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Caths onTour

GIPPSLAND WEEKEND

On the weekend of April 20 & 21,
2002, over 50 CATHS members and
guests participated in a hectic but
enjoyable tour of the theatres of
Victoria’s Gippsland region. The tour
commenced early on the Saturday
morning at the new Village10
Cinemas site in the Fountain Gate
Shopping Centre, at Narre Warren
(an outer eastern suburb that once
would have been claimed as part of
Gippsland). This new complex
opened on 2 November, 2001. It
contains 10 screens with auditoriums
seating from 131 to 438. It is accessed
from level one in the shopping centre
and features a split-level spacious
foyer and cinemas of general Interior Wonthaggi Cinema
proportion and style. The cinemas are
equipped with Cinemeccanica Victoria in shades of deep pink and rich reds a Cinemeccanica Victoria 5 projector.
5 projectors, Cinemeccanica CNR-3 (including the stage curtains) and also All cinemas use Christie Autowind-3
35mm platter systems, Dolby CP650 features an orchestra pit and some platters. The sound racks include
sound processors (all featuring Dolby modest theatre elements (back stage). Panastereo CSP 1200 sound
digital sound), Krix speakers and The cinema is equipped with a processors and Yamaha KX 393
Pennywise CA100 automation. Ballantyne Pro 35 projector, a Speco Cassette decks. Cinema 1 includes
3-plate platter and Dolby Stereo CP50 Dolby sound facility.
sound system.
The tour then journeyed 38 kms
northeast to Leongatha where the
party inspected the Stadium 4 Cinema
complex, which opened in late 2000.
The four cinemas, a connected café
and the neighbouring
reception/convention centre were
converted from a Council owned
basketball stadium and Senior Citizens
Village 10, Fountain Gate
clubrooms. The complex has won both Former “Village Theatre”, Toora
From Narre Warren the party design and construction awards. The
travelled 99 kms to Wonthaggi in cinema foyer contains a magnificent From Leongatha the tour moved
South Gippsland where CATHS metal sculpture, affixed to the rear 51 kms east to the small township of
member, Keith Stevens, was keen to wall. The cinemas seat from 79 – 164, Toora to inspect the Community Hall.
show us the features of his Wonthaggi with 1-3 equipped with Christie This hall was opened in 1961 and is
Cinema located in the modern Union SLC30-234 projectors whilst No 4 has possibly the last purpose built
Community Arts Centre. This single cinema/hall in Gippsland. It screened
screen venue with 420 seats is once or twice a week as the Village
Gippsland’s largest commercial Theatre. Apart from a tatty screen, no
cinema auditorium. In 1982 this new other cinema equipment was to be
building replaced the former (1924) found. The hall also included a small
Union Theatre that was destroyed by library at the front and kitchen access
fire in 1980. The arts centre originally from the stage.
had a shared library and foyer space, After another 40 kms the party
however the library was then relocated arrived in Yarram to inspect
leaving a larger foyer space. The Gippsland’s last operating picture
steeply raked auditorium is decorated Stadium 4, Leongatha palace, the (1930) Regent Theatre.

10 2002 CINEMARECORD