Page 6 - CR31R.pdf

The OZONE by Gerry
Mildura Kennedy

he rural city of Mildura is The Waterman Brother’s chain of excellence in sound and vision, and
situated in the Sunraysia Ozone theatres operated in close luxurious comfort for patrons. The
Tirrigation district of Victoria, association with the Hoyts chain, rectangular boxes of the earlier era were
some 557 kms north west of which later acquired the South very much challenged by these new
Melbourne. Today the Mildura and Australian Company in 1951. innovative building designs.
district population is about 50,000. The The Ozone joined a famous group of On 6 May 1938 the architects
Sunraysia area is truly like an oasis in seven theatres that were designed by submitted plans to the Victorian Health
the desert and its economy is largely architects H. Vivian Taylor and Soilleux, Department (HD) for a large and
based on the extensive orchard, and built by T.R. & L. Cockram Pty. distinctive two level theatre. The plans
vineyard and farming industries. Ltd. (both of Melbourne) between 1935 were approved in the same month. The
Cinema entertainment was always and 1941 - the Ozone being the sixth in building covered a site 22.5 m x 46.5
in high demand - especially when the the program. These magnificent theatres m (75’ x 155’) and it was built in the
fruit pickers temporarily increased the of the later half of the 1930’s were Art Deco style.
district’s population during the pacesetters in design, featuring technical The floor plan included a wide
summer season! Seeing the potential
for good business in the area the
Waterman Bros. (major cinema
entrepreneurs from South Australia),
acquired most of the cinemas in the
Sunraysia district including screens in
Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein and in
nearby Wentworth (N.S.W). Up to the
time of the building of the Ozone, the
Astor and Capitol Theatres were the
most comfortable and best-appointed
houses in Mildura.
The Ozone Theatre was situated in
Langtree Avenue. It was built by
Inland Theatres Pty. Ltd. C/- Ozone
Theatres Pty .Ltd. of 41 King St.
Adelaide; this was an associate
Dress CircleFoyer
Company of the Waterman Bros.

6 2002 CINEMARECORD