Historic Bowraville Theatre revives the magic of the movies

FOR the first time in more than 50 years, the Nambucca Valley was left without a cinema following the closure of the Majestic Cinema in February this year.

Now, the historic Bowraville Theatre is helping to fill that void by bringing family friendly movie screenings back to the community.

During the school holidays, the theatre screened the fantasy adventure film ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’, with families travelling from across the Nambucca Valley to enjoy the experience.

The response exceeded expectations, with the theatre filling to almost capacity as parents, grandparents and children gathered to enjoy a traditional movie-going experience.

For many older audience members, the afternoon was about much more than simply watching a film.

One grandfather from Valla Beach said the screening brought back treasured childhood memories.

“This beautiful old theatre is exactly the type of place we would spend many hours as kids and I love it that my grandchildren get to experience what it is like to watch a movie in a traditional picture theatre,” he told News Of The Area.

The choice of film also struck a chord with audiences.

‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ celebrates the importance of imagination and play while delivering a heartwarming message about family values and the strength of human connection.

One of the volunteers who helps operate the Bowraville Theatre said those themes clearly resonated with those in attendance.

“As the credits rolled at the end of the film the audience burst into spontaneous applause which is a response you just don’t see much anymore,” she said.

The enthusiastic response has reinforced what the volunteer-run theatre already suspected: that there is a strong demand for affordable, family focused movie screenings in the Nambucca Valley.

In response, the theatre plans to significantly expand the number of films it screens each year.

Bowraville Theatre volunteer Dale Hawkins said the community would play an important role in shaping the future movie program.

“We have decided that we will significantly increase the number of movies we screen each year and would like members of the public to reach out to us on our Facebook page and let us know what type of films they would like us to show,” Mrs Hawkins told News Of The Area.

“We are also interested in talking to anyone who might have an interest in the technical side of screening films and might consider volunteering as a projectionist.”

For a region that recently lost its only cinema, the Bowraville Theatre is proving that it is much more than a historic building.

It is providing local families with a place to come together, share an experience across generations and rediscover the simple joy of watching a movie on the big screen as part of a community.

By Mick BIRTLES