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86. The Film Theatres Of Gilgandra by Gerry Kennedy

l. Coronation Hall
2. First Australian Hall
3. The Crystal Palace Hall, & Open Air
4. Second Australian Hall & Ausu·alian Pictures (Open Ajr)
5. Western Monarch Theatre & Open Air

Gilgandra is a town situated in western New South Wales at the junction of the Newell, Oxley and Castlereagh Highways
some 64 kms. north of Dubbo and 4 76 krns north west of Sydney. Gilgandra has had a rich cinema history for a small town
and district with a population of 5000 of which Gilgandra township has 3000. This can be attributed to its importance, over
the years. as a service centre for the diversified farming community and the surrounding small towns and villages.

From research documents provided by the Gilgandra Museum & Historical Society Inc. several venues have been listed
showing films.

The first screening of films took place c.l908 in Coronation Hall (I) in Miller St., corner of Wrigley St. This humble,
wooden framed hall, covered with pressed metal Wunderlich sheeting was bujlt in 1893 and destroyed be fire in 1918 (it is
now the site ofBeaurepaire's Tyre Service). It is likely that a travelling showman screened these films. An open-air theatre
was built alongside the Coronation Hall, which provided the management with the option of screening in the hall, or in the
open ajr according to the climate of the evening. Portable equipment was likely to have been used.

As time progressed permanent exhibitors eased out the travelling showmen. In 1912 a local entrepreneur. Mr H Gibson,
built a large picture and dance hall at the western end of Bridge St. called the Australian Hall. A platfonn was built near
the screen to accommodate the piano used to accompany the silent films. Films continued to be screen at the Australian
Hall until 1917 (I). The building was later destroyed by fire (date unknown).

In the "Gilgandra Weekly" of 12 January 1916 Gibson's Pictures adve11ised programs at the Australian Hall Saturdays and
Tuesdays. Mention was also made that pictures would be screened" ... in the Open Air at the Crystal, on Saturday January
20th". The Crystal reference referred to The Crystal Palace Hall, which was a venue in Miller St.. used for a variety of
purposes including a skating rink. The open air was built behind The Crystal Palace. The projectors in the hall could be
turned around to service the open air. Raycophone talkie equipment was installed in rhis venue in 1931 according to
"Everyone's .. magazine ( I)

Gibson subsequently sold his interests in the Australian Hall and The Crystal Palace to Messrs Zaccour and Smith (the
former lessee and manager). This partnership promoted their operations under the name of The Gilgandra Picture Company
in the Gilgandra Weekly from 3 June 1917. From 1924 Herb Foran was listed as the exhibitOr and from 1926 F Brook was
in control until its closure and sale in February 1933. ( I )

Competition increased in the town when in 1923 the new Australian Hall commenced screening. This large. substantial
hall was built in Warren Rd. (opposite the Council Chambers) by a local resident, Herbe11 Foran This venue proved to be
the main enrertrunment venue in Gilgandra catering for films, concerts. ball. plays etc. On the left-hand side of the hall an
open-rur theatre was constructed and this was known at the Australian Pictures.

Once again whether the films were screened in the hall or the open air depended on the vagaries of the weather. Portable
projection equipment was probable used in this ·'twin operation". The venue was larer sold to F Brook, the last of the early
cinematic.entrepreneurs in the Gilgandra district. The hall was sold again and was eventually demolished in 1981 to make
way for a new "Assemblies of God Church'' (1)
With bOlh the cinema operations of Gilgandra under F Brook's control he decided to build a large new venue in which to
consolidate his business. This new eye catching building was to be The Western Monarch mdoor and open-air theatres.
They were situated on the Ea!.t Side ofThe Crystal Palace in Miller St. and were opened on 13 December. 1934 (2)
The Western Monarch ( I) building included many unusual features. It was of reverse (back to front) design with the
screen at the street end of the auditorium. Very few theatres were built in this manner. Other examples include the
Croydon Park Theatre in suburban Sydney, the Civic Theatre in Gladstone, Queensland, and the former Maya Theatre in
the country Victorian town of Morwell. No doubt the main reason F Brook used this design was to incorporate on open-air
theatre at the back utilising a common projection room and rotating projectors. The open-air theatres were often grandiosely
named Picture Gardens.

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