Bob Carr attends Roxy restoration

Inverell Times

12 Apr, 2011

Photograph: Bob Carr, with wife Helena

BINGARA’S main street was filled with almost 400 people on Saturday night including former NSW premier Bob Carr.

They were there to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Roxy Theatre and the opening of the Roxy Café.

Restoration work started at the Roxy following a $100,000 grant from the NSW Government while Mr Carr was premier.

Senator John Williams was also there on the weekend and said Bingara is an example of how small Australian towns can develop a niche marketing plan and attract visitors from around the world.
Senator Williams officially opened the refurbished Roxy Cafe.
“The original owners from Kythera, Greece, would be delighted to see their legacy living on and the Greek community’s strong link with Bingara which has been nurtured over the years,” Senator Williams said.

“When it was first decided to restore the Roxy, no doubt there were plenty of critics of the then Bingara Shire Council for what they believed was a waste of money.

“But the council’s belief in the project, and that shown by Gwydir Shire Council, has resulted in a superb complex which is the envy of many larger towns and cities.”

The theatre has been the venue for everything from cinema, conferences and weddings to live stage shows.

The Roxy café dream started in 2008 when the former café premises was purchased and then restored at a cost of $1.213 million.
The next venture is a Roxy museum.

“I congratulate the community for now embracing this concept and positioning Bingara as a must visit town,” Senator Williams said.