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FIERY END FOR COUNTRY CINEMA

Reported by CATHS member and local resident, Peter O'Reilly

The Melba Theatre in Cobram The theatre is elaborately
was destroyed by fire on Saturday illuminated with coloured fluorescent
April 10, 2010. The fire started about strip lighting in the ceiling and is one
11 pm and was attended by 50 of the most modern and up to date in
firefighters from Cobram and provincial Victoria.”
surrounding towns, but was not able The theatre closed in 1984 and
to be controlled, completely gutting was used as an indoor market for
the building, destroying the roof, and some time. It was re-opened as a twin
partly demolishing a side wall. cinema in 1997 and has been running
Miraculously the original Melba neon since then under the family of Robert
sign on the front of the building and Sue Gemmell.
survived unscathed.
Twleve hours after the fire, the
The theatre was built on wreckers moved in with the big no
Wadeson's tennis court in Bank Street soul destructor and completely
Cobram by J.G. Scott (Jack) and was flattened the theatre site.
officially opened on Wednesday Unfortunately along with the bricks
December 1, 1948. went the fabulous Melba Claude
Construction took 18 months Neon sign that has been a local icon
complete, and because of regulations for some 62 years.
relating to post wartime shortages, all So sad, but the excuse is that we
new buildings had to contain a have to put safety ahead of the cost of
percentage of used building materials. past memories.
The bricks came from Deniliquin and
Thankfully the Memories live on!
the timber, steel girders, caneite
ceiling, air conditioner and boilers
came from the old Area theatre at
Bonegilla Migrant Camp.
Having been a master builder prior
to becoming a picture show man, Jack
Scott carried out all the designing and
architectural work himself. It was
reported that “the Melba is luxuriously
laid out and the appointments will be
ideal for the picture patron who likes
comfort and pleasant surroundings,
combined with air conditioning and
central heating to maintain an even
temperature throughout summer and
winter.

GRANTVILLE: The former UPWEY: Building is in progress on GEELONG: $3 million is being
Grantville Drive-In Theatre is on the the new $9.6 million Burrinja Theatre spent on upgrading and redeveloping
market with an asking price of $1.5 in Glenfern Road. The 400-seat venue the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.
million for the 10.4 acre site. Much of is toted to become a cultural hub for the The overhaul will provide multiple
the land has been rezoned for Dandenong ranges. performance spaces, including a
residential use with approval for 31 reworking of the former Plaza Theatre
home sites. which was redeveloped into the modern
MELBOURNE: Nice touch from Ford Theatre in 1981.
the owners of the historic Palace MELBOURNE: Final stage of the
Theatre in Bourke Street with a $750 million Direct Factory Outlets at
prominent sign that reads “Palace South Wharf to be completed in
Theatre- established 1912”. Very nice December are reported to include a six
to see the history of the Palace nee or seven screen cinema complex in the
National/Apollo/St.James/Metro basement.
acknowledged!

CINEMARECORD 2010 5