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to ensure our rural cinemas do not disappear because of financial pressure.

Mr. King expressed full support for the state-wide appeal launched by the National Trust of NS)V to save our remaining
rural cinemas. "These historic picture palaces are an important part of the rich fabric of our heritage that gives us a deep
sense of who we are. They are also a rare example of our 'living' heritage- places used for their original purpose.

Cinemas feature prominently in the social lives of rural communities and are often the focal point of popular culture for
many generatiops. Most were built before the war and so evoke fond memories of social and community gatherings," said
Mr. King. "For example, the Mudgee Regent Theatre has been owned by the same family for its 58 year existence and
boasts the widest CinemaScope screen in country NSW. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate in recognition of
its historic and social sjgnificance. It's imperative that we conserve and protect these rural meccas of popular culture for
future generations. I call on the big film distributors to adopt a flexjble approach in current distribution practices in rural
cinemas that allows our heritage to continue 'living' ."
For more information contact: Peter King Telephone (02) 9232-4671 Mobile 0418-414-736 Pager 6269-0487 You can visit
the Australian Heritage Commission website at http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage

Drive-in Take Away Interesting item on Filmnet (17 Feb 2000) ... HWR, LONDON
The Asda grocery store chain announced plans to screen drive-in movies at the car parks of its stores. Shoppers will pay per
car to park in front of a large screen showing Disney classics with usherettes on roller-skates delivering popcorn, hot dogs
and ice-cream to car customers who can listen to the movies on their car radios or sit in tiered seating area in each car park.
The project will be piloted at Asda's 24-hour store in York next month before being extended to 25 stores in April and May
and a further 25 by September.

What about shoppers who just want to buy groceries? How many people will leave the kids in the car all day watching
Disney? Filmnet is a free daily (Monday to Friday) internet Australian film industry newsletter. To receive the newsletter,
e-mail: contact@filmnet.org.au or see their website for details: http://filmnet.org.au

Empire and Barkly Theatres Up For Auction
Two significant former Hoyts theatres, the Empire (Windsor Theatre) and the Barkly Footscray, are up for Auction. The
Empire Theatre at 74 Peel Street, Windsor will be auctioned (Receiver's Auction) on Thursday 2nd March at 3pm. The
building features a meticulous modernlart-deco fit out and has a general license Class 2 for 500 patrons. Vacant possession.
The old Barkly Theatre (c.19 14) at 277-287 Barkly Street, Footscray will be auctioned on Thursday 9th March at 2pm.
Building needs a lot of renovation work and is subject to heritage listing conditions.

Organ Debut at Coburg Town HaU
On Sunday 20th February the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (Victoria) presented the Opening of the Coburg Organ
with Ray Thornley and Gail Dibben at the console and accordionist Bernadette. You can visit the TOSA website at http:/
/www. vicnet.net.au/-organ

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