Page 25 - CR31R.pdf

Betty Larkins... “Burger Queen”

By Gail Norman

Opening night – Christmas Eve, Betty established herself as the
24th December, l964, was the start of best “grill cook” and fastest “choc
a long association with Drive-In topper”, unflappable under pressure,
Theatres for one, Betty Larkins. Betty recalls opening night at and it is estimated that over the years
Betty commenced working as a Northland, where Mrs. Erban and she has cooked some 250,000
casual employee at the very busy herself were the only workers, and hamburgers and numerous steak
Northland (Olympic) Twin Drive-In were provided with a book of raffle sandwiches, which are legendary, with
on the above date, and her love affair tickets to write hot food orders down – quite a few regular patrons requesting
with the Drive-Ins continued until lst much to their dismay as they were far a “Betty Special”.
December, 200l, when she decided it too small. She also tells us about the In between being very supportive
was time to retire, after some thirty- time that she was at a wedding and of her family, and her working life,
seven years of casual work. received a phone call to “please come Betty managed to indulge in her
in and help at Interval” as they were
Betty’s husband Bill, was a passion for knitting dolls, reading
short staffed, leaving the reception to
bricklayer, who actually worked on biographies, and attending folk art
go to work. How’s that for dedication!
the construction of the buildings at the classes. She swims regularly each
Northland site located on Murray Holding some eighteen hundred week, and has tried line dancing and
Road, East Preston. Bill and Betty had cars, it was always very hectic at golf to keep fit.
three children, Rodney, and twins Gail Northland, with queue’s lining up and In her thirty-seven years of
and Julie, who now have families of down Murray Road to access the working at the Drive-In, Betty has seen
their own, providing Betty with four theatre, and Betty along with other staff many changes, both in Management
grandchildren, Belinda, Scott, Angela members would have to drive up over and Staff, all of whom she welcomed
and Jonathan, with whom she has a the footpath to get to work. Celebrity with a smile, a warm word of
fantastic rapport. identities would be asked to host events encouragement, and a helping hand,
– bands, dances, talent quests, etc. for
At the time Betty commenced but unfortunately she decided that the
the patrons’ entertainment, and this
work at Northland, the cafeteria was time had come to retire. For the last
would add to the chaos, but Betty took
leased by two gentlemen, Snow and couple of summers, after a busy night
it all in her stride.
Erban, and consisted of two separate Betty would be heard to say – “That’s
areas, a milk bar, where malted When Northland Drive-In closed it – where’s my bag. I’m going and I
milks, etc. were served, and a hot on the 14th February, l987, in the won’t be back – it’s too hot”, but she
food area, and it was not until about name of progress, Betty along with the would keep bouncing back. Betty
ten years later when the lease expired majority of staff members, transferred retired a much respected member of
that it was revamped to self service to the reopened Coburg Drive-In, Coburg Drive-In staff, with a lot of
when Village Theatres took over the which at the time also had two good memories of the people she had
cafeteria. screens, but a much smaller capacity contact with over the past years, but
for cars. As business increased at alas for us, has “put her bag” under her
Coburg, the need for a third screen arm for the last time. ★
was paramount, and this third screen
opened on 7th December, l995,
making Coburg the only Drive-In in
Australia to boast three screens.
The smaller cooking area, the choc
topping area, and kitchen facilities
were a challenge after the spacious
Northland, but Betty coped,
encouraging the staff with her “never
say die” attitude.
Above centre: Betty Larkins.
Photo by: Gail Norman.
Coburg staff prepare for “Dick Tracy”. Above L&R: Northland Drive-In. Coburg Drive-In Cafeteria.
Photo by: Gail Norman. Photo by: Kevin Adams. Photo by: Kevin Adams.
CINEMARECORD 2002 25