Page 8 - CinemaRecord #80

o look at the residential site now, one would never guess what used to be there.
TBut Bundaberg (QLD) once had a drive-in theatre situated near the
corner of Maynard and Fitzgerald Streets from 1959-1989.
The Skyway Drive-in was billed as a family friendly theatre and showed many well-known movies.

1959-1966: Bundaberg Drive-in Pty Ltd
On 30 July 1959 Council granted approval to Bundaberg Drive-in Pty Ltd to
develop the site on the corner of Maynard and Fitzgerald Streets as a drive-
in theatre. The Films Commission then had to grant a licence for the theatre
which they did on 28 September 1959. However the Commission also stated
that Council must licence the ground for use as a theatre before it could
operate. Council decided they would issue the licence when the theatre was
completed to their satisfaction .
3
Construction began shortly after this initial approval was granted from both
the Films Commission and the Council. The Council was contracted to do the
clearing, excavation and drainage of the site, in addition to bitumenising the
ramps. The building and electrical work was given to Bundaberg contractors.

Manager of Bundaberg Drive-in Pty Ltd, Mr Reg Hunt, visited Bundaberg
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the work being carried out.

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see movies” - was advertised for Thursday 19 November 1959. However,
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& Anthony Quinn, and Mystery Lake with George Fenneman & Gloria
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venue in front of a capacity crowd. Excited about the new asset for the
district’s families he said...
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themselves.”

8 2013 CINEMAREC ORD