Page 10 - CR_01_Printer

The theatre was later sold to the Mc.Millan family's company, Lyric Photoplay (Shepparton) Pty Ltd. After
regular screenings ceased the building was used as the Copper Kettle Reception centre. Films were again
screened by the Youth Club from 1983.
Equipment: The current bio box equipment includes two C & W I Raycophone CP 7 projectors with
Raycophone arcs ex Yarrawonga Town Hall. Sound is only mono with an Altec A4 speaker system back~
stage. A pair of Century projectors owned by the theatre may be installed in the future.

NUMURKAH - Town Hall
This attractive town hall was opened in 1938 and was of solid red brick construction. The hall was build with
a circle and the seating capacity is 500. An unusual feature of the bio box is that ports can be seen facing
out the back of the building which would suggest that a picture garden was situated at the rear of the hall.
The hall still has projection equipment installed and a local youth club occasionally screens films.

NUMURKAH - Melba Theatre
Most unique, the Melba Theatre was built in the early 1950's by A.J. Anderson Industries Pty. Ltd. whose
motto was "From Foundations To Full House In 6 Weeks" and is situated in Meikeljohn St. This building was
not much more than an elaborate large hay shed, and had a dirt floor and sliding sections in the side walls.
The bio box with crying room beneath, vents and backstage extension are still visible. The building seated
1000 people on one level. It was part of the chain operated by J. Scott of Cobram which included hard tops
and drive ins at Yarrawonga, Cobram, Tocumwal, Wodonga. Movies were screened from 1958 to 1961 . The
building is currently used as a engineering works.

COBRAM - Melba Theatre:
Another of Jack Scotts chain of theatres. The Melba opened on the 1st of December, 1948, and was the first
theatre outside Melbourne to have both air conditioning, central heating and fluorescent strip lighting.
Seatingwas 450, on two levels
Equipment: Two Bauer projectors were installed. These arrived in Australia from Germany by ship, and
were delivered to the cinema on the back of a Mercedes truck which was imported on the same ship and
was being delivered to an Albury customer.

COBRAM - Kenric/Moonlight Drive-In
Possibly the last to open in Australia and the one with the shortest career. Opened in 1983 and closed in
1985. Capacity of 1050 patrons, it is still sitting on the cotner of the Murray Valley Highway and Purgatory
Road
Equipment: Two Simplex 35's on Simplex 5 Star soundhead, mounted on Eprad Universal consoles. Film
transport was an Eprad MUT. Sound was some type of radio sound (details unknown). These projectors are
currently being used in the Sale Twin Cinemas.

TOCUMWALL (N.S.W.) - Pavilion Theatre
This very old building is located in Deniliquin Rd. (opposite the Big Murray Cod) and is currently used as a
second hand shop. This building began its life as a hall for general purpose use. The auditorium is entered
via a most attractively tiled hallway. This area is brightly lit by means of a large sky light. An interesting
pressed metal cornice is also a feature of the hallway. Refreshment rooms were to the right of the hallway
and the managers residence and ticket box were on the left. The auditorium contained a gallery which was
accessed by stairs on the back wall. A fibrous plaster ceiling was fitted to the trusses over the gallery only;
the exposed tin roof covered the rest of the auditorium. The former stage area has been removed. The bio
box was built largely in the roof space at the back of the gallery. The emergency escape hatch can be seen
in the entrance hall skylight area. Films were later screened in a hall now occupied by a large supermarket.
YARRAWONGA - The Grove Picture Gardens:
These picture gardens were situated in Belmore St. and some of the original trees are to be found in the
existing public park. Seating was 872. Films were screened from 1938 unti11964.

YARRAWONGA - Town Hall
This magnificant building dominates the town's skyline. The hall is equipped with a gallery accessed from
the small second floor foyer. The stage area is huge and includes a large flytower and an attractive elliptical
proscenium arch finished with red drop curtain. The ceiling is gently curved and along with the front of the
gallery is decorated with geometric plaster designs. The bio box is situated at the rear of the gallery. Films
are occasionally screened in the hall. Current release movies are also screened in the various clubs in
Mulwala. Seating 800 (approx).
Equipment: Two early model Bauer projectors believed to be ex. Melba Numurkah are installed.

10