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Country News by Brian Miller

An extended "country weekend drive" in 1999 provided some interesting cinema details.

Maryborough Paramount Theatre: A veteran 1920's building, was used as a high school indoor sports arena after
television commenced.ll was re-opened around 1995, using the original dress circle and a screen at the balcony edge. The
stalls were being convened into three more screens with access via a conidor on the left side of the building, and a
projection room immediately above.

The new screens are on the opposite side wall area, with projection beams at right angles to the original design. Interest-
ingly, the first projection room in the old back staJJs area, and no longer used, remained intact.

Maryborough Town Hall: This dates from 1887, and with the Post Office and Court House forms pan of a grand
Victorian square. The Town Hall has a compact Victorian-style auditorium, windows for natural light, and a good sized
stage apron in front of red CUI1ai ns. The fu II U -shaped cast-iron fi I agree baleen y is reminiscent of the demolished Temperance
Hall/Savoy Theatre building in Russell Street. Melbourne.

A newer entrance foyer in 1940's style bas been added to the side of the building, giving separate access from the Municipal
offices. Although once used for films, there was no visible sign of a projection room area.

Donald Soldiers Memorial Hall: Extensive exterior restoration work was being carried our on this hall, erected in 1936.

Birchip Community Hall: This hall consists of the original hall with a modern entrance added. The property appeared
well maintained, with roof restoration underway.

Birchip Drive-In: The North-West drive-in screen was still standing in a side street.

Warracknabeal Town Hall: This is now sixty years old. It was opened as an O'Halloran Theatres Regent in 1939 with
M.G.M.'s "Sweethearts". No tilms were listed but the screen remains intact.

Swan Hill: This attractive city contains
an imposing pre-war art-deco Town Hall.

Also the former O'Halloran Regent is now
the Oasis Twin Cinemas. This building
dates from the late fifties and the cinemas
were re-opened in the dress circle area ·'>, TWIN CINEMA :
. .
in 1996. .
Deniliquin: Another O'HaJloran-built Regent from the same era functions at Deniliquin, N.S.W. The stalls area is occupied
by a large video rental store. and this is closed off when films are shown, using the circle seating only. Matinee and night
pe1formances ranged from two to five a week, according to demand.

Echuca Paramount Centre: Opened in I 979, on the site of the original Paramount Theatre. This mu Iti-purpose bui I ding
is owned and sponsored by the Shire of Campaspie. including film screenings.

A variable function area downstairs is available for hire and there are twin auditoriums upstairs. Number One has fixed
stadium seating and a large performing space for live shows. Number Two is a flexible area with portable seating. An
unusual feature is that the two screens are back-to-back. with large sand filled doors, eighteen inches thick, positioned to
close off each house.

At the time of the visit there was talk of a newer Paramount Centre for the future.

Echuca - Sharps: Sharps Magic Movie House and Penny Arcade screens old newsreels and silent comedies in the old
Customs House. Admission includes some coins to work the machines. "Movies run from 9 to 5 each day, and include
some dating from 1896, including George Wallace, Jack O'Hagen and F.W. Thring Snr."

Rochester: The Shire Hall is a classic Gothic style building reminiscent of a church hail. Dating from J 892, on one level
only, there was no apparent evidence of having been used for films.

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