Page 7 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Letter to The Editor by Alan Windley

This year I celebrate ten years as a member of a theatre historical society. Before CATHS-V was formed in
Victoria there were local meetings of the Australian Theatre Historical Society, and at the time I joined ATHS,
meetings were held on a week night at Commerce House in Flinders Street and Rod Cook was the local
representative. Looking back on those days I can't help comparing the meetings at that time with those of
CATHS-V.

In 1986 meetings were held in rooms rented by a railway historical group in conditions akin to a steam running
shed -most appropriate for them, but for people with the swish of the velvet in their blood it couldn't be worse.
I understand it was free (or nearly so). No wonder only seven or eight members were regular attenders. It
looked like a big crowd when Rod Cook brought his wife Edwina and the two children. That at least assured us
of a good cup of tea. The meetings couldn't have been more boring and dull if they'd been held in a mortuary,
the business usually revolving around regulations and deadlines and the need for approval.

Eventually, after trying to find a way of working with Sydney, which seemingly couldn't be achieved, a meeting
was held in October 1989 which resulted in the creation CATHS-V. The decision was unanimously approved on
the motion of Rod Cook, seconded by Ken Tulloch. At an earlier meeting when formation of our own group was
discussed I was the only one who spoke against it. I thought that if people are not coming to this dump now,
then how are we going to get them to join a new society, and where were we going to meet? Then I decided I
would go along with the mob, but I wouldn't be dropping out of A.T.H.S. The big problem with the Victorian
Branch of A.T.H.S. was that by the time information for any inspections, social nights, or trips away, (they were
scarce) was sent to Sydney for approval, and the arrangements made, interest was just about nil.

The birth of C.A.T.H.S.-V was not something that was supposed to destroy A.T.H.S. or to operate in opposition,
it was to let us (Victorians) do our own thing. The name for our Society was first suggested by Rod Cook -
Cinema And Theatre Society, (C.A.T.S.) it was good, but we had a worry inasmuch as a dog may have set
upon us if we mentioned the name in the street aloud, I suggested that the word Historical be put between the
T and S, bingo, C.A.T.H.S.-V was born when a V was added to signify a Victorian group.

Our first meeting was on 25th February, 1990 attended by thirteen members at the Carlton Theatre; boy was
that a lift, we went from boiled lollies to chocolates and we have never looked back; the meetings are getting
bigger and more sociable and some members want more meetings even though we have a meeting on the
fourth Sunday of every second month starting in February, and we had to start earlier, members request, they
wanted more time to socialise between the meeting and the film. This is not the only event, we visit members
theatres, regardless of distance, and if we have a country theatre to visit (we usually end up visiting several
theatres) it means a stay overnight in a motel, everyone shares their car if possible, what a Society! When we
first met at the Carlton Theatre our tea break was about 10 minutes and I think we had about 6 cups, today the
break has to be longer as it takes time to make 40 or 50 cups of what ever you drink. (God bless the ladies,
may they never desert us.)

If A.T.H.S. thought that C.A.T.H.S. had any intention of competing against them they must surely realise, (after
6 years) how wrong they were. Our Secretary informs all applicants about A.T.H.S. when joining C.A.T.H.S.
Their answer is generally that they want to join CATHS-V because it's in Melbourne.

As I've said, this is a great Society, and the people in it are top class (no snobs). I would like to mention
everyone in C.A.T.H.S. but space does not permit. One thing that I will mention is that members of A.T.H.S. are
welcome to attend a C.A.T.H.S. meeting, or inspection, or social event. If they come to Melbourne they can
contact our Secretary, Fred Page, on (03) 9786-7601 .

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WANTED:

Genuine old C & W base (looks a bit like a Powers base.
Also require C & W upper and lower magazines. Purchase, or trade, of spare C & W head considered.

Contact: Peter Mac, N.Z. Studio & Cinema Heritage, 10 Gates St. Dunedin 9001, N.Z .

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