History page: New life for cinema, theatre, performing arts in Gunnedah with opening of The Civic

All the controversy over construction of The Civic cinema-theatre project was put in the shade, on Saturday, April 3, 2001, when Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson officially opened the $2 million facility.

The Civic, which perpetuates the name of the hard-top cinema which operated in Gunnedah between 1936 and 1972, provides a 134-seat venue for cinema, theatre and the performing arts with state-of-the- art lighting and sound.

With the advent of television in Australia, picture theatres started closing down all over the country, with the original Civic Theatre in Conadilly Street bulldozed in 1973 to make way for a modern new supermarket (now the site of Aldi). It had served the community well from its construction in 1936 and was a popular form of entertainment along with the open-air Garden Theatre in Marquis Street.

So, the decision to build a new theatre in the late 1990s was met with criticism from some sections of the community. Plans to create a multi-purpose building, however, ensured the success of The Civic.

A grant of $1,625,000 from the Federal Government was supported by a contribution of $250,000 by Gunnedah Shire Council and a grant of $75,000 from the NSW Ministry for the Arts.

The Civic was the first stage of a master plan for Gunnedah’s cultural precinct to eventually include the refurbishment of the Town Hall, construction of shops and offices and development of a sculpture court and restaurant, all provisionally estimated to cost $4.4 million.

The long-awaited opening was the culmination of almost two years’ of consultation and debate in council and in the community and the selection of The Civic as the preferred option over refurbishment of the Town Hall.

The project was placed under the wing of the Gunnedah Performing Arts and Cultural Centre Committee, headed by Owen Hasler, which developed the concept and layout though consultation with architects Group GSA Ltd and local user groups.

The Civic was built by local contractors Lightfoot Building with 90 per cent of the tradesmen and technical specialists coming from Gunnedah and the North West.

The opening was a great day in Gunnedah’s history, with the building winning praise on all sides for its design and comfort.

Mr Anderson described The Civic as a facility that would be the envy of much larger regional cities and was an important addition to the quality of life of residents.

The opening day program started with a Centenary of Federation breakfast in the Creative Arts Centre, the official opening and the launching at midday of the 2001 Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Poetry Competition, the largest of its kind in the world.

An opening week-long film festival started with the screening of the movie, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and an evening stage presentation, which included a segment entitled Reflections of Gunnedah, as well as musical performances.

The opening of the building began with an indigenous welcome by Sally Knight.

Mayor Gae Swain said the project had been a “tremendous boost” for the whole district, which had taken a buffeting from a series of

setbacks, including the November 2000

flood.

Although the project had been criticised in some quarters, she believed the final product was one in which Gunnedah residents could feel great pride.

Cr Swain praised the Federal and NSW Governments, the local committee, user groups, including The Two Rivers Arts Council, architects and builders and council staff, who had all played a part in developing a state-of-the-art facility rarely seen outside the major cities.

John Anderson said the new centre would combine Gunnedah’s heritage, represented by the Town Hall, with an innovative and fresh building design.

“It is a magnificent facility and it will become a new focus for artistic and community groups, and it will restore the cinema to Gunnedah for the enjoyment of local people after a long lapse.”

Twenty-four years on from the launch of the multi-purpose facility, the venue has been the site of many happy occasions, along with official meetings, conventions and seminars, Eisteddfod performances and some wonderful stage productions and movies.

The foresight of civic leaders and members of the community more than two decades ago has been justified and The Civic continues to thrive with the adjacent Creative Arts Centre, enhancing the cultural precinct.