Page 15 - CinemaRecord #85

disbandonment), to the Australian Miner’s Council, carried out a feasibility study. A firm Film Screenings: 1925 - 1969
Federation with the Retired Mineworkers’ of architects was engaged to draw plans to
Association responsible for the theatre’s convert the cinema into a proper live theatre. References:
management over the next few years. Years of conflict, indecision and disputation
ensued. The Borough Council put forward is 1. Local untitled tourist brochure.
The Wonthaggi Theatrical Group became the own plans and wanted to use its staff to design
main user of the venue from 1969 and various and supervise the project. Eventually, in 2. Summary of the Borough of
film exhibitors also used the theatre. A branch 1980, the Council purchased the Union Wonthaggi’s History – A paper from
of the Victorian Arts Council was formed in Theatre for $7,000 (the balance owing to the the Wonthaggi and District Historical
Society (author unknown).
Wonthaggi, which gave the town access to Arts Mining Federation).
Council touring shows. In 1975 the Theatrical 3. “IT’S ON AT THE UNION – The Wonthaggi
Group purchased the theatre on very generous On the evening of Thursday 10 April 1980 the
Miners’ Union Theatre 1925 –78”
terms from the Australian Miners’ Federation Union Theatre was largely destroyed by a by Joe and Lyn Chambers. Published by
For just $13,500, payable over 10 years, the mysterious fire. After 54 years the building the Wonthaggi and District Historical
group gained ownership of a property which that was so much part of the working, social Society 1982.
was subsequently insured for $375,000 in and political life of the town was no more.
1980. The union had been very generous. Luckily the Council had the building well 4. Interviews with Lyn Chambers
insured and by the end of 1982 the new Union
In 1978 the Health Department was putting Community Arts Centre was opened on the 5. Notes provided by the Wonthaggi &
pressure on the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group site – but that is another story. H District Historical Society.
to upgrade the sewerage services at the theatre,
which was beyond the Group to finance. An Architect: H. Norris (Melbourne) Images:
application for assistance was made to the Builder: Crawford & Sons (Melbourne)
newly formed Ministry for the Arts. The Owners: Wonthaggi Miners Union All images supplied by Wonthaggi &
Ministry, on the understanding the ownership Hall Opened: 1924 District Historical Society
of the Union was passed to the Borough Fire Destroyed: 1980
* Best available images have been used

MYSTERY THEATRE

Can you identify this theatre? This picture was amongst a collection donated to the CATHS Archive recently. We don’t know which state or
area it is in. None of our “experts” have been successful in identifying it – can you?

CINEMARECORD # 85 15