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The
The
Roxy Theatre
Roxy Theatre

and the
and the
Cinema War
Cinema War
in Bingara.
in Bingara.

By Gerry Kennedy

Bingara is a rural community
situated some 608 kms northwest of
Sydney. The town of 1,236 people is
situated on the Fossickers Way,
between Inverell and Narrabri. The
district was founded on alluvial gold
deposits and for a short time diamonds
also contributed to the local economy.
Today grazing and cropping are the
main pursuits in the district. At its peak
Bingara’s population numbered 2,000.
Bingara has had five screening
venues over the years, with no less than
three available at once. All venues were
located in the main thoroughfare,
Maitland St. (1)
The town’s first permanent film
show was known as Bingara Moving
Pictures situated on the south side of
the shopping centre. This open-air venue
was owned by the Finkernagel family,
who operated an engineering workshop.
Then followed two Regent theatres:
the first in the Memorial Hall, the
second was purpose built, and finally,
the purpose built Roxy Theatre.
The School of Arts and Soldiers
Memorial Hall (formally the School of
Arts) became the first indoor venue. It
traded as the Regent and in its later
days was likely run by a Mr. Peacock.
In 1947 the RSL, proprietors of the
Soldier’s Memorial Hall, applied for a
liquor licence for their premises. The
application was denied because of the
location of two neighboring hotels. A
process of negotiation to swap premises
600/630 (2) on a single floor, the new
with the Shire began. The RSL’s
theatre presented a low profile to
facilities are now in Finch St and the
Maitland St. It was constructed in brick
former Memorial Hall, in Maitland St.,
and featured a Spanish look parapet.
is now the Bingara Shire Offices.
The new theatre was called the Regent
The next part of the Bingara story
as well. (Top)
centres around the Regent Café on the
An open-air venue (usually known
west side of Maitland St. Built by Mr.
as picture gardens) was also
Peacock in the early 1930’s this large,
constructed at the rear of the Regent.
art deco café is still operating, albeit in
A brick projection booth was built onto
a vastly altered form (opposite).
the rear of the Regent’s stage wall
Peacock decided in the 1930’s to build
(above). The use of indoor and outdoor
a new theatre in Maitland St diagonally
venues was common in the warmer
opposite the Regent Café. Seating
8 2004 CINEMARECORD