Page 21 - CinemaRecord #21R.pdf

On May 1, 1950, after a period of fund raising and the arrangement of an appropriate financial package, O'Halloran
sold the theatre to the Trustees for the Nhill Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee (5). In 1951 the Committee
purchased land at the rear of the theatre to enable extension to the building.

By 1952 the building was generally referred to has the Nhill Memorial Theatre (1 ). A committee of management
ran the theatre. In 1955 plans were drawn to improve the facade, alter the foyer, install toilets off the foyer, and
to construct dressing rooms, toilets and a kitchen at the stage end. A new clubroom was planned for the R.S.L.
at the rear of the theatre. All of these proposals were deferred because of lack of funds.

After the expenditure of 2,000 pounds ($4,000) on equipment Cinemascope was introduced to the Memorial on
2 November, 1956 with the screening of "A Man Called Peter"(1 ). Included in the upgrading of the projection
equipment was the alteration of the carbon arch lamps from 15 to 55 amps (it was an 80' throw from the
projector to the screen). The theatre was also equipped with emergency power generating equipment. The
proscenium was altered to provide for the wider screen.

Projection Room 1997 with Frank Davis (former projectionist)

In 1961/62 the Committee again considered some of the earlier proposal and the need to make the building a
more fitting memorial. In 1962 the west side shop was converted into a Memorial Lobby. A new plate glass
frontage was installed as well as direct access to the theatre entrance. The memorial honour boards were then
relocated from the auditorium to the Memorial Lobby so that they could be viewed from both inside and outside
the building. A portrait of the Queen and the Union Jack and Australian flags completed the theme.(1) The east
side shop was reduced in width to provide additional space for a bigger ticket office(4).

By 1963 the impact of television {beamed from Ballarat) was noted (4), and by 1965 the screening frequency
was reduced from Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, to Saturdays only (5).

A new two storey ablution block was constructed on the western and southern side of the stage in 1967/68, and
a new kitchen was built at the back of the stage around 1971. The stage area was now large enough to be used
as a "supper room" at larger functions

In 1977 because of the growing need to renovate the theatre, architects were engaged to present a variety of
options to Community, which included abandoning the Memorial Theatre and the construction of a new facility
elsewhere (perhaps at the High School). In July 1978 it was agreed to undertake major alteration and refurbish-
ment of the theatre. Application for a grant was made to the Ministry of the Arts.