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Saved from a period of disuse and
proposed demolition, it is now a busy,
successful live theatre, privately owned
and managed.
The next destination on our
cinematic trek was back at Boronia for
a look inside the well-maintained
Progress Hall.
Built in 1926, it was used as a
cinema for many years, and still
retains its tiny projection room, which
we were able to inspect – with the help
of a hand ladder.

Reading 8 Cinemas, Chirnside Park

After a cup of tea/coffee, a History On Sunday it was an early start
Forum on Cinemas at Warburton was back along the Warburton Highway to
held featuring cinema staff and local inspect the new Readings Cinema
people including Ellena Biggs (noted Complex at suburban Chirnside Park. Former Loyalty Theatre, Ferntree Gully
local historian) and Cindy Smith Opened on June 7, 2001, this 8-screen
(current Manager, who has researched multiplex was rated as one of the Finally, it was a short drive to
the history of the theatre). First Ellena highlights of the trip and showed what Upper Ferntree Gully, where we had
led a walk around the outside of the could be done to restore some sense of an extensive visit to the 1812 Theatre.
old Mecca but due to its condemned presentation and theatrical experience. Built as a cinema in 1939, it
status, only a couple of members were Cinema One is a two-level auditorium opened as the Loyalty Theatre and
authorized to enter the building and incorporating a luxury Regency was a very popular venue in its day,
take photographs for the archives. The Lounge and an art-deco feeling is which finally closed as the Festival
elaborate pressed-metal proscenium created with the clever use of Cinema in the early 1970’s.
was still in place, as was the old bio- curtaining and light fittings. With the help of the local Council,
box from its cinema days. Next on the journey was the a local live theatre group, The 1812
Athenaeum Theatre at Lilydale. Company, were able to buy and
Formerly a Mechanics Hall dating restore the derelict cinema as its new
from 1888, it was the area’s local home.
picture show for many years, ending A tour of the theatre was followed
its cinema days as The Civic. by afternoon tea, which ended a most
Improvements during these years had successful and enjoyable tour.
included: patterned acoustic tiles,
fancy plaster swirls, and an attractive Compiled from notes by Brian Mier and
ceiling of Walter Burley Griffin Gerry Kennedy. Photographs and
Old and new at Warburton
design, all of which survive today. additional information by Kevin Adams.
Following the Forum, a 16mm
program was screened which featured
the 1957 British comedy ”The
Smallest Show on Earth”. After a
break we enjoyed a sumptuous
“dinner with a movie theme”at
Warburton’s Wild Thyme Café.

Mecca at Warburton Athenaeum Theatre, Lilydale

CINEMARECORD 2002 27