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A Future Movie Mogul- Brendan Hawking                          by Gerry Kennedy




                                                                Arrangements were made with two film exchanges to sup-
                                                                ply films.  The projection and sound equipment was hired
                                                                from  Wynor Projection  Services  Pty.  Ltd.  The  hall  was
                                                                initially equipped  with  two Tokiwa  portable  35mm  pro-
                                                                jectors  and a  mono sound  system  is  used. Brendan  was
                                                                taught how  to  use the  projectors  and  the general  opera-
                                                                tions required in the projection booth. He also, with guid-
                                                                ance, books the programs. The Tokiwa projectors proved
                                                                to be unsuitable for the hall have since been replaced with
                                                                a Bauer machine utilising  a tower for film transport.  This
                                                                installation  has  improved both  the sight and sound qual-
                                                                ity at the haJl.

                                                                With assistance from his parents, April and Geoff Hawk-
                                                                ing,  members  of the Leo's Club,  and  under the supervi-
                                                                sion of the Rush worth Lions Club the Rush worth Cinema
                                                                opened on 7  January  2000 with  "Tarzan" screening at a
                                                                Matinee, and 6th Sense screening in the evening.  About
                                                                ISO  patrons supported  the  two  screenings.  The weekly
                                                                screenings have continued to prove popular with "Toy Story
                                                                2" drawing the  largest audiences.
              Brendan Hawking most likely inherited his interest in films
              (and  projection)  from  his  maternal  grandfather,  Harold   As  Brendan has commenced his two year VCE course at
              Lloyd (known as Jim).  Jim Lloyd, who with his wife Lor-  the  local Rushworth P-1 2  College, studies must take pri-
              raine, ran the Lloyds Electrical Store. Jim also worked as   ori ty and so he has decided to screen two sessions weekly
              a  projectionist at the  Rushworth  Shire  Hall  and around   during school vacations and fortnightly during the school
              the circuit, headquartered at Rushworth. Regular film ex-  terms.
              hibition  ceased  in  Rushworth  in  1966 (according  to  the   "The Rushwortb Lions Club thought the project so worth-
              last exhibitor, Jim Walshe) At the incredibly young age of  while it nominated Brendan for the Campaspe Shire'sAus-
              16 Brendan Hawking has brought commercial film screen-  tral ia Day Youth of the Year award. He won. We just think
              ings back to the Rushworth Shire. Rushworth, being a small   he  is  an  outstanding young  man,  and  his  service to  the
              town of 1 000, provided few opportunities for youth enter-  community should be recognised", said Lions Club presi-
              tainment.                                        dent, Mr.  Bill Tate. (2)

              Brendan,  is  a community minded  person and Vice Presi-  The Australia  Day Award also recognised Ills services to
              dent of the Rushw01th Leo's Club (the junior Lions Club),   the community in driving the Rushworth Steam and Trac-
              and wanted something to relieve the boredom of the local   tion  engine.  He is  also a  member of the  Rushworth  Fire
              teenagers.  He raised  the issue at school and found  there   Brigade. His sporting interests include badminton, cricket,
              was interest in running  films again.  The Leo's Club sup-  fishing  and  shooting.
              ported the idea and the matter was taken to the Lions Club.
              The Lions asked Brendan to progress the idea and develop   Postscript:  Unfortunately,  due  to  the  costs  of operating
              a plan to achieve the reopening of the Shire Hall  for film   the cinema not being covered  by the  patronage,  the Leo
              screenings.                                      club took the decision to cease screenings from the 20th of
                                                               October. 2000.  Last movie was "Big Momma's House"
              With the help of local independent cinema people such as
              Steven  McDonald  (McDonald  Programming) and  Irene   Positive outcomes:  Brendan  Hawking  indicates  that  al-
              Pagram  (Paramount - Echuca) the Rushworth Shire Hall   though "it's a great disappointment to see the movies end-
              was inspected and deemed suitable.  The local Shire Hall   ing,·•  the  Leos appreciate  the  valuable contributions  the
              conunittee was approached for permission. and after some   screenings have made. These include:
              initial doubts, they gave their approval.        •     Providing entertainment for  local residents.
                                                               •     Training in business practices for the Leos.
              The next hurdle to overcome was the requirement to raise   •   Learning valuable projectionist skills.
              some $3000 to hire projection and sound equipment, pay   •   The satisfaction of bringing a dream to fruition.
              for the hall, purchase "candy bar" stocks, and to  fund  the
              bonds required  by  the  film  exchanges.  A  widely publi-  Ackuowledgemeuts:
              cised community auction of donated goods and raffles were   I.   Brendan Hawking:  Interviews Feb. &  March 2000
              held to raise funds.  The Rushworth Historical Society also   2.   The Age  Newspaper- undated article in Feb. 2000.
              donated $250.                                    3.    Photograph Courtesy of the Hawking Family



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