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CATHS Member receives OAM in Australia Day awards projection, division of the original cinema into two separate theatres,
brand new cinema seats and the addition of a café. The updated cinema
Les Tod, respected cinema and theatre historian, CATHS Member and complex will have two new screens with 140 and 50 seats as well as
frequent contributor to CinemaRecord, was awarded the Medal of the full disabled seating and wheelchair access. The cinema will be operated
Order of Australia (OAM) as part of this year’s Australia Day honours by Majestic.
list.
Queensland
Les has written several books on cinema history, and led conservation
campaigns to save venues such as Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. Les rates Toowoomba
the rescue of the Capitol Theatre in Haymarket in 1981 as being his The Strand is celebrating its
proudest achievement. centenary on 15 April this year. A
special celebration, followed by a
In receiving his award, Les said “It is a real honour to be recognised for preview screening of The Man Who
doing something I am truly passionate about. It is an incredible sense Knew Infinity, is planned. u
of achievement to be recognised in this manner”.
Nambour
Les is also secretary of the Parramatta branch of the National Trust of
MAJESTIC Cinemas have taken over
NSW. He is currently campaigning to save Parramatta’s Roxy Theatre operation of the two screen complex
from developers.
at Nambour Civic Centre. The venue previously operated by the local
council, will be renovated and an additional three screens installed.
They intend to provide a wide range of product, from Hollywood
blockbusters to Australian Art House films.
South Australia
Adelaide
The establishment of four state-of-the-art gold-class theatres in level
one of Regent Arcade is one of two projects requiring $1.75 million in
ratepayer funds. The project will include redevelopment of the
lane+way, as well as the entry pergola, lift, new stairs and landing.

Adelaide
The Adelaide Festival Centre Trust has purchased the property on the
western side of Her Majesty’s Theatre for $2,068,000. They plan to
Les Tod, with two of the books he has written. Image: Blacktown Advocate increase the capacity of the theatre to make it more commercially viable.
National
Adelaide
Amalgamated Holdings change name. The original Palace Cinemas site on Rundle St. North has been sold
At the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 17 December 2015, the for $5.5 million subject to existing leases. Six of Palace’s 10 Adelaide
resolution to change the name from Amalgamated Holdings Limited to screens are located at this site.
Event Hospitality & Entertainment Limited was passed by
shareholders. Event is the parent company of Hoyts, BCC and Event
Cinemas. Victoria
Edithvale
An investor has purchased the former Unity Theatre in Nepean
New South Wales Highway for $2.1 million. The site was owned by the charity St Vincent
Sydney
De Paul and operated as an op shop for many years.
Sydney Entertainment Centre closed on 19 December 2015. The
final show was performed by Elton John. The building will be Melbourne
demolished to make way for an extensive residential and retail
Kino 5 is to become Kino 7. One of the original two auditoria is to
development.
be divided into two, plus another “broom cupboard” is to be converted.
Mosman Docklands
Five years after the movies stopped, it’s now confirmed the former GU Hoyts has struck a deal to build a new cinema complex as part of a
- Mosman Cinemas’ site at Spit Junction will be demolished. It will proposed multi-million dollar entertainment precinct at Docklands.
not become an apartment complex, instead, the State Government will The complex will feature new, larger seating - it is also rumoured that
buy the site for an off-street bus stop for the B-Line bus transit service.
the entire circuit will be upgraded to that style of seating.
Sawtell St Kilda
The Sawtell Cinema u The current management of the Palais Theatre has been advised that
reopened in December, the council has shortlisted two other entertainment companies to take
three years after it was over the running of the 89-year-old venue.
closed. A team of local
investors, film and heritage
enthusiasts have brought Reporting:
the old theatre back to life. Colin Flint, Ian Mills, Roderick Smith, Ian Williams, Steve Maggs.
Upgrades included digital

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