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the catwalk on each side of the flytower had to be cut to allow ed off and brought back to life. The theatre is equipped with
the wider screen to be raised into the tower (when the stage two Simplex Super Standard 35mm projectors fitted with I&B
was required for other purposes). carbon arc lamphouses, and also has 16mm projection facili-
Operators included Mrs L Kennedy up to 1956 followed ties. A Newton slide projector, converted to electric light, is
by Mr and Mrs Don Ingram. After Don Ingram’s death, the also in working order. A rewind room is located to the left of
business was conducted by his widow Nancy (c1962). She the projection room and a spotlight port is located on the first
later married Robert Culshaw and became the exhibitor as Mrs landing of the staircase leading to the projection room.
N E Culshaw (c1969). Nick Spoljaric was the exhibitor from On 27 June 1999 the restoration volunteers were treated to
1971 and also became the building’s owner. The theatre was a private screening of Hercules Returns. The screening also
closed in 1984 because of declining attendances due to televi- provided the newly trained operators with an opportunity to
sion, the advent of videos and entertainment (including films) use the old projectors. The auditorium has been partially car-
provided at the RSL Club. The theatre was later used for a peted and temporary seating installed.
variety of purposes including a hall for youth groups, as a After an official opening by Bombala’s two citizens of the
gymnasium and later as a knitting mill and auction centre. year, Maureen Peisley and Grace Epplestun, the first public
The National Trust added the facade of the building to the screening was held on 3 July 1999 when the current release
heritage listing for NSW and it has been placed at number 61 film Matrix played to a capacity crowd.
in the top 100 listing. The Olympia is managed by the Bombala Olympia
The rebirth of the Olympia had its origins in the local Theatre Committee chaired by Mark Ingram. The committee
Fairground Organ Festival (1997) when three local identities intends to screen initially on a monthly basis with any profits
Allen Walker, Maureen Peisley and Mark Ingram visited the being ploughed back into further theatre restoration. The com-
old Olympia to see what use the building could be put to for mittee has begun training the youth of the town in all aspects
the Festival. In early 1999 the Four Wheel Drive and Bush of managing the building and film exhibition. A highlight of
Walking Club, at Mark Ingram’s suggestion, decided to do up the opening night was the recommissioning of the exterior
the Olympia. Nick Spoljaric agreed and assisted the project by “Olympia” sign, which is made from large fabricated letters
providing paint and curtain fabrics for the stage and windows. fitted with light globes.
The first working bee was held on the weekend of 27 Bombala, like other small country communities, has
March with people coming long distances to assist. As the proved that community groups can bring film screenings
weeks progressed the restoration of the Olympia became a back to their towns to give the youth entertainment and to
community project with equipment, furniture and many hours help develop an appreciation for films on the big screen. The
of labour being donated by businesses, local tradesmen and major film distributor, Village Roadshow, has advised and
organisations, along with members of the community. Even a helped the committee of management in bringing films
local school donated some of the heating system. back to Bombala. Village is to be commended for its com-
The Olympia had its grand re-opening on 7 May 1999 with munity minded assistance. ★
the staging of a comedy drama Wedding Games by a
Wollongong based company, Theatre South. The actors played
to a packed house the likes of which Bombala had not seen in References:
years. Olympia Theatre – Bombala, Les Tod 1998.
The Olympia’s cinema component was also overhauled. Bombala Times 18 May 1917.
The old CinemaScope screen was resprayed, new top and bot- Film Weekly Motion Picture Directories, 1937-69.
tom screen valances were installed and the old side tabs were Bombala Times date unknown in 1995.
refurbished. The rope pulley was reinstated to operate the
stage curtains from the projection booth. The old projection Photographs:
room equipment, which had sat unused for 25 years was dust- Courtesy Gerry Kennedy Collection.

CINEMARECORD Autumn 2001 25