable season for a provincial
city. Again, our thanks to Mr. Jamie Waters, Manager of The Centre, and John, the duty projectionist who
answered all questions so patiently.

OBITUARY

Kevin Cork 1946- 1998

It is with regret that we advise members of the recent sudden death of Kevin Cork. Kevin
resided in Sydney and was past Secretary and President of the Australian Cinema and Theatre
Society. He was a prolific theatre researcher and writer, and at the time of his death was com-
pleting a thesis on cinema for an M.A. (Hons) degree. Kevin also wrote or co-authored a large
number of articles, pamphlets, and books on cinemas and theatres.

Our Society is indebted to Kevin Cork for his encouragement and valuable assistance in estab-
lishing our own archival collection. On a personal note I will miss the occasional telephone
conversations we exchanged, and also my visits to his home to talk about our shared cinematic
hobby. Kevin's commitment to researching and writing was inspirational and he will be sadly
missed.

Kevin is survived by his wife Merle and his children Stuart and Julie, and to them we offer our
sincerest sympathy.
Gerry Kennedy -Archivist

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