BETTY KELLY – 2025 VICTORIAN CINEMA PIONEERS OF THE YEAR
For decades, anyone involved in Melbourne’s weekly film and theatre supplies pick-up & delivery run would have known Betty Kelly. Likewise, customers of a variety of theatre supply companies.
Betty began her cinematic career when Ron Lorimer hired her to work at Greater Union Theatre Supplies (sometimes irreverently referred to by those in the trade as GUTS… the company that is, not Betty). The office was located in the now heritage listed building at 103-105 Hoddle Street, Richmond, Victoria, then known as “The Film Centre”. Other tenants of the property were Greater Union Film Distributers, British Empire Films, Fox-Columbia, Fox 16mm Distribution and Greg Lynch Film Productions. A procession of the “Who’s Who” of the Melbourne cinema industry, was always passing through the doors. There was Betty in the midst of it all.
Betty says, “We sold goods such as carbon rods, admittance tickets and Cinema Projectors.” In later years the company branched out into Stage Lighting Sales & Hire along with Disco supplies.
She felt lucky to work with the talented technicians, Ron Lorimer, Bob Lucas, Ian Hollander and Rolf Grieve. Later the team was joined by Tony Rochford as manager.
In 1989, Greater Union Village Technology (G.U.V.T.) was formed as a joint venture between Greater Union Theatre Supplies with Village Roadshow. Betty transferred across to the new entity in Hawthorn. There she worked alongside Kevin Warry, Rod Hailey and Vincent Parisella. Some time after the merger, there was a restructure at G.U.V.T., and Betty was let go.
This seemed like the end of the road for her in the industry, but out of the blue she received a call from Kevin Warry, inviting her to join Infa Set, at that time owned by Ken Hill. Her duties were similar to those at G.U.V.T., but with greater responsibility. It was there that she crossed paths with Mike Densley who was assisting with some cinema automation projects.
Mike speaks fondly of his time working with Betty. She was always smiling, efficient, and ready to help out.
Eventually Infa Set was sold to Mike Smith, and she found herself working out of the Sun Theatre in Yarraville where hard working girls made the heavy felt curtains for the Cinemas. After some time the Company was sold to Specialty Theatre Supplies where she worked with Brian Ross as manager. It was from there she retired after a long and happy time as part of the Cinema Industry.
Always diligent and friendly, Betty won the hearts of all with whom she crossed paths.
Even though Betty is now retired, she still attends Cinema Pioneers functions and catches up with those she worked with over many decades in our industry. We congratulate Betty Kelly on her time in the industry and award her the Victorian Cinema Pioneer of the Year for 2025.
