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In 1970, the Orana was purchased by the
L to R: John Chadwick (Provincial Theatres), Rex Barry (United Artists), Arthur Callander reportedly funded by the sale of the Orana,
(Chairman/Director N.E. Theatres), Mrs Chadwick (Barry’s wife), Barbara Rayner, C. Barry Chadwick and the drive-in re-opened in December 1979.
(Company Secretary) Tiff Rayner (Orana Manager). - July 1970.
the Orana gradually declined and it could no the company had insufficient assets to cover that the Orana was open six nights a week
longer survive financially. The staff were given liabilities and there were concerns expressed during the time that the drive-in was
written notification of the impending closure for the entitlements of long time employees of temporarily closed after the fire.
only days before the final screening on the the company, in particular, the projectionist
14 November 1970. The balance sheet showed Reg Stewart.
Above: The Orana under Village management. c. 1970
Below: The four-screen Wangaratta Cinema Centre.
14 CINEMARECORD # 89
Village Drive-in, renovated and re-opened in
December 1970 as the Village Orana
Cinema. The two venues operated in parallel
for a number of years, screening the same
double feature program, swapping reels at
interval courtesy of the local police car.
However, this changed forever when the
Orana presented its final screening in 1979.
At the time of its closure, the Orana was
managed by Bill Fawkes, and the projectionist
was Jon Medlin. It remained shuttered for a
period of time, although still retained by
Village Theatres. The theatre was essentially
gutted, but was used for a while as a
“Skatescene” skating rink, followed by a
period of time as an indoor cricket centre. The
building still remains, but is now an arcade.
Many of the younger residents, no doubt, are
blissfully unaware of its original purpose.
In 1979, a disastrous fire destroyed the Village
Drive-in central Café and bio-box above.
These were rebuilt in a modern, compact form,
Jon Medlin (the Orana projectionist) recalls
In 1982, Village sold the drive-in to Kenric
Theatres, and it continued to serve the town
until 1997, having been operated by a number
of independent exhibitors under lease. The
opening of the new 3-screen Wangaratta
Cinema Centre (now 4-screens) eventually
starving the Wangaratta Drive-in of product.
Although there have been many changes to the
venues that screened films in Wangaratta, it is
one of comparatively few rural towns and
cities that still has regular cinema
entertainment. ¬
Wangaratta’s theatres over the years are listed
below:-
Plaza, Murphy Street. (Formerly His Majesty’s).
Lower Town Hall, Ford Street.
Orana, 21-25 Reid Street.
St. Patrick’s Hall, Ford Street. (First talkies).
His Majesty’s Open Air, Reid Street.
Theatre Royal, Reid Street.
Amphitheatre, Murphy Street.
Cinema Centre, Cnr. Ovens & Reid Streets.
Village Drive-in, Shanley Street.
Acknowledgements:
Kevin Adams for additional research and
information.
Images:
Rod Cook
Rod How
CATHS’ archive.