Jadda Centre (former Athenaeum Theatre), Junee, NSW.
Heritage Listing.
Assessment of Significance
SHR Criteria a)
[Historical Significance] It is important in the course or pattern of NSW's cultural history because, like the very few remaining picture theatres of its era it is of historic, social and cultural significance due to "its association with past events, persons and groups who contributed or participated in an important social and cultural phenomenon of the 20th century, namely 'movie going'. The importance of such historical phase or phenomenon may be gauged. . .by its physical manifestations, including the number of theatre buildings then existing [from 1910 to 1960], the amount of employment created, the fact that 'picture going' was second only to sport as a leisure time activity, ands by its impact on popular taste of the time where concerned with fashion, design generally, language, music and behaviour" (Simpson, 1986:109).
SHR Criteria b)
[Associative Significance] The building has an association with Sir Nicholas Laurantus, Greek immigrant, businessperson and philanthropist, for this and other cinemas in the Riverina Region of NSW. The theatre generally exhibits the early 20th century efforts of Greek immigrants (with George Laurantus) to integrate into and supply entertainment facilities for the Anglo-Celtic population. The building has an association with Gladys Moncrief, OBE, who was the most famous soprano in Australia since the retirement of Florence Austral, for the period of the 1930s to the end of the 1940s. The building symbolises those lost country theatres, in NSW, in which Moncrief appeared in major Sydney-produced productions on tour. At a local level it has an association with the present Heffernan family through the grandfather (Ben Cummins) and great-grandfather of Senator Heffernan, for their involvement in cinema at both the Lyceum and Athenium Theatres.
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic Significance] The theatre building stands out and is recognisable as a theatre. This visually important element used to be a feature of many towns but the list of picture theatres in NSW towns at 1951 demonstrates that it is now rare. That is, it possesses landmark quality. The layering of the vine and trellis decoration uniquely exhibits the influence of the management of a Greek immigrant, providing a flavour of the "peasant" population of the island of Kythera that existed at the turn of the 19th into the 20th century. In 1929, the architects were developing towards a Functional architecture, away from the revivalist styles of the twenties and former decades. It was in the mould of that development in Sweden, but whereas Sweden continued on the road to Modernism, Australia, like USA, temporarily deviated into the style that would later be known as 'Art Deco'. It demonstrated what was a forward thinking process by these architects. The use of structure and construction, through simple carpentry, to provide a decorative ceiling (not now visible) also fits this assessment of Functionalism used by Kaberry and Chard.
SHR Criteria d)
[Social Significance] From entertainment tax receipts, cinema attendance was greater than all other paid-for activities - sport, racing, concerts, dancing, live theatre etc, combined. The Athenium Theatre (now Jadda Centre) possesses social significance for Junee being one of the very few, and first towns in NSW where the population came together as early as 1976/7, to buy the town's theatre for community use. Total funds were raised for purchase and rehabilitation (at that time) from the local population, through the organised community group, the Junee and District Development Association which generously vested ownership in the Local council(s). The building provides great social significance in an historical sense to the town. Commissioner Simpson, in his Inquiry into the Regent Theatre, Sydney (1986) reported: "It is of historic, social and cultural significance because of its association with past events, persons and groups who contributed or participated in an important social and cultural phenomenon of the 20th century, namely 'movie going'. (Simpson, 1986:109). It also has social significance for its other role as virtual town hall - the social centre of the town. Collectively in Junee, the pubs (and former hotels), the three quarter century old shops and the Broadway Stores, the theatre, the railway station, the banks, the post office, the engine roundhouse, the former printery, the mansion on the hill (Monte Christo), the former flour mill, all provide a social history of a town that is unique in New South Wales.
SHR Criteria f)
[Rarity] For this assessment a table of all country theatres in NSW was revised to omit areas now incorporated into Sydney or Newcastle where comparison of Census data becomes impossible. The year 1951 was taken as being a high attendance time before television, and without new post-War World II theatres being built or old ones being closed down. There were 351 cinema venues in 289 towns in NSW (excluding Sydney and Newcastle). A column was added to the list showing present 2003 status. Less than 10 per cent "exist" as spaces recognisable as original theatres (that is, only 31). Only 11 of those exist with some form of obviously decorative interior and theatrical exterior. The Junee theatre is one of those eleven or one of only 3.1 per cent of the body of country cinemas that existed in 1951, comprising picture theatres built in the heyday of the silent and sound movies. Of the 57 theatre commissions identified for the work of the major theatre architectural firm of Kabbery and Chard in NSW, only three remain without being demolished, or considerably adapted. Those three are in Junee, Tumut and Leeton. Junee and Leeton possess the side-of-stage splayed false decorative walls, used as a feature by these architects. Only Tumut has an original proscenium. All three should be listed. The picture theatre/social centre for the town is a rare example that "provides evidence of a [virtually] defunct custom, way of life" (Assessing Heritage Significance, p.22). The Junee theatre is rare across the total number of towns in NSW (excluding Sydney and Newcastle). It provides accurate evidence of a significant human activity. Combined. It shows evidence of a rare significant human activity important to a community.
SHR Criteria g)
[Representitivenes] With its wide frontage and substantial, imposing, but modest façade, the Junee theatre is a superior building to most constructed at the time in towns of up to four thousand people, and which, in 2003, have either been altered for other uses or demolished. In relation to the large body of theatre work of the architects, Kaberry and Chard, it is very typical, or in other words, an excellent example – as good as these architects designed for larger towns. The integrity of the item has only been compromised by superficial alterations (such as change of windows and removal of light fixtures on the façade;; replacing side wooden shutters with windows; changing the original proscenium for a wider ‘plain’ stage opening; and relining the ceiling). The principal parts of the building are intact, thus retaining its original theatrical aura. Conclusions on Heritage Significance The Jadda Centre building is likely to be of State significance. It meets six criteria for listing on the SHR.
Integrity/Intactness: The integrity of the item has only been compromised by superficial alterations (such as change of windows and removal of light fixtures on the faade;; replacing side wooden shutters with windows; changing the original proscenium for a wider 'plain' stage opening; and relining the ceiling). The principal parts of the building are intact, thus retaining its original theatrical aura.
Assessment Criteria Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.
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Procedures /Exemptions
Section of Act Description Title Comments Action Date
57(2) Exemption to allow work Standard Exemptions I, the Minister for Planning, pursuant to section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977 on recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales grant standard exemptions from section 57(1) of the Heritage Act, 1977 described in the schedule gazetted on 7 March 2003, Gaz No. 59 pages 4066-4070. (As amended on 18 June 2004 and July 2005 and incorporating guidelines as adopted in April 2004)
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Listings
Heritage Listing Listing Title Listing Number Gazette Date Gazette Number Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 01687 09 Jan 04 8 147
Heritage Act - Interim Heritage Order - Revoked 00077 26 May 03 91 -
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References, Internet links & Images
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_02_2.cfm?itemid=5053909
