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mezzanine foyer, a wonder in itself with a
pronounced oriental motif and monumental
beams thrusting upward beneath the upper
circle.
Mrs Milgrove had sufficient resources to run
the Regent without succumbing to the current
trend of conversion to a multiplex. Virtually
continuous sessions were offered to meet
conditions set by distributors, but soon after the
owner’s death her beloved theatre was closed
on 31 January 2004. Unexpectedly a
community groundswell of affection for the
almost unique cinema led to campaigns for a
heritage classification. While not attracting a
permanent preservation order, it has been listed
both by the local council and state government
as worthy of retention. By April 2005 the
property had been purchased by a Pentecostal
church and, I believe, stands untouched to this
day.
Wollongong University Union Hall initially
had no ornamentation to speak of and
accommodated 648 patrons. A 1993 rebuild
increased capacity to 996 and provided a
slightly more traditional ambience with a grey
and maroon colour scheme, proscenium stage,
The Civic maroon drapes and rear projection. I recall that
moveable seats were arranged in straight lines
and an arched proscenium displaying rosettes classical pipe organ in the auditorium. No local on a single level. While there were no wings,
in a criss-cross pattern. Windows were covered theatre had installed a theatre organ, such as a dressing rooms or fly tower, the wide stage
with bronze curtains rather than fancy plaster Wurlitzer, although pianos and small orchestras housed a screen measuring 15 by 6.8 metres.
panels, and were closed with roller shutters. had accompanied early silent films. However, Programs were screened once a week during
Stepped balconies extended from the dress in a bid to sway the opinion of local alderman term and open not only to students but also
circle to doors within the proscenium splays to when considering an organ for the members of the public. The box office and
external staircases, but no longer provided reconstructed hall, Palings music store installed candy bar were situated in a sizeable carpeted
additional seating, much like the Crown. a Concert Hammond Organ temporarily in the foyer where expansive glass walls allowed
Regent to demonstrate a cheaper alternative, patrons to enjoy glimpses of surrounding lawns
Original stage curtains, were replaced in 1939 but to no avail. and gardens.
by bronze crushed velvet. As footlights dimmed
the drapes parted to reveal a large traditionally The Regent opened on 26 December 1957 after At the time of writing University Union Hall
sized screen. That was updated with installation several years of snail-paced construction. While and Greater Union Town continue to operate.
of VistaVision in December 1954. Presumably the extended ground floor foyer displayed a The Fairy Meadow drive-in closed in 1984. ★
renovations to the proscenium were not vivid ultra-modern décor, the auditorium
permitted in this publicly owned building so exhibited traces of traditional design. The
that, when CinemaScope films came to be breathtaking ceiling displayed hundreds of
shown, I felt cheated to see a relatively small white globes in criss-cross plaster moulding.
letterbox image after upper masking had been Light green plain walls were offset by two Sources:
lowered to produce the appropriate ratio. There plaster mouldings of mythical scenes on each
were minimal facilities for live performances – side of a plain arched proscenium. Orange red City of Wollongong library.
narrow wings, no fly tower and a few dressing stage drapes were unfringed. There were no Gauffered Velour by Robert Parkinson
rooms under the stage. facilities for live performances, but a sizeable Illawarra Mercury [newspaper]
screen catered for any film ratio. The projection Late Mrs R Milgrove
Mainly first-release Paramount and United box was behind the dress (or upper) circle. Michael Parkinson
Artists films were screened twice daily at 1.30 William Parkinson
and 7.30 pm, and popular re-runs were Morris Jones, and later his sister Rowena
presented regularly. One example of continuous Milgrove, continued an innovatory policy of Images:
screenings occurred when films of Royal Visit Cinemascope newsreels, sneak previews, Illawarra Mercury
tours were screened on 11 February 1954, the Sunday and midnight sessions, weekday
South Coast Times
day when Queen Elizabeth came to town. morning and afternoon matinees, stereophonic Building Magazine
Terms of the lease with Wollongong Council sound and 70 mm projection. Programs at first M. Roberts
required access for concerts, the local came from the same studios that had supplied R. Milgrove
Eisteddfod and such like, but Herbert Jones and the Civic, but after closure of the Crown and
son Morris offset these interruptions with a Savoy, the Regent presented any available
progressive policy of innovations like a hearing product. Mrs Milgrove graciously allowed use
loop, foreign language films and, of course, of the theatre for public meetings and related
widescreen. activities. In 1995 I was invited to address a
Heritage Committee function in the theatre
25 January 1964 was the final screening day for prior to a screening of the silent Australian film
the Civic. Council then demolished the For the Term of His Natural Life. Also in 1995
structure to erect a modern general purpose hall. my book on Illawarra picture shows was
While films and most live performances were launched by ABC theatre historian and Page 17:
not catered for, the Council unexpectedly, and broadcaster John West. That ceremony was not The magnificent Wollongong Regent.
in the face of some opposition, installed a held in the auditorium but in the cavernous Images CATHS Archive

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