April 1st 2006 - Bingara Roxy Theatre - 70th Anniversary celebrations

************Roxy Theatre Bingara 70th Anniversary Festival************

* Unveiling and dedication of plaque and photo display commemorating the Roxy Theatre Founders*

*Bingara Launch of Peter Prineas' book : ‘Katsehamos and the Great Idea’ *

* Movie Ball - dress in the fashion of the 1930's*

[Note: bookings are required for the Movie Ball. Further information below]

* Bingara northern NSW (near Inverell), Saturday April 1st, from 6.30pm *

Flyer_-_Roxy_70th_Anniversary.pdf


The magnificent art deco Cinema at Bingara in north western New South Wales was established by three Greeks from the island of Kythera.

- Peter John Feros, Katsehamos, (Mitata);
- George Ernest (Proto)Psaltis, Katsavias, (Frilingianika); and
- Emanuel Theodoropoulos Aronis, aka Emanuel Aroney, (Aroniadika)

They operated under the business name Peters & Co., as did many other Kytherian Greek cafe-owners whose businesses were not necessarily connected. Old Peters & Co. signs can still be seen on some shop fronts in NSW country towns.

The Roxy Theatre opened on Saturday evening 28 March, 1936. It closed its doors in the late 1950's, and lay silent and empty for forty years. Now, with the help of the NSW Government, the Roxy at Bingara has been restored to its former glory and serves as a regional centre for the performing arts operated by Gwydir Shire Council. The cinema now resembles a "picture palace" or a "Parthenon Down Under" to use Kevin Cork's description.

Street front exterior, Roxy, Bingara

Interior, looking towards the front stage, Roxy, Bingara

Magnificent interior Art Deco panel, Roxy, Bingara

To celebrate 70 years since the opening of this "Kytherian" country cinema, Gwydir Shire Council is holding a Festival which will culminate with the Roxy "Movie Ball" - Saturday April 1st, 2006 - from 6:30pm. Guests are encouraged to dress in the fashion of the 1930's.

From 7pm there will be an unveiling and dedication of a plaque and photo display commemorating the three Kytherian founders of the Roxy Theatre.

Peter Prineas' book will then be launched by Associate Professor Janis Wilton of the University of New England.

'Katsehamos and the Great Idea:
a true story of Greeks and Australians in the early twentieth century'
248pp, paperback, bibliography, notes, index.

'Katsehamos and the Great Idea' is about the lives and struggles of Kytherian immigrants to Australia in the early twentieth century, including the fascinating Roxy Theatre story.

Peter's book explores this turbulent era in Greek and Australian history through the experiences of his grandfather Peter Feros and his contemporaries.

The production costs of 'Katsehamos and the Great Idea' are being funded by a grant from the Nicholas Aroney Trust.

'"Katsehamos" is a broad sweep of history, sensitively and clearly presented.
Interwoven and skilfully related to the times are the lives and aspirations of immigrants from the Greek island of Kythera. A persistent thread is the pursuit of the ‘Great Idea’, be it national grandeur or business empire. It is a well-crafted narrative told with deep insight and underlying passion. I enjoyed reading this book.'

- Manuel James Aroney, AM, OBE, University of Sydney.


All are welcome to come to Bingara and join in the celebration.

Maps indicating how to get to Bingara

Roll up, roll up, roll up.

For tickets to the Movie Ball and accommodation inquiries
contact Jenny Mead, Bingara Tourist Information Centre,
Locked Bag 5, Bingara NSW 2404;
Ph: 02 67240066;
Local call number 1300 659 919;
Fax: 02 67241726;
Email: [email protected];

If you need assistance to travel to Bingara - please contact George Poulos on 93888320.
Email George here

Forward orders for the book can be placed here


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