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THE KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
Evangelical churches around the
world have a strong record in theatre
preservation. Theatre auditoriums suit
their multi-media style of service.
The former Forge Creek Road
Cinema of Bairnsdale is now the
Christian Outreach Centre. The 208-
seat auditorium built for Bob Latimer
in the 1980s retains its wide screen and
much of the projection equipment,
although not in working order. The
projector was a Ballantyne of Omaha
with Xebex light source and GUVT
Panastereo sound.
At Corryong CATHS were treated
to a country-style afternoon tea by
Pastor Doug Allen, his wife Associate
Pastor Carol Allen and the congregation
of the Ambassadors for Jesus. In 1994
the group took over a theatre built in
1960 for Bill Newman as part of his
country circuit. (A small part of Bill
Newman’s cinema history was recalled
in CR 45.)
Stepping into the projection room is
a step back in time. The paired C&W P
Six projectors with RCA sound heads
look ready to arc up. Tools and
accessories sit handy to where they
might be needed. Pastor Allen, an ex-
RAAF projectionist and sound and
radio specialist, knows the equipment
and its potential.
The stage setting retains the ‘Scope
screen, concealed by brown, crushed
velvet curtains with blue side drapes.
Husband and wife measured, cut and
sewed the curtains on their home
sewing machine. The original material
was said to have come from a theatre in
Prahran.
MIX AND MATCH
At Lakes Entrance the operators of
the Lakes Squash& Movie Theatre,
Chris and Diane Fuhrmeister have
found that the combination of sport and
film work well enough to be
considering extensions for a second
cinema. In the summer season they
accommodate overflow crowds in the
basketball stadium. They promote the
dual sites as the Lakes Entrance Twin
Cinemas and also run a show at
Mallacootta.
Originally six squash courts and an
From the top: The former Forge Creek Road single screen is now The Christian
aerobics centre, the aerobics section
Outreach Centre.
was converted to a 154-seat cinema in
Centre: The former Corryong Cinema.
1997. Patrons walk up a common
Above: What’s in appearances if it works? The Lakes Squash & Movie Theatre at
staircase to the thwack, thwack of balls
Lakes Entrance. A second screen may be added to this building.
hitting concrete.
CINEMARECORD 2005 9