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VICTORIA: DAYLESFORD: Its original auditorium SHEPPARTON: August the 1st was the
last 35mm film presentation at the Village
rejuvenated as a shopping arcade, the former
Rex Theatre is now having a small 100-seat 4 Cinemas with the screening of the feature
PORTLAND: The shuttered Star Cinema cinema and performance space built within its movie Ted. Installation of two more digital
remains for sale at $550,000 and available for walls. To be community run, it is hoped to have projectors completed the total change over to
possible redevelopment. The large building the new venue operational by Christmas. digital presentation. Cinemas 1 and cinema 2
includes a 240-seat auditorium in the former have Barco projectors, and cinemas 3 and 4
dress-circle with the stalls area converted Christie. 3D screenings can be presented in
into three areas of retail use.
cinemas 2 and 4.
MELBOURNE: The Palace Theatre in CHADSTONE: Along with many shops,
Bourke Street was sold in August to a Chinese the Hoyts Cinemas were forced to close
buyer for around $13million. Reports are due to flooding in early August. Extensive
that the theatre will continue as a nightclub/ damage was caused by ruptured water
concert venue for the moment although the pipes leaving only a few screens in use.
last confirmed artist is in November. Cinemas 5-14 re-opened on August 17th.
All cinemas are now digital.
ST.KILDA EAST: In August St.Michaels
College sold the Astor Theatre to local enthusiast MELBOURNE: A MIFF patron has MELBOURNE: Some heritage protection
Ralph Taranto who will continue the lease of launched a discrimination case against or recognition is being sought for the former
the building to long-time operator, George the Melbourne International Film Festival Star Theatre in Elizabeth Street. Originally a
Florence. Mr Taranto also owns the closed and owners of the Forum and Greater newsreel theatre, after all these years it is still
George Cinemas at St.Kilda as well as leasing Union Russell Cinemas regarding screening films, albeit of the adult variety as
the Brighton Bay Twin to Palace. In the past he “limited and demeaning” disabled access the Crazy Horse Cinema. The future of the
had also attempted relaunching the Melbourne to venues. site as a cinema may be in doubt when the
Capitol and the National in Richmond. current 5-year lease runs out.
COBURG: The three-screen Village Drive-
ESSENDON NORTH: Demolition of the In Theatre has now switched to digital
former Hoyts Circle Theatre has been underway projection. This was the final conversion
throughout August. Only the façade of the of the company’s 210 screens to the
building will be retained in the new apartment digital format.
complex to be built on the site.
ARMADALE: Sotheby’s Auction House,
located in the former Armadale Theatre
was auctioned on August 16.
ST.KILDA: The closed three-screen
George Cinemas failed to sell at auction
in August. The property owner re-opened
the venue himself as the Aurora Cinemas,
but closed them again within weeks. The BENDIGO: A 1000-seat theatre is to be
complex is for sale at $2.75 million and may included in a new $25 million Arts Centre to be
be redeveloped. built within the walls of the former prison.

LILYDALE: A new museum wing for the
Yarra Ranges Shire has been opened as part of
the historic Athenaeum Theatre building.

CHARLTON: The Rex Theatre hopes
to develop an on-site museum to display
the amazing lifetime collection of film and
cinema memorabilia that was purchased
from the estate of the late Keith McDonald, a
former St.Arnaud projectionist.

6 2012 CINEM AREC ORD