Page 36 - CR

The steep climb over the range to Gormanston
and the Linda Valley was a test for both our
drivers, Mike and Jim as we reached the
snowline. It wasn’t very long however
before the snow began falling again soon
covering the roadway to a depth of 15cm.

Next was a drive by the Tarraleagh township
and the Hydro Hall en route to picturesque
New Norfolk where we sought out the former
Forresters Picture Hall and Plaza Theatre
(now a Chemist shop). Part of the Plaza had Theatre Royal.
been converted into a smaller cinema but it too
had long since ceased to operate. Following Our first call on Monday was to Hobart’s
some refreshment – next stop Hobart. Theatre Royal – Australia’s oldest theatre.
We were given an extensive tour of this bijou
Saturday being the first of our three day stay in that has survived both threats of demolition
Hobart was an “at leisure” day, starting with a and fire during its long history. Following
visit to the Salamanca Place market followed by the tour we were treated to a sumptuous
tour members doing their own thing. i.e.: visit to home-made morning tea before leaving
the Botanical Gardens or the stunning MONA - for our next inspection, the former Avalon
Museum of Old and New Art. Theatre (Temperance Hall) in Melville
Street, currently for sale at $800,000.00.
The following day being Sunday, we had a
tour of the State Cinema complex at North Off to suburban Moonah for a lunch stop and Avalon.
Hobart. What a revelation! Combining to check out the former Moonah Theatre,
restaurant and café facilities with boutique now unrecognisable as a shop and office
cinemas successfully re-inventing the “going complex save for the plaque at the rear of the
to the pictures’experience. building noting its history.

After lunch it was back to the city for an
at leisure afternoon for some, while others
continued theatre site hunting visiting the
1909 King’s Hall, (kitchen and bathroom
company) the Variety, now a Salvos
outlet, the Tatler (Cinema One) a religious
centre; the Odeon (ex Strand) off limits as Kings.
unsafe, His Majesty’s, (menswear store)
State.
Hoyts Midcity (basement offices) plus The next day we departed Hobart for the
the operating Village Centre and the live former penal settlement of Port Arthur on
Leaving the State we travelled south from performance Playhouse Theatre (former the Tasman Peninsular. After crossing the
Hobart taking in the Town Halls at Kingston Amuzu Cinema) in a converted church. Derwent via the Tasman Bridge and further
Beach and Huonville before arriving at along, the causeway to Sorrell, we made a
Franklin for lunch and a tour of the Palais Being our last night in Hobart, we enjoyed a photo stop at the Memorial Hall/Theatre in
Theatre operated by our host and CATHS group dinner at a Newtown hotel. Sorrell before continuing our way south.
member, Sam Turner.

Franklin. Moonah.

36 2012 CINEM AREC ORD