Page 8 - CinemaRecord Cover Section # 45

Some of the current committee: President Gerry Kennedy flanked by Vice-President
Peter Wolfenden (left) and Secretary Mike Trickett.
CATHS meeting, Morning Tea, Guest speaker Membership Secretary. Peter has the
or presentation and a serial. So too have
best sign-off line in the business. When
The First Fifteen Years other favourites: Theatre/cinema a new member’s badge arrives in the
inspections, film/theatre nights and
mail, the accompanying letter
Swap Meets. concludes ‘Wear it with Pride.’
By Fred Page
The first weekend away was to Significant Events
A large decorated cake proclaimed Albury and north-east Victoria in 1993. 1990 First meeting supports
CATH’S first five eventful years. Ten These pilgrimages have grown into participation in National Trust Heritage
years on, a larger cake is needed. week- long events. In 2000 CATHS Week at the State Film Centre with a
became Australia’s only truly
What and Why? international theatre heritage group display of memorabilia. A similar
The objectives of CATHS were when a tour of New Zealand venues display is mounted at the Carlton
spelled out at its establishment: was held in conjunction with the NZ Movie House.
• Foster interest in theatre and cinema Film Buffs. 1991 CATHS co-operates with the
history National Trust to run an Open Day at
Membership the derelict Regent Collins Street.
• Preserve theatre and cinema buildings
The initial membership of 26 was CATHS joins with other lobby groups
and artifacts
drawn from ATHS members and of that for preservation of the Regent.
• Promote interest in theatre
26, thirteen attended the October 1989 1993 CATHS shows it has The
architecture
meeting when the decision to form Right Stuff. With only $600 in the
• Participate in the activities of CATHS was taken. Current bank, CATHS committed $3000 to host
community groups participating in membership is approximately 250 and its own Open Day at the Regent.
related historical pursuits includes interstate members and Everybody put their hearts and souls
• Foster social activities by the organizations and some from UK, (especially Ian Maguire who worked
members and their families USA, Europe and NZ. for days on electrical circuits) into
• Assist in the collection and Long-serving members maintain making this event the most successful
preservation of film and movie early traditions or continue in new of all the Regent Open Days. The
equipment. roles. Ken Tulloch still runs annual public turned up in thousands and
When and Why? movie nights at his Roxy theatrette. $11,000 was taken at the Box office.
Ron Cook continues to provide the
The Sydney-based Australian 1994 First issue of CinemaRecord.
serial, Fred Page organizes the Central
Theatre Historical Society (now the CATHS establishes photo archive.
Victoria chapter and runs an annual
Australian Cinema and Theatre Society Supports Open Day at the Capitol
film festival. Rod How provided great
- ACTS), with their magazine Kino, (70th birthday) and Capitol Action.
help with the Centenary of Cinema
began the documentation of specific 1995 Performing Arts Museum
event. Graham Smythe has provided
cinema and theatre histories. hosts Jaffas Down the Aisle. CATHS
many super 8 programs and made video
Our Society was established in provides exhibits.
records of events. Alan Windley
October 1989, because it was clear that Celebrate International Centenary of
provided historical films and
the numbers of people enthused about Film at the Dutch Club in Carnegie, a
unbounded knowledge. Brian Miller
the rich theatre history of Victoria, former silent cinema.
makes Events Coordination look
could support a local organization. 1996 Celebrate The Australian
effortless, but we know the truth.
CATHS-V (called by its current name Centenary Of Cinema at the Progress
CATHS, from here forward) held its Past President Garry Saunders is Theatre, West Coburg.
first regular meeting at the Carlton now the long-time merchandise sales Regent re-opens with Sunset
Movie House in February 1990. officer (Garry has raised thousands). Boulevard. CATHS holds a theatre
Peter O’Reilly, Creator and first editor
The early meeting structure night soon after.
of CinemaRecord (with an astonishing
continues to this day: Business
30 issues to his credit), is now
8 2004 CINEMARECORD