October 10th, 2024Daylesford cinema rises from the ashes

A cinema is back on the cards for The Rex building in Daylesford – to be  aptly named Phoenix @The Rex.  

Daylesford Cinema Group president Jules McDonald said the group had  lobbied the owners of The Rex, the Comelli and Bromley partnership, along with  several commercial cinema operators including the Barton Brothers, Palace and Sun  Theatres.

 “Whilst these groups were open to the exploration, all parties decided that a  commercial development would not be viable given the population of the area even  including tourism figures in the mix.

“Negotiations commenced between the group and the owners of The Rex and an  agreement was achieved within our budget and projections. The group will lease the  upstairs area housing the cinema shell and the balcony area which will be used for  ticketing and a café/bar.  

“The owners will complete the building of the cinema shell previously built by  the council, the balcony area and the toilets. The group will be responsible for fit-out  including raked seating for approximately 70 patrons.”  

Ms McDonald said there were plans to promote the cinema to both local and  tourist populations and cater to the diversity of cultures, ages, and interests of these  groups.  

“The community-run aspect of operations will provide great opportunity for  volunteer activity which has been valued in the past for its contribution to relieving  isolation and providing purpose and interest for many residents.  

“The cinema will provide a variety of film genres as well as film festivals,  musical events, stand-up comedy and small theatrical productions. It will liaise with  programmers of our many festivals to ensure appropriate linkages and activities are  included.  

“We will promote our own film festivals showcasing for example, local film  makers and creative young people. When not being used for entertainment purposes  the space will be available for hire as a venue for presentations of various sorts.”  

But Ms McDonald said the $150,000 previously raised by the community  together with the volunteer efforts had been lost through Hepburn Shire Council  “mismanagement and decision making” and donations and in-kind support were  vital.

 “We have applied for a Victorian Tourism Infrastructure grant and will pursue  other grants. However, we will need your support in cash, in kind and cinema  membership and later, we will be calling for volunteers to help run the cinema.

If you  have skills of any kind that would help in completing the build, fit-out of the cinema,  bar/café and ticketing area and/or the ongoing running of the cinema, please contact  the Daylesford Cinema Group.

“There will soon be a Call to Action to kick start the Community Fundraising  Campaign, so please consider digging deep to help ‘Phoenix The Rex’ rise from the  ashes and spread its wings over Daylesford.”

History  

The Daylesford Cinema was first housed in The Rex Arcade, a private shopping  mall, but was left without a home after The Rex was bought by the council in 2016.  

The council intended to use the venue, after much public consultation, as a  community hub to include a new library, customer service centre, public toilets and  staff accommodation.  

That all fell through after a massive budget blow-out and planning débâcles, and  the building was sold in 2022.  For some time after 2016, the cinema ran out of the community rooms at  Victoria Park in Daylesford and in the Daylesford Town Hall, but neither offered a viable alternative.

Frustrated committee members and volunteers had been hopeful they would be  back in the building by the middle of 2021.  

Former cinema president Gina Lyons, pictured above, told The Local in mid 2021  there had been so many twists and turns with The Rex project since it was bought by  council in 2016.

“December/January was always a very busy time for us and we really hoped that  we would be in the new cinema this Christmas (2020) so that we could offer the  latest movies to our community and the visitors in town, as well as replenish our  coffers, which have been seriously impacted over the last four years.  

“How do we feel? Frustrated. Bitterly disappointed. Gobsmacked.”  

The Rex was originally built as a theatre in the 1920s and has had many iterations  including being a large budget variety shop.  

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Donna Kelly & Kyle Barnes