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(The Roxy ran The Dambusters!). The official
opening was performed by the Mayor, Cr. R.H.
Petty, with proceeds of the night going to two
local charities. The local paper had a three page
spread and the advertising emphasised that the
Plaza was to continue to operate. Presumably,
the St. Patrick’s Theatre closed just prior to
the Orana’s opening.
The local population was spoilt for choice,
with each theatre having twice weekly
changeovers, Saturday to Monday, and
Tuesday to Friday. Matinees were held on
Thursday at the Orana and Saturday at the
Plaza. There were day sessions of current
attractions. It appears that there were no
traditional children’s matinees in the scheme
of things.
In 1959, Wangaratta became a city, its
population exceeding 12,000. At Christmas of
Construction begins c. 1956 that year, Village opened the sixth drive-in in
their chain in Shanley Street at a cost of
Melville and Andrews, and plumbing was by studios’ proprietary ratios. The original £60,000. For some time, the Orana, Plaza and
J. Harrison. Apart from the boost to the town’s projection equipment consisted of C&W the Village Drive-in survived in tandem until
economy, the construction was a sign of post projectors, Westrex sound and arc lamps. the Plaza closed in 1963 and was converted
war prosperity. into a retail space.
Lifelong Wangaratta projectionist, Reg
The name “Orana” (Aboriginal for “welcome”) Stewart, was transferred from the nearby Plaza The Orana not only screened films, but was
was chosen from a competition, the winning Theatre where he had been employed since used for community events such as the
entry coming from a young soldier based at 1941. He remained at the Orana for many Swallow’s Concert and Swallow’s Parade
Bandiana Army Camp near Wodonga. The years until his untimely death when a train and Grand Final on Sunday 24 April 1960.
Orana had an uncomplicated, rendered his car collided on the Reid Street railway
frontage with the entrance to the left of the crossing. Reg was also a keen aviator, his home Television station AMV4 commenced
auditorium. The night scene was set off by the in leafy Reid Street sporting a giant plane transmission in 1964 under the management
largest sign in the town, at 17 feet high with propeller as a distinct decorative adornment to of the late Denzil Howson. The Albury based
an 11 foot horizontal piece on top. the front of his house. station’s transmitter in Wodonga reached as
far as Benalla and some were able to watch
Entry to the theatre was to the left of the main The opening date for the Orana was set as GMV6 Shepparton as well. The availability of
building which contained the auditorium. 31 August 1956, three days after the opening essentially free entertainment (apart from a TV
Display cases were either side of the entrance of the Roxy Theatre, Robinvale. It was also licence) in one’s home was an irresistible offer,
doors and large draped windows were to the during one of Victoria’s wettest spells which one which the industry trade publications had
right of the entrance, behind which was the saw much flooding. In view of the weather, the been ignoring for years.
lobby. The foyer was an L-shape and had an opening was delayed until 3 October 1956. The
island ticket box. The front stalls was accessed opening film could not be in greater contrast - As was the case with most theatres that now
from the far end. Access to the dress circle and Safari starring Victor Mature and Janet Leigh. had to compete with television, attendances at
back stalls was via a staircase
situated to the right of the Below: The proscenium and the stalls seating
entrance foyer, in the lobby
underneath the auditorium. At
the top of the stairs was a
crossover between these two
classes of seats. The interior was
rather basic, with little in the way
of decoration. This was in
keeping with current minimalist
architectural conventions of the
time. The auditorium was lit
from the side walls. The ceiling
was lined but the steel beams
were visible, albeit painted in a
similar style to the Regal in
Benalla and the Maya in
Morwell. The theatre’s capacity
was 1175 with dress circle, front
and back stalls. The delineation
between lounge and other seats
were the fixed chairs, the
remainder being tip up.
Presentation wise, the theatre
could screen all formats from
standard ratio through to
CinemaScope as well some of the

CINEMARECORD # 89 13