Here we are pleased to present TWO heartfelt speeches on the night of the last Annual Dinner, celebrating the awarding of the Australian Pioneer of the Year for 2017 by Murray Forrest to Zareh Nalbandian. Click on the LINKS to enjoy the TWO video clips that were filmed on the night. In Sydney,…
DetailsA special message of congratulations to Zareh Nalbandian from the NSW/ACT Branch on being honoured as the Australian Cinema Pioneer of the Year for 2017. A truly worthy recipient and a great representative of our Industry. (Written by John Rochester)
DetailsThe Committee and Members of the NSW/ACT Branch congratulate Tim Read and Sandra Alexander on hosting a most enjoyable and very memorable evening to mark the 84th Anniversary Dinner for the Australian Cinema Pioneers. The event was well attended and the opportunity to catch up with old friends was appreciated by all. Thank you Tim…
DetailsNEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH REPORT FOR 2017 ANNUAL NEWSLETTER by John Rochester Since taking over as President of the New South Wales Branch in May 2015 the Branch Committee has been reviewing the needs of Members and seeking ways in which to improve the services to Members. The New South Wales Branch also encompasses the…
DetailsI’m sad to inform you that well known former Hoyts projectionist Brian Scott passed away Saturday morning. Brian commenced at Hoyts Padua Theatre in Brunswick in 1949 as a page boy, he was later given the opportunity to transfer to the bio box and commenced his training as an assistant projectionist. After becoming proficient he…
DetailsIt was October 21, 1952 and Barefoot Contessa staring Ava Gardner and James Mason played in black and white at Theatre 62 on Ronald Road. A 17-year-old June finished her chores and walked five streets to be met by a six foot two usher in a navy blue suit at the doorway of the theatre.…
DetailsDear Cinema Pioneers, Sadly Village veteran and long time Cinema Pioneer Frank Westaway passed away late last week. After many years working for the ABC, Frank commenced doing projection shifts for Village drive-ins and suburban twin cinemas. He spent some time at Boronia Twin and also worked at Frankston Twin, Knox Twin and Clayton and Croydon drive-ins…
DetailsDear Cinema Pioneers, I’ve been informed that Hoyts veteran Ray Hasse passed away last Thursday. Ray commenced in the cinema industry with Watermans Theatres who were based in Adelaide. He later transferred to Melbourne as Concessions Manager for Hoyts when they purchased the Watermans operations. Ray and his wife Joan moved back to Adelaide when Ray retired. …
DetailsRay and Irene Erenshaw in 2016. Ray Erenshaw began his 36-year cinema career in 1937 as an 8 year old in his mother’s Strand Theatre in rural Ashford (NSW). Changing day-bills, collecting tickets, ushering, rewinding films and getting them back into their cans, his wages were pocket money to buy lollies from his mothers Strand…
DetailsWelcome! This is an exciting moment in the 84 year history of the Pioneers. We have a completely redesigned website and we have linked Facebook pages in each State. Communication between us all can now be much easier and faster. In launching the redesigned website, I am using the opportunity to bring members up to…
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