Page 30 - CinemaRecord #77C

Town Hall/Civic Exterior.
Wollongong Town Hall (Civic).
Dapto Regal.
30 2013 CINEM AREC ORD
Within just seventeen months Boland died from
cancer on 17 March 1933 aged only 49 and
his career received glowing press tributes, not
only in the Sydney metropolitan area but also
in Wollongong.
Included among his admirable qualities were
good relations with employees and charitable
interests. In the days before widespread social
welfare many picture-show proprietors often
arranged benefit screenings for deserving
causes, and Boland was no exception.
One instance concerned my aunt Ethel May
Parkinson whose husband Alfred was killed
During the lease with Union Theatres, Boland
took an extended overseas holiday and then accidentally during construction of Port Kembla
resumed residence in Sydney, this time in powerhouse in August 1918. A fund was
Dulwich Hill. It was there he indulged an interest established from subscriptions and a picture
in the revival of vaudeville by establishing benefit given free of all cost by Mr H Boland;
the Connors-Paul company with himself as in addition “a vote of thanks was extended to the
“sleeping” partner, stage veterans Mike Connors orchestra for giving their services free of charge”
and Queenie Paul being co-partners. Boland was (Illawarra Mercury. 27 September 1918).
also involved with a picture-show in Crows Nest
that was later to become a Hoyts’ operation. Wollongong Theatres Ltd continued to flourish,
expanding operations with new theatres in
It has been suggested that Boland missed Thirroul (Kings in 1935) and Wollongong
an opportunity to take over Union Theatres (Savoy in 1936), and several new leases between
which soon after was resurrected as Greater 1936 and 1954 (Port Kembla Whiteway, Kiama
Union. However, he was most likely pre- Antrim, Coniston Hall, Unanderra Hall,
occupied with the other business interests Dapto Regal, Albion Park Literary Institute
and his state of health. and Shellharbour Empire).
Kiama Antrim 1924.
Thirroul Kings.
Thirroul Kings.