Page 17 - CR

A Symphony of

Indirect Lighting

The following obituary appeared
The following obituary appeared
in in the local newspaper,, The
newspaper
the
local
The
Essendon Gazette:Gazette:
Essendon
The death of Mr Henry John Wilmott he death of Mr Henry John Wilmott
T
Gyles J.P. at the age of 78 years one
Gyles J.P. at the age of 78 years one
of the Districts best known and most
of the Districts best known and most
esteemed citizens was announced on the
esteemed citizens was announced on the
2 of February, 1959. Mr Gyles was a of February, 1959. Mr Gyles was a
2 nd
ndd
r
resident of Moonee Ponds for 48 years esident of Moonee Ponds for 48 years
and the Dir
and the Director of the Moonee Ponds ector of the Moonee Ponds
T
Theatre for 25 years. heatre for 25 years.
H
He served as a Councillor for 12 years e served as a Councillor for 12 years
and was elected Mayor of Essendon in
and was elected Mayor of Essendon in
1
1942-43. He was a Foundation Member 942-43. He was a Foundation Member
and past President of the Essendon esident of the Essendon
Harry Gyles had long been involved in and past Pr
Harry Gyles had long been involved in
Rotary Club, a member of the Ascot otary Club, a member of the Ascot
local government and in addition to his ocal government and in addition to his R
l
V
m
many civic duties, he was President of any civic duties, he was President of Vale Bowling Club and the Northern ale Bowling Club and the Northern
Golf Club and a Life Member of every
t the Independent Theatres Association he Independent Theatres Association Golf Club and a Life Member of every
M
and a member of the Governing Board
and a member of the Governing Board Melbourne Hospital and the Mount elbourne Hospital and the Mount
R
o
1938 of the Green Room Club.f the Green Room Club. Royal Homes. He was a singer of note oyal Homes. He was a singer of note
and took part in theatrical pr
and took part in theatrical productions. oductions.

H
With the outbreak of W.W.2 two ith the outbreak of W.W.2 two
W He was also a past President of the e was also a past President of the
Pictur
o
of Harry and Eva’s sons joined the f Harry and Eva’s sons joined the Picture Industry association.e Industry association.
Airforce. At the end of April, 1943, irforce. At the end of April, 1943,
A
As with all the suburban theatres, the
d As with all the suburban theatres, the
dreaded news was received at the readed news was received at the
introduction of television saw cinema
family home,
family home, Jesmondene, Milfay Jesmondene, Milfay introduction of television saw cinema
audiences decline sharply.
A
Ave, Moonee Ponds, that as a result of ve, Moonee Ponds, that as a result of audiences decline sharply.
operations over Europe, their third son, perations over Europe, their third son,
o
Nathaniel (25 years old) was missing,
Nathaniel (25 years old) was missing,
presumed dead.
presumed dead. A loss suffered by so A loss suffered by so
many families during the war years.any families during the war years.
m
I
In September 1954 the Moonee Theatre n September 1954 the Moonee Theatre
w
was redecorated and refurnished as redecorated and refurnished
with the proscenium modified for the fied for the
with the proscenium modi
installation of CinemaScope. Sadly
installation of CinemaScope. Sadly
the auditorium light fittings previously
the auditorium light fittings previously
mentioned, were removed and with
mentioned, were removed and with
them the colourful light show, to be
them the colourful light show, to be
Mayor Harry Gyles
Mayor Harry Gyles
replaced by stock plaster chandeliers.
replaced by stock plaster chandeliers.
1960s
CINEMAREC ORD 2011 17