cinema pioneer of the year - The Society of Australian Cinema

The Society of
AUSTRALIAN
CINEMA PIONEERS
Please address all correspondence to
BRUCE LEONARD
National Honorary Secretary/Treasurer
9 Collins Crescent, Lapstone 2773 (E-mail - brunard@optusnet.com.au)
BULLETIN - OCTOBER 2013
OUR 73rd
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
mike baard
M
ike commenced his professional adventures in film in
South Africa at the age of 15 when the first video rental
store in his neighbourhood decided his encyclopaedic
knowledge and passion for film could be put to good use
to get their customers excited at the relatively new concept of
renting cassettes. His after-hours and weekend activities during his
High School and University years were spent immersed in this
world and it formed an early appreciation of the relationship
between film and consumers.
After University, Mike joined Nu Metro Entertainment as a Sales
Executive. These were the heydays of the video boom and the
company represented 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company,
New Line Cinema and Warner Bros’ interests. He progressed up the
ladder, first as National Sales Manager and then as Sales &
Marketing Director, ultimately overseeing a slate of more than 300
annual releases. In 1994, he joined the Acquisitions team and over
the next 10 years, he negotiated and acquired the rights to more than
800 films. During this time, he also oversaw the launch of “sellthrough” and worked on some of the most successful franchises of
all time, including the Bond films, the first ever reissue of the
original Star Wars trilogy and the Disney Classics.
As Sales and Marketing Director, Mike also oversaw Nu Metro’s
Games business and was responsible for the successful launch of
franchises such as “Command and Conquer” and “Tomb Raider”.
In 1997, Nu Metro entered into a joint venture with Warner Bros. to
establish a new Theatrical distribution business in South Africa and
Mike was appointed Sales & Marketing Director. In 1999, he
became Managing Director, a position he held until 2002 when he
immigrated to Australia. During this time he oversaw the release of
more than 200 films including the first film in the “Lord of the
Rings” trilogy, the first two “Harry Potter” films, the three “Austin
Powers” films, the Bond film “Die Another Day” and “The
Matrix”.
As Managing Director of Warner-Nu Metro Film Distribution, Mike
also held a seat on the Board of Nu Metro Entertainment. In addition
to the Film Distribution operation, Nu Metro Entertainment operates
240 cinema screens at 27 multiplexes under the banner of Nu Metro
Theatres, represents the licenses of 20th Century Fox, Disney,
Paramount, MGM, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. within Nu
Metro Home Entertainment and represents Universal Studios,
MGM, the US PGA Tour and numerous other leading global brands
within Nu Metro Licensing. Mike played a strategic role in the
development of each of these businesses. He also oversaw Content
Sales for the Group to all Pay TV and Free TV channels in the
market and was involved in the expansion of the Film Distribution
divisions operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Mike left Nu Metro at the end of 2002 and immigrated to Australia.
He established Watermark Consulting which serviced clients,
including Founoon in the Middle East, TNS Media Intelligence in
the UK and Polyphony Entertainment and Ninth Dimension Home
Entertainment in Australia.
In May 2006, Mike was approached by Universal Pictures
International to launch its Australasian operations following the
disbanding of United International Pictures.
Up to August 2013, Mike has overseen the release of more than 130
films in the Australia / New Zealand market which have generated
more than US$1 Billion at the box office. These include some of the
highest grossing films in recent years such as “Despicable Me 2”,
“Ted”, “ Mamma Mia”, “ Bridesmaids” and “Fast and Furious 6”.
In addition to Mike’s responsibilities for Universal’s slate, he also
works closely with Universal’s Home Entertainment and Television
Distribution operations in Australia and New Zealand and supervises
Universal’s distribution arrangement with Paramount Pictures in
New Zealand. He has established first-look partnerships in the film
production sector with Hopscotch Productions and Screen
Corporation. Universal has been responsible for the Australia / New
Zealand distribution of PJ Hogan’s “Mental” and the upcoming
“The Dressmaker”, which will star Kate Winslet and Judy Davis for
Continued on page 3.............
OUR YEAR 2013
NATIONAL
“CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR”
jill robb OAM
S
ixty years ago, Jill Robb arrived in Australia on board
“The Orion”, after an eight week voyage from London.
It was supposed to be a three month working holiday.
Settling in Adelaide, by a series of odd circumstances
and coincidences, she got a job as 'Stand In" for an English
actress starring in a feature film, “DUST IN THE SUN”, which
was directed by Lee Robinson, and being shot in the Northern
Territory by Chips Rafferty and Lee Robinson's production
company, Southern International Films.
Being completely ignorant of film production, Jill thought
'Stand In' meant 'understudy', so she laboriously learned the
entire script. Arriving in Alice Springs, and not being required
on set every day, she offered her services to the production
office, under the control of someone who was to become a
lifelong friend, Joy Cavill. There Jill's shorthand typing skills
were appreciated and she began to realise there might be a future
in this strange industry, which was to become her life's career.
At the end of the shoot of “DUST IN THE SUN”, Jill was
offered full time clerical work in the company's production
office in Sydney, where she spent a couple of years working on
various documentaries, usually commissioned by the then
Commonwealth Film Unit - subsequently to become Film
Australia. These films were mainly shot in the Northern
Territory and often with Aborigines. Some, shot on 35mm, were
screened in cinemas as the support film to the main feature.
Jill's next feature film, in 1963, was “THEY'RE A WEIRD
MOB”, directed by Michael Powell. Lee Robinson was
..........Continued from page 2
Producer Sue Maslin. Universal has a number of other projects in
active development in the Australian market.
In 2011, NBCUniversal purchased a majority stake in the awardwinning Australian Television Production company Matchbox
Pictures (“The Slap”, “Underground”)., and Mike was appointed to
the position of Chairman of the Board. In November 2011, Matchbox
was bestowed with the Screen Producer’s Association’s “Independent
Producer of the Year” Award. In 2013, Matchbox Pictures will
produce more than 60 hours of broadcast television including “The
Devil’s Playground” for Foxtel, “Old School”, starring Bryan Brown
and Sam Neill for the ABC, and “Camp”, starring Rachel Griffiths,
for the U.S. NBC network.
Mike currently serves on the Board of the Australian Film Institute /
Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) and its
Honorary Council. He has previously held the position of Chairman
of the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia.
Mike is honoured to hold the position of President of the Australian
Cinema Pioneers and will continue to support the fellowship of the
organisation whilst also looking for new ways to foster friendship
and outreach to all members.
appointed Associate Producer, and he brought Jill on board as
Production Co-Ordinator.
After a few years at the ABC as Continuity on its drama
productions including “CONTRABANDITS” and the ABC/BBC
co-production “KANE” she worked on documentaries with Gil
Brealey.
1970 saw Jill work as Casting Director on Ted Kotcheff's feature
“WAKE IN FRIGHT”. She then returned to Lee Robinson's
employ and started as a Production Secretary, ascending to
Associate Producer, on the children’s television series “SKIPPY
THE BUSH KANGAROO”, produced by Fauna Productions.
In 1972 Jill moved to South Australia and together with Matt
Carroll, helped Gil Brealey set up the South Australian Film
Corporation. During her three years there she was appointed the
SAFC's first Marketing and Distribution Manager, and oversaw
the release of films like “SUNDAY TOO FAR AWAY”, “STORM
BOY” and “PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK”.
In 1976 she was invited to become the first Chief Executive of
the newly created Film Victoria, and moved to Melbourne.
Films which were supported by Film Victoria at that time
included “THE CHANT OF JIMMY BLACKSMITH” and
“MAD MAX”, among many.
For the next nine years Jill was Chief Executive of Syme
International Productions, an independent production company.
During this period she developed, financed, produced and
marketed one television series, several documentaries and two
feature films, “CAREFUL HE MIGHT HEAR YOU”, and “THE
MORE THINGS CHANGE”. “CAREFUL HE MIGHT HEAR
YOU” won eight (out of eleven) AFI Awards in 1983.
Then it was a move to the ABC where she headed up the
Victorian Division of the Children and Education Department.
From 1993-95 she was producer of 19 episodes of the television
series, “THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER” with the American
TV channel, The Family Channel. This was her last major
production, but she has since intermittently been involved with
the mentoring and development of several film and television
projects.
Jill has served as a Board Member and Deputy Chair of the
Australian Film Finance Corporation, a Board Member of Film
Victoria, and a Committee Member of the Film Certification
Board. She has also been Chairman of Linden Art Gallery and a
Member of the Board of Playbox Theatre.
In 2011 Jill was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
and most recently, “THE JILL ROBB AWARD”, an annual Film
Victoria Award for outstanding achievement in the Victorian
Film and Television Industry, was established in her name.
Jill has long been a supporter of the Australian Cinema
Pioneers, and is greatly honoured to receive this Award.
NEW SOUTH WALES
CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
victoria’S
CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
bruce bath
garth eva
During his school years, Bruce had a great passion for the movies. He grew up
in the western Sydney suburb of Ashfield and lived close to two cinemas, which
gave him the opportunity of seeing as many movies as he could.
Garth first joined the Film Industry 1952, working as an assistant operator at
both Hoyts and Greater Union’s cinemas in Melbourne. He then became a
sound engineer with Gaumont Kalee, where he further developed the technical skills that served him so well for the rest of his working life.
In 1958 at the age of 15 he left school hoping to find a position in the Film
Industry, and as luck would have it he saw an ad. from Columbia Pictures for
an office junior, which he applied for. He went home after the interview with
Terry Power knowing that there had been several applicants for the position,
only to find a telegram waiting for him to say he had secured the position and
to start the next day.
For the first six months he performed the usual office junior duties, but he had
his eye in the direction of the Advertising and Publicity department, and as he
showed so much promise and interest in that area, Colin Jones, who was
Managing Director, moved him into that department.
At that time Kevin Doyle was Advertising Manager. He learned a great deal
from Kevin, and was given the role of looking after Book and Record Tie-in
Promotions, organizing preview screenings for Publishers and Record Label
personnel, and setting up window displays in stores with such great movies as
“LAWRENCE OF ARABIA”.
When Columbia’s resident artist retired, Bruce was put in charge of sending out
all artwork and designs to an outside freelance graphic artist, a role he
undertook for many years under Kevin Doyle’s supervision.
Years later, when Kevin Doyle was promoted to International Advertising
Manager and left for New York, Tony Malone stepped in as Advertising
Manager and he and Bruce worked closely together for some time on all
Columbia projects, including television promotions, film editing, creating TV
commercials, and overseeing all creative work.
Between 1955 and 1958 Garth worked as a projectionist technician and part
time (and later fulltime) teacher at Melbourne Technical College (which
become known as the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology - RMIT).
His teaching initially covered the practical side of the Motion Picture
Projection Course, and later incorporated theory as well as practical when he
took on the fulltime position. Garth taught every projectionist as they studied
to gain their Victorian Projectionist Licence over many years.
For an eight year period, beginning in 1960, Garth and his wife Lois also
operated a weekend Picture Theatre at Healesville, which is located in the
Yarra Valley east of Melbourne.
Hoyts Theatres were expanding their multiplex theatres between 1988 and
1989 and needed projectionists, so Garth rejoined Hoyts following his retirement from RMIT.
Prior to his retirement in 1996 Garth spent a number of years as a Radiation
Consultant, firstly at Noel Arnold and Assoc and later at Eva and Associates
Pty Ltd.
Garth is a committee member of Victoria’s Cinema Industry Benevolent
Fund (CIBF), and has done a large amount of work assisting others through
the fund over the years. A much respected and admired Cinema Pioneer,
Garth was the President of the Victorian Branch of the Society of Australian
Cinema Pioneers in 1995/1996 and continues to serve as not only an active
committee member but takes on the responsibility of Treasurer of the
Victorian Branch.
Then their outside artist took a long holiday leaving the company with no one
to take care of the physical artwork. This was around 1970, which was a big
year for Columbia with movies such as “OLIVER”, “FUNNY GIRL”, and
“MACKENNA’S GOLD”, all of which were ready for release but with no one
to look after the creative side…
Having overseen what was involved for many years, Bruce put his hand up
stating that he could take over the physical side of producing and creating all
advertising for a short term. Colin Jones and Tony Malone decided to give him
a try out, and since he met the challenge, he was promoted to Manager of all
Artwork, Creative Designs, Posters, Press Ads, Magazine Ads, Trade Press and
Front Of House Displays…all this in the days before computers.
Then Michael Tarrant became Managing Director of Columbia and as Bruce
recalls ... “l had a great working relationship with him, furthering creative
ideas….some crazy …some practical”.
When Twentieth Century Fox and Columbia merged and the company name
became Fox Columbia Tri-Star Films with Arthur Griffin as Managing Director
and Michael Luxford as Advertising Manager, the work load became even
greater - but exciting. Then Hoyts merged with Twentieth Century Fox and
Columbia and became Hoyts Fox Columbia Tri-Star Film, with Scott Neeson
as Managing Director and Stephen Basil-Jones as Advertising and Publicity
Manager.
As time moved on, Bruce began working freelance with a number of film
companies, including Warner Bros, United Artists, British Empire Films and
United International Pictures.
Reflecting on his 44 years working in the Film Industry, Bruce admits it has
always been a “Labour of Love” for him, with so many happy memories of
yesteryear. “l have had the good fortune to have worked with, and have known,
so many wonderful people, such as Colin Jones, Kevin Doyle, Tony Malone,
Michael Tarrant, Arthur Griffin, Scott Neeson, Jon Anderson, John Hartman
John Reid, Stephen Basil Jones…. and far too many more to list”.
queensland’S
CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S
CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
ron west
murray matthews
Ron began his career in the Industry at the Opera House, Hawera, New
Zealand in 1943, when he was just ten years old. He worked as an Ice Cream
Boy for the movie programs, and Programme Boy for live shows.
Murray’s interest in films began in 1938 at the age of eleven, with a birthday
At age 16 he started working as Assistant Projectionist at the Opera House.
After 6 months he was transferred to the Town Hall Pictures, Patea, as
Projectionist on a provisional license. He subsequently worked for the
Kerridge-Odeon circuit at the Regent Theatre Whanganui, Kings Theatre
Stratford, and the Regent Theatre Timaru. Taking a break from projection, he
began working as an upholstery assistant at Dominion Seats (Theatrical Seat
Refurbishers) and was involved in installing the seating in the new Regent
Theatre Hawera. He then returned to projection work at the Regent Theatre
Matamata, the Plaza Theatre Stratford and the Majestic Theatre Whanganui.
During his teenage years, he purchased his first 16mm projector, and
present from his two sisters – a black KINO toy projector with a long strip of
35mm film. This was the beginning of a lifelong love of film and projectors.
screenings of 16mm films at home increased his interest in projection.
Murray was seventeen when he began working with a firm of electrical
engineers in Port Adelaide It was here he befriended the operator of the Port
Adelaide Ozone and, due to his enthusiasm, he was given the chance to be a
third boy (unpaid) at this cinema. When the position of Assistant Operator
Ron emigrated to Australia in 1958 on the M.V. Wanganella, and began
working as Film Handler and Technical Officer for the Sydney Film Festival
1958 – 1976. He was also the organist at the State Theatre for the Sydney Film
Festival 1970 – 1976.
became vacant in 1945, it was offered to Murray and he accepted it gratefully.
He was second-in-charge of ushers at the State Theatre during 1959 and 1960,
before moving to Film Australia, where he worked as a Sound Recording
Technician between 1960 and 1971.
In 1949, Murray left the film industry for four years and was employed with
He moved with his family to Queensland in 1971. He installed the projection
equipment at the old Vogue Theatre in Nambour, which reopened as
Maranatha House, and was the projectionist there for eighteen months until it
closed.
started as an Assistant Operator at Semaphore and the Rex Cinema, but by
During the early-1970s, he would travel to Sydney from Queensland twice a
year for a 2-3 week period for The Sydney Film Festival.
Adelaide’s Newsreel Theatre.
With his partner Mandy he ran the Travelling Film Festival at the Majestic
Theatre Pomona for the Sydney Film Festival from 1973 to 1993. Ron and
Mandy bought the Majestic in 1974 as Owner/Managers. Shortly after films
commenced running at the Majestic, they went on to first release programming
with Brisbane. Then in 1987, with opposition from the new Noosa Cinemas
affecting their audiences, they began screening silent films. From 1987 until
2011, the Annual Silent Film Festival was a popular attraction. The Majestic
ran as the only fully operating silent picture theatre in the world.
Between 1964 and 1973, Murray was employed with Merv Pinchbeck in 20th
Ron and Mandy were associated with both the Brisbane Film Festival and the
Woodford Folk Festival for many years presenting silent films for both
organisations.
addition to all the above full-time positions, Murray and his wife Pat ran their
Mandy passed away in 2002 and Ron continued operating the theatre. In 2006
Ron sold the theatre to a local not-for-profit organisation, Pomona Progress
Arts Tourism Inc.
Murray finally retired at age 61, and then entered the next stage of his film
Ron retired at the end of 2011 after having accompanied silent films on the
Majestic’s Compton Organ for 26 years.
theatrette, knowing that it would probably be dumped should the company
In retirement he still continues to run and accompany silent films for various
organisations, from nursing homes to the Queensland Art Gallery’s “Gallery
of Modern Art” (GoMA), and Brisbane’s City Hall.
proscenium as the theatrette’s “The Jewel in the Crown”, and now has regular
Ron has been involved in most aspects of the film industry for 68 years, a
record of which he is most proud.
He later moved to Alberton Ozone, still as Assistant Operator, as it was a bit
closer to his home at Woodville.
Kodak Australia. However, he felt that this had been a mistake, so when the
opportunity presented itself, he accepted a position with Hoyts in 1953. He
1954 he had gained his Projectionist’s Licence. In 1959 he became Chief
Projectionist at Celebrity Cinemas’ Majestic for well-known entrepreneur
“Chick” Arnold, and then in 1962, he began two years at the Globe Cinema,
Century Fox’s Adelaide office – a period that provided an important part of
his future life. Then in 1974, he began working at the Freeman Bros.’ Fair
Lady Cinema, where he remained until it was closed in May 1984. He then
had various temporary positions, working at Silver Screen and Roma,
Festival Theatre, Classic, Glenelg, Piccadilly and Lockleys Cinemas, as well
as two revivals at the Fair Lady during 1984-85 and again during 1986-88. In
own shows between 1964 and 1976 at Klemzig, Port Elliott and Riverton.
projection life. While he was working at 20th Century Fox, his boss
suggested he dismantle the 1928 pressed tin proscenium in the company’s
re-locate. Murray did this, built a theatrette at his home, erected the
screenings in his home, where friends and other film buffs gather to enjoy his
collection of gems from yesteryear.
Murray describes himself as ... “not so much a film fan but a lifelong,
passionate film projectionist.”
WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S
CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
walter (wally) holden
Wally began his career in the Cinema Industry in February
1953, at the young age of 15, with Goldfields Pictures at
the Savoy Theatre in the Perth suburb of East Victoria
Park, as an Assistant Projectionist. Here he trained under
the late Mr Albert Buckingham. On his excellent advice,
Wally purchased a copy of the “Richardson Blue Book of
Projection”, which cost him a week’s wages, but it was the
best investment of his career! At this time, the new
technologies of Cinemascope and four track magnetic
sound were being installed along with wide screen
presentation at the Ambassadors Theatre in Perth.
Later in 1953 Wally had his first experience installing a
screen and masking for wide screen projection at the
Savoy and Broadway Cinemas. The highly flammable
35mm Nitrate film was still very much in circulation at
that time along with safety film.
In December 1955 Wally transferred to Hoyts Theatres at
the Plaza and Ambassadors Theatres in Perth as an
Assistant Projectionist, where he gained further knowledge
of the finer points of presentation. That year he had the
privilege of being invited to be part of the Movie Ball
decorating team on which he served for many years until
the final Ball. In 1960 with the introduction of 70mm film
and 6 track Dolby magnetic sound he had the pleasure of
screening many hugely popular movies such as “THE
SOUND OF MUSIC”, “SOUTH PACIFIC’ and ‘THE
LONGEST DAY”.
Wally joined ACE Theatres as Relief Projectionist at the
Lakeway Drive-in Theatre Claremont in June 1964. He
remained there until June 1966 when he returned to the
city and joined Independent Film Distributors at the
Savoy Newsreel Theatrette as the Projectionist. With the
introduction of television and its daily news coverage, the
newsreel format at the theatre died out and the theatre
started showing main stream pictures.
Then in mid-1974, Wally rejoined Hoyts Theatres Perth as
Projectionist at the Paris Theatre and Cinemas 1, 2, 3 and
4. Cinema 1 opened with the installation of D150
Cinerama but sadly it was never shown to the public in
this format.
In 1975, Wally was elected Vice President of the WA State
and Federal Union (ATAEA) and, following the death of
Mr Reg Starr, he became President, serving from 1983 to
1990 . With the introduction of individual contracts in
1991 (which Wally declined), he was retrenched along
with many of his colleagues.
In 1985 Wally was appointed to the Board of the West
Australian Theatre Company by the then Minister for the
Arts, The Right Honourable Ron Davies. The Board was
charged with establishing the Company (following the
demise of the Playhouse Theatre) with an emphasis on
Australian Plays, one being “BRAN NUE DAE”, which
has now been made into a feature film.
Wally was offered employment as casual Relief
Projectionist with Greater Union Theatres in 1991 and in
August 1991 Mr Peter Thompson offered him employment
with Coastal Cinemas at the Queensgate Theatre,
Fremantle. He held the position of Projectionist where he
worked with many of his former colleagues until 1997.
Wally was then asked to take the position of Chief
Projectionist at the Essex Street Cinema, also in Fremantle.
In 1999 the Essex Street Cinema was sold to Luna
Cinemas and Wally remained as Chief Projectionist of
Luna on Essex and Camelot Garden Cinemas until his
retirement in April 2003.
Wally completed 50 years of continuous service in the
Cinema Industry and feels they were some of the best
years the industry has seen. If he had his time over again,
he would not change a thing. Wally is a worthy recipient
of the 2013 WA “Cinema Pioneer of the Year” Award.
OUR 74th
NATIONAL PRESIDENT ELECT
Mike Selwyn as been elected 74th National
President Elect for 2015, and a full profile on Mike’s
career in our Industry will appear in our next issue.
STATE PRESIDENTS
N.S.W.
WENDY PATERSON
32 Macarthur Ave., Pagewood, 2019
VIC.
keith stevens
4 Willow Crescent, Warragul, 3820
QLD.
TONY BURKE
10 Bateman Street, Geebung, 4034
S.A.
MAX BECK
4 Fiveash Drive, Pasadena 5042
W.A.
john polmear
6 Matthew Street, Falcon, 6210
TAS.
YURIK CZYZ
56 Forest Road, West Hobart, 7000
PLEASE JOIN US FOR
THE AUSTRALIAN CINEMA PIONEERS’
80TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Thursday November 14, 2013
at 6.30PM
at The Swissotel’s Blaxland Ballroom,
68 Market Street, Sydney (opposite The State Theatre)
$60.00 per head, Members and Guests
RSvP by Friday November 1 by completing the separate Reservation Form enclosed (even if you are
paying by Direct Debit – see below) and send it to ...
Bruce Leonard
9 Collins Crescent, Lapstone, 2773
brunard@optusnet.com.au
Payment options - by Cheque (payable to "Australian Cinema Pioneers"),
Money Order, or .....
by Direct Debit to:- BSB 032-014 / Account No. 130 128
Name of Account:- Australian Cinema Pioneers Consolidated Account.
Please ensure your name is recorded clearly in "Reference".
IMPORTANT CHANGES REGARDING
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION TO CINEMAS
The President and Executive Committee are pleased to advise that Greater Union, Event Cinemas, Hoyts, Village, Birch Carroll & Coyle, Reading Australia,
Wallis Cinemas (SA), Grand Cinemas (WA), and IMAX Theatres (in Sydney and Melbourne) will honour a Photo ID Pioneer Membership Card by offering complimentary admission to a Pioneer and one guest to participating cinemas on any day (including weekends), now including 3D movies and glasses.
Exceptions are as follows:- the Photo ID Pioneer Card cannot be used on Saturday evenings after 6:00PM, on Public Holidays, Premium Seating, and
Special Programmes (e.g. Special Previews and Premieres, and those programmes signifying “No Free List” Tickets).
In addition, Hoyts has advised that exceptions also extend to Hoyts La Premiere, Directors’ Suite, Bean Bag Cinema, Xtremescreen and Hoyts IMAX.
To the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, the following Independent Cinemas have also agreed to honour our Membership Card:NSW and ACT
Roseville Cinemas, Hayden Cinemas, Randwick Ritz, Manly Cinemas, United Cinemas, The Empire Theatre Complex at Bowral, The Lake Cinema at
Boolaroo (Newcastle), “The Edge” Maxvision Cinema at Katoomba, Mt. Vic Flicks at Mount Victoria, the RAAF Theatre at Richmond, The Crossing
Theatre at Narrabri, The Civic Cinema at Gunnedah, Majestic Cinemas at The Entrance, Singleton, Inverell, Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads, Nelson
Bay Cinema Complex, Roxy Cinema at South West Rocks, Narooma Kinema, The Picture Show Man Twin Cinema at Merimbula, Roxy Cinema Complex at
Nowra, Griffith City Cinemas, Wagga Forum 6 Theatre, Orange Odeon 5, Tamworth Forum 6, Dendy Cinemas Canberra City, Limelight Cinemas at
Tuggeranong (Canberra).
VIC
Carlton Nova Cinemas, Dromana Twin Drive-In, Kino Dendy Cinemas, Sun Theatre Yarraville, Melton Cinemas, Regent Cinemas Ballarat, Mornington
Cinemas, Rosebud, Sorrento and Warragul Cinemas, Axedale/Lake Eppalock Open Air Cinema, Bainsdale Cinemas, Healesville Cinema, Inverlock Cinema,
Mansfield Cinema, Maryborough Paramount Cinema, Mildura Deakin Cinema Complex, Mooroolbark Cinema, Portarlington & Tidal River Cinemas,
Hamilton and Port Fairy Cinemas, Portland Star Cinema, Sale Twin Cinemas, Swan Hill Oasis Cinema, Swanpool Cinema, Wonthaggi Cinema, Yarram Regent
Theatre, The Lunar Drive-In at Dandenong, and Palace Cinemas (comprising Northcote Westgarth Cinema, Como Cinemas South Yarra, Balwyn Cinemas
Balwyn, Dendy Cinemas Brighton, Brighton Bay Cinemas Brighton, and The George St. Kilda).
QLD
Pacific Cinemas at Loganholme, Palace Cinemas Fortitude Valley, Hawthorn, Balmoral and Southbank Cinemas, Gold Coast Arts Centre Cinema, Hervey
Bay Cinemas at Pialba, Summergarden Twin Cinemas at Bowen, Civic Theatre at Dalby, Ironbark Theatre (Cultural Centre) at Chinchilla, The World Theatre
at Charters Towers, Bribie Island Cinemas at Bribie Island, Warrina Cineplex at Townsville, and Reef HQ IMAX Dome Theatre at Townsville, Australian
Cinemas at Nerang and Croydon.
SA
Wallis City and Suburban Cinemas, The Nova and Palace Cinemas in Adelaide City, Reading Cinema Complex at West Lakes, Trak Cinema at Toorak
Gardens, Capri Theatre at Goodwood, Oatmill Cinema at Mount Gambier, Flinders Cinema at Port Lincoln.
WA
Ace Subiaco, Ace Rockingham, Ace Midland, The Cygnet at Como (Perth), Busselton Central Cinema, Busselton Drive-In Outdoor Cinema, The Astor
Mount Lawley, Grand Cinemas at Armadale, Warwick, Currambine, Bunbury, Joondalup, and Whitford Cinemas at Hillarys.
TAS
Village Cinemas at Hobart, Glenorchy, Eastlands and Launceston, The State Theatre North Hobart, C Max Cinema Complex at Devonport, and Metro
Cinemas at Burnie.
NT
C Max Cinema Complex at Palmerston (Darwin)
The Society acknowledges and appreciates the courtesy extended to its members by these exhibitors.
Members are reminded, once again, that....
(a) the Pioneers’ Photo ID Membership Card is to be used only by the member whose name and photo appears on the card, and by no one else, and
(b) the use of the Pioneers’ Photo ID Membership Card is a privilege extended to our members by cinema exhibitors - it is definitely NOT a right,
and should never be regarded as such.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The Society wishes to sincerely thank the following supporters who made donations to subsidise the cost of the 79th
Annual Dinner:Marcia Bryant, Lionel Bush, Classic 99 Pty Ltd (John Reid), Ray Edmondson, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace,
Lynda House, The Hoyts Corporation Pty Ltd, National Association of Cinema Operators – Australasia (Inc.),
Pacific Cinemas (Loganholme) Pty Ltd, Roadshow Films Pty Ltd, Sony Pictures Releasing, Eugenie Tasker,
Kevin Taylor, Gillian Thomas, Loch Townsend, 20th Century Fox Film Distributors Pty Ltd, Universal Pictures
International (Australasia) Pty Ltd, Val Morgan & Co. (Australia) Pty Ltd, Frans Vandenburg, Village Roadshow
Limited, Walt Disney & Co. (Australia) Pty Ltd, Tom Warne.
VALE - HONOURING THOSE PIONEERS
WHO WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED LEFT US DURING THE YEAR
DENIS ANDERSON, KEN BEATON, PETER BRYANT, DON CONNOLLY, BON DEACON, GEOFFREY DUNN,
NORMAN EDWARDS, DAMIEN FARRELL, COLIN FRANCIS, BERNARD GANDY, AILEEN GIBBONS, ES GIDDY,
JOHN W. GRAY, NANCY GRIFFIN, PENNE HACKFORTH-JONES, JACK HARKER, ROSS HAWTHORN,
KEN HOLTON, NEIL JUDGE, DON KENNEDY, KEN KIRKLEY, MERRILL LEWIS, WALTER LOCKIE,
PATRICIA LOVELL, RONALD LOW, KEVIN MANN, FRANK McKENZIE, BILL OSBORN, LAWRENCE POWER,
BRIAN QUIGLEY, MICHELLE SPOONER, MARGARET STONE, IAN STRAIN, RON TAYLOR, GEORGE VERLIN,
TREVOR WALTERS, CYRIL WHITE, JIM WOODS.
REPLACEMENT OF BLUE MEMBERSHIP CARDS WITH NEW
“PHOTO ID” MEMBERSHIP CARDS
In accordance with the consistent policy agreement reached between the major circuits (Greater Union, Hoyts, Village, Reading,
Palace and Wallis) regarding the use of the Pioneers’ Membership Card, effective immediately, existing blue Membership Cards
will need to be replaced with Photo ID Membership Cards for complimentary admission to cinemas.
At the date of publication, approximately 1,500 of our 2,300 members have had their old Membership Cards replaced with the
new plastic Photo ID Membership Cards.
If you have not had your old blue or orange Membership Card replaced with one of the new Photo ID Membership Card
already, you will need to have a Passport Photo taken (no other type of photo is suitable) at a local chemist or Australia Post
shop, and send it (together with your existing blue or orange Pioneers Membership Card) to the National Secretary /Treasurer
Bruce Leonard (at 9 Collins Crescent, Lapstone, 2773), and a new Photo ID Membership Card will be forwarded to you - at
no cost. (The entire cost of the new cards is being sponsored jointly by Village Cinemas, Hoyts, Greater Union, Event Cinemas
and Birch, Carroll & Coyle.)
The replacement Cards are currently taking between 6-8 weeks to process, and will be forwarded direct to members from the
card manufacturers.