For the most part, those of us who are
committed to grassroots community values take solace in slowing down
the rate of destruction until the political pendulum swings toward a
time when people are put before profits, and the public interest
before vested interests.
But Newcastle hosts at least one
stunningly successful project that will inspire anyone looking for
signs of hope in the power of community action.
The beautifully restored and recently
re-opened Regal Theatre in Birmingham Gardens stands as a beacon in
the general gloom of local politics.
The cinema was formerly (and lovingly)
operated for many decades by Bruce Avard, and was locally famous for
offerings that were refreshingly different from the homogeneous fare
of the big chain multiplex cinemas.
The Regal building itself (converted
from a former community hall) became something of a period piece,
with a homespun retro atmosphere that complemented Bruce's own warm,
personalised style.
And then there were Bruce's almost
equally famous home-made choc-tops, maintained at the Regal long
after they had been usurped by mass-produced corporate-branded fast
food in the big chain cinemas.
Before the Regal was closed in late
2006 as a result of action by Newcastle Council, it had established a
large, regular and loyal patronage from across the lower Hunter.
The role of the Regal in Newcastle's
cultural life was highly regarded in the local community, and was
formally recognised in heritage and cinema history registers.
Soon after it closed, a community group
– the Friends of the Regal (co-founded by the late former Newcastle
Lord Mayor, Greg Heys) - formed to reopen it.
Local hearts and minds were with them,
but it was still a long, hard slog for those involved.
At a council meeting where the proposal
to transfer ownership to a community-based trust was debated, I can
recall one (now former) Independent Newcastle councillor predicting
that it would never succeed.
Securing funding was a key issue, and
the campaign received a major boost when prominent figures from
Australia's national film industry threw their support behind the
project, including the producers of Happy Feet,
who provided high quality modern digital projection technology on
community-friendly terms.
The
“refurbished, rejuvenated and restored” cinema (to
quote the Regal website) was
re-opened last month with a program that signalled that it is once
again poised to play a significant role in our city's cultural life.
While some features of the building have been necessarily modernised,
it has retained its former community character, with
community-friendly prices to match (standard price is $7.00 a
ticket).
At the moment, the cinema is being run
by a small group of dedicated volunteers. The plan is to transfer the
running of the theatre to an appropriate private operator later in
the year, with the community retaining ownership through the
non-profit, community-based Regal Cinema Building Trust.
The Regal tradition established by
Bruce Avard of a short introductory talk just before the curtains
open for the movie has been continued - now accompanied by a celebrity
dog.
And to (literally) top it off, they've
even brought back the home-made choc tops - based (I'm told) on
Bruce's own secret recipe.
Congratulations to all concerned for an
inspiring community effort!
The Regal Cinema contact number is 4950
7630; website: http://regalcinema.com.au/
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