Museum final jewel in Roxy’s crown
Northwest Magazine, November 28, 2011, Vol. 39, No. 18, pages 1 & 2
Download a .pdf version of this article here:
ROXY_G28NWM_1&2.pdf
The final chapter in the restoration of Bingara’s iconic Roxy Theatre and Café precinct will soon be realised. NSW Arts capital funding of $94,500 will enable Gwydir Council and community support groups to add the final touch to the restoration with the addition of an upstairs museum commemorating Australian
Greek café culture.
In announcing the funding, Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, said the Roxy restoration was one of the finest staged developments in the region. “Sandy McNaughton, the Gwydir Council and community supporters have done a magnificent job of restoring the original Roxy theatre and the adjoining Greek café,” Mr Torbay said.
“This $94,500 grant means plans for the upstairs museum commemorating Australian Greek café culture, particularly in our region, can go ahead. “This has been an ambitious and successful project and it’s great to see it all coming together like this.”
Mr Torbay said the Museum would house memorabilia donated by the Fardouli family in Inverell and other families connected to the Greek cafés which were a feature of almost every country town last century.
Strong support from the Kytherian and Greek communities and good relationships with other museums would also result in other items to display and special exhibitions.
Roxy Manager, Sandy McNaughton said the Museum would become a place of national and international significance that collects, conserves and protects the important cultural associations between people and place.
“It will pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of the Greek café and cinema operators to ensure the impact they made on the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of people is not forgotten,” Ms McNaughton said.
Currently art deco glass designed from the original is being installed in the Roxy café which is expected to be operating early next year.
The original glass which was too fragile to be installed has received special backing and will be on display in the new museum.
The New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale (NERAM) also benefitted under the NSW Arts capital funding getting $31,500 to enable an upgrade of its air conditioning. The upgrade is essential for the preservation of the museum’s nationally significant collections. Mr Torbay said both were major projects to improve arts infrastructure in the region.
Cr John Coulton, Gwydir Shire’s Mayor, welcomed the recent announcement by Minister Souris of the grant.
“The $94,500 will allow council to commence its vision for the facility to become a museum of Greek settlement in country Australia with a focus on New South Wales and Queensland,” Cr Coulton said.
Cr Coulton noted that the development of the museum will allow education to be positioned at the heart of The Roxy Museum’s core activities. The activities offered will be related to the collection and the broader objectives of the museum. A consultative process with the Department of Education and the NSW Board of Studies will be undertaken to ensure the educational programs are strategically focused.
Professional input and expertise will be sought to deliver programs that meet the learning objectives of the participants. He commented that the “educational programs delivered by the Roxy Museum will include lectures, workshops, seminars, special events and interactive displays".
“Teacher’s kits related to school curricula and worksheets will be designed to ensure that participation in an educational program provides a rewarding and enriching experience,” Cr Coulton added.
“Without doubt the Roxy Museum will become a place of national significance that conserves and protects the important cultural contribution that has made by the immigrant Greek community, especially those of Kytherian heritage,” he concluded.
