Bill Kouvousis at the 75th Anniversary Ball, Roxy
Bingara, northwestern New South Wales
In 1958, Bill Kouvousis documented the community of Bingara banding together to rebuild the home of a family lost by fire on the eve of Christmas. The remarkable film he produced, The Christmas Spirit, offers an extraordinary insight into life in a rural town and uniquely captures the spirit of Australians “old and new.”
This film was screened on the weekend of the 9th and 10th April 2011.
This was one of a number of events organised to compliment the 75th Anniversary Ball.
See below, the -
Programme for the 75th Anniversary celebrations for the Roxy
Download a .pdf version of the Programme here:
Roxy_75th_anniversary_9+10_April_2011S.pdf
See links to other information, press cuttings & photographs about the 75th Anniversary celebrations at the end of this entry
THE ROXY – 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
CELEBRATE THE REBIRTH OF AN ICON
9TH + 10TH APRIL 2011
EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
PETER’S & CO CAFÉ &
THE MUSEUM OF GREEK IMMIGRATION
IN RURAL NSW AND QUEENSLAND
FILM SCREENINGS
PRESENTATIONS
HISTORIC TOURS
GALA BALL
HISTORIC TOURS OF ROXY
9TH & 10TH APRIL
A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at The Roxy as a symbol that epitomizes the Greek migration experience. The tour includes a visual presentation that examines the important role played by the cinemas and cafés established by Greek immigrants and the outstanding contribution they made to the development of Australia.
FILM SCREENINGS
9TH & 10TH APRIL
The glitter and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age will come to life in Bingara with a weekend of screenings that celebrate the history of The Roxy while setting it firmly in the context of the town of Bingara, northern NSW.
Come and be swept away by a selection of classic footage and unexpected delights that will take you back in time and light up the silver screen.
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF PETER’S & CO CAFÉ & THE MUSEUM OF GREEK IMMIGRATION IN RURAL NSW AND QUEENSLAND
6PM
SAT 9TH APRIL
The official launch of the fully restored art deco Peter’s & Co Café and preview of the site of the new museum.
GALA BALL
7:30PM
SAT 9TH APRIL
Bringing the glitz and glamour of the 1930s back to Bingara, the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball will be an evening of feasting and festivity. Commencing with a Greek banquet accompanied by a performance of traditional Greek music, guests will be invited to dance the night away to the hypnotic Hellenic rhythms of one of the best Greek bands performing in Australia today. No Greek celebration would be complete without the time-honoured custom of the smashing of plates and the Gala Ball will be no exception. This event will be Black Tie.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - SATURDAY 9TH APRIL
FILM SCREENINGS
The Roxy and Other Souvenirs
John Wood is one of Australia’s most recognised and well-loved actors, best known for his role in Blue Heelers. Approached by Foxtel Television to appear in a series entitled As Australian As, the actor chose to feature the story of The Roxy and discuss the unique relationship he shares with the venue.
The Christmas Spirit
In 1958, Bill Kouvousis documented the community of Bingara banding together to rebuild the home of a family lost by fire on the eve of Christmas. This remarkable film offers an extraordinary insight into life in a rural town and uniquely captures the spirit of Australians “old and new.”
Roberta
The first film ever screened at The Roxy at the official opening in March 1936. Starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Irene Dunn and Randolph Scott, Roberta features a lively romantic plot, fabulous sets (the three-level salon set required the world’s largest camera crane), memorable music (including Smoke Gets in Your Eyes) and above all, incomparable dance magic to match the score. “The most pleasant moments in Roberta” Time reported, “arrive when Astaire and Rogers turn the story upside down and dance on it.”
HISTORIC TOURS
A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at history of The Roxy
LAUNCH OF PETER’S & CO CAFÉ & THE MUSEUM OF GREEK IMMIGRATION IN RURAL NSW & QLD
6PM
The official launch of the fully restored Café and preview of site of the new museum
GREEK GALA BALL
7:30PM
Dance the night away with an unforgettable evening of Greek feasting and festivity
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - SUNDAY 10TH APRIL
BREAKFAST AT PETER’S CAFÉ
Enjoy breakfast at the Café from 8:30am. Bookings for breakfast are essential
HISTORIC TOURS
A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at The Roxy
FILM SCREENINGS
Cartoons and footage from 1936, Roberta, The Roxy and Other Souvenirs
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation by historian Peter McCarthy: The origins of the name style of Peters Cafes with the establishment of Oyster Saloons and Cafes in the New England and North West of NSW. This encompasses the establishment of The Sydney Oyster Saloon and S. Peter & Co at Inverell in 1899 by Peter Phacheas (Fatseas) to the Peters Cafe at the Roxy Theatre Bingara. Also included the association of Peters Ice Cream with Greek Cafes.
Peter McCarthy to be presented with a copy of the Heritage Australia award-winning book, Life in Australia, by a Trustee of the Kytherian World Heritage Fund, for outstanding research efforts.
Drawing of the Raffle Prizes, and finalising of the Silent Auction prizes.
TICKETS
75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA BALL
$55
(includes meal – alcohol is available to purchase)
HISTORIC TOUR OF THE ROXY
$10
FILM SCREENINGS + PRESENTATIONS
$10
BREAKFAST AT PETER’S & CO CAFÉ
SUN 10TH APRIL
$15 (includes set menu – bookings essential)
TICKETS & EVENT BOOKINGS
Bookings for all events for the Celebrations are available through
Bingara Tourist Information Centre
Jenny Mead
Tourist Officer, Bingara
Gwydir Shire Council
Locked Bag 5
BINGARA 2404
NSW
AUSTRALIA
T: 02 67240066
E: Bingara Tourism & Information
INFORMATION
For all 75th Anniversary Celebration enquiries please
e-mail: ROXY
or contact:
Sandy McNaughton
Manager
The Roxy
Gwydir Shire Council
Locked Bag 5
BINGARA NSW 2404
T: (02) 67 242 066
F: (02) 67 241 771
M: 0427 241 582
E: ROXY
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is available in the town of Bingara, as well as the neighbouring towns of Warialda, Barraba and Inverell. For enquiries regarding accommodation, please contact the
Bingara Tourist Information Centre
Jenny Mead
Tourist Officer, Bingara
Gwydir Shire Council
Locked Bag 5
BINGARA 2404
NSW
AUSTRALIA
T: 02 67240066
E: Bingara Tourism & Information
HOW TO GET THERE
Bingara is located approximately 600kms north of Sydney and 500kms south of Brisbane in the New England Tablelands. It is central in the New England North West region, between the major towns of Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell, Moree and Narrabri.
75th ANNIVERSARY ORGANISATION
The 75th Anniversary Celebration has been organised by an inspired group of friends and volunteers of The Roxy working in conjunction with the Gwydir Shire Council.
LEADING INTO THE EVENT
Media Release Roxy's 75th Anniversary
Neos Kosmos article on Katsehamos and the Great Idea
A Night at the ROXY. Neos Kosmos
Nicholas Anthony Aroney Trust donates $25,000 to Roxy Museum
Roxy turns 75. The Senior News
Bingara_Advocate_March_23_04_2011.pdf
REPORTING THE EVENT
Happy 75th Birthday ROXY. Bingara Advocate
Αυστραλία: Γιόρτασαν όλοι μαζί την προσφορά των Ελλήνων
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EVENT
WEBLINKS
Roxy Theatre, Gwydir Shire
http://www.gwydirshire.com/roxy.html
Roxy Theatre
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=2177&pageflip=24
Roxy Café
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=17330&pageflip=1
Roxy Museum
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=17535&pageflip=1
Katsehamos and the Great Idea:
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=6-82&cid=123&did=9989&pageflip=3
Restoration of Kytherian and Hellenic Sacred sites
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=17857&pageflip=3
Buffer Map of the distances from Bingara to major cities of Kytherian and Hellenic population
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=5-56&cid=20&did=18529&pageflip=1
Download a .pdf version of the buffer map here:
/download/BingaraBufferDistance 20110208.pdf
