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All photos: Alan Windley collection Memorial Hall Cohuna 1997

a garage and a new car outlet in Main Street. Mr. O'Halloran The Memorial Hall was also used as a picture theatre over
was the exhibitor until it closed mid l 960's. O'Halloran a long period with Mrs. M.J. and J.A. Appleby & Co. as
Theatres operated out of Swan Hill. their theatre circuit exhibitors. This show also closed mid 1960's.
included four theatres in New South Wales and nine in
Victoria eight of which were '·REGENTs·· the other one References: "'Colmna 1875-1975" (Local Publication)
was the ··Paramount'" at Maryborough. Film Weekly Motion Picfllre DirectOI)' 1940-60

FIRST OVERSEAS TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND by Gerry Kennedy

From May 4 to 20. a group of CATHS-V members enjoyed Fullers theatres started in New Zealand and moved across
a very interesting tour to the North and South Islands of to Australia. J.C. Williamson's had a large chain of thea-
New Zealand. Flying from Melbourne to Christchurch (pop. tres and cinemas across New Zealand. Even theatre archi-
330,000) on the east coast of the South Island the tourists tects worked in both countries. H. E. White (a New Zea-
were hosted by the Film Buffs Association (FBA) at their lander) and Neville Hollinshed (an Australian) worked on
weekend convention. This wonderful weekend set the pace both sides of the Tasman.
for the rest of the tour. We enjoyed wonderful hospitality.
great entertainment and picture post card scenery. It was interesting to see how much theatre preservation
had taken place or was planned. Even in country areas
The tour continued from Ch1istchurch by the Trans Alpine former cinemas has been acquired by local Councils or com-
tourist train to the rugged west coast arriving at Grey mouth. munity organizations, and converted into multi purpose
We then headed no1th to Westpo1t and north east to Nelson theatre I cinema facilities. Some excellent independent
and Picton. We crossed the Cook Straight by ferry and cinema complexes were to be found at Sumner
arrived in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city (pop. (Christchurch), Nelson, Te Awamuru and Devon port (Auck-
320,000). From Wellington the tour continued up the west land). The owners of these properties had gone to great
coast to Foxton then onto Palmerston North (pop. 70,000), trouble and expense to convert single screen theatres to
Hastings and Napier (the Art Deco towns on the East Coast). well appointed complexes with interesting decor treatments.
The tour then moved to Rotorua, Hamilton and on to Auck-
land (pop. approximately one million). The major highlights were tours of magnificently refur-
bished theatres such as the Royal (Christchurch), St. James
Vice President, Mike Trickett, acted as our tour leader and (Wellington), and theatre/cinemas such as the Regent
with the help of the FBA members. had organised a busy (Palmerston North). The "jewel in the crown·· was an ex-
itinerary including cinema and theatre inspections (of cur- tensive tour of the Civic (Auckland), fresh from its $NZ42
rent and past buildings), visits to home cinemas. movie million refurbishment and conversion to a lyric theatre.
and sound museums. In most places the FBA members were The Civic had been built as an atmospheric cinema seating
there to host and guide us or had pre- ananged inspec- 3,500. Indian themes decorated the extensive foyers, Per-
tions. In the central area of the North Island three FBA sian themes were used in the auditorium.
members joined our mini bus convoy for the day. The New
Zealand CATHS members, residents of the North Island, The stories of the many theatres and cinemas visited will
were also there to assist us. be told in both brief and detailed accounts in future issues
of CinemaRecord. It is to be hoped that CATHS-V will
We were surprised to find that there had been a great inter- again venture far and wide to both Australian and overseas
change of cinema and theatre entrepreneurs over the destinations. Thanks Mike for a great tour.
Tasman Sea, nicknamed by Kiwis. "the ditch".

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