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According to The Examiner of 24
November 2003, the redevelopment
would include a mezzanine floor art
gallery, a café with indoor and outdoor
eating a sunken floor and raised roof to
allow the huon pine replica to be
displayed fully rigged.

Paragon Queenstown
A sign on this theatre (above right)
says ‘Re-opens 8 January 2005’.
Alicia Hall, Beaconsfield
Across the Tamar from Georgetown
is the former gold mining town of
Beaconsfield. The Grubb Shaft
Museum demonstrates how foresight
and hard work can re-develop a derelict
building and build a community asset.
Among many exhibits and stories of
old Georgetown, the museum houses a
display about which tells the story of Robert (Bert) and his wife Winifred. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
the Alicia Hall/Beaconsfield Theatre. Winnie bicycled around the district Ross King thanks Sharon Verhulst,
Alicia Hall (right) is believed to be hanging posters for the movie that Museum Development Officer, Grubb
one of the first buildings in Tasmania to week. Usually a dance was held after Shaft Museum for assistance with
show moving pictures. Built by Mr T. the film. Belle carried on during the information on Alicia Hall and CATHS
member Ray Peck, Launceston for his
H. Walduck, a local business man and war years with the help of her brother news and hospitality.
completed in 1899, the hall was named Reuben Olden.
after his eldest daughter. It had a In 1947 the Alicia Hall was
balcony and two shops leased out on purchased by Mr. J.H. (Jack) Bilson
either side of the foyer. and was renamed the Beaconsfield
In the early years the hall served as Picture Theatre. Jack and his wife
a venue for live theatre and concerts. It Anzac, ran the theatre successfully for
continued to be used for charity and almost 20 years. They employed ushers
debutante balls until the 1970s. On and projection staff. During this time a
these occasions the downstairs seating CinemaScope screen was installed and
was removed. film festivals became part of the screen
Annabelle (Belle) and Frank Cowie fare.
purchased the hall in 1911. Belle The theatre was sold in the 1980s
showed lantern slides and later, with the and converted into an upholstery
help of her husband, moving pictures. factory. During this time an old cocoa
Belle would sometimes supply the tin was unearthed that contained
background music, but when she was original receipts from the builders of
working in the ‘Projection Room’ Miss the hall, written out to Mr Walduck.
Vera Manion handled the musical side. The Manion family became
During a conscription rally in 1917 involved with the building a second
there was a bomb scare at the theatre in time when Mr Brendan Manion Jnr.
which the local constable and Frank bought it in the 1990s and turned it into Photos by Ross King except for the
Cowie were injured. squash courts and a sauna. Now it is the Paragon Queenstown, which is by
Talkies were installed in the 1930s St Vincent de Paul retail outlet, still Fred Page.
and Belle was assisted by her son owned by Mr Manion. ★

CINEMARECORD 2004 29