Greek Australians in Melbourne used to flock to smaller suburban theatres for screenings of popular Greek films, and they may be able to again after an announcement for a major upgrade for a theatre in Melbourne’s southeast.
They were telling me how much the missed, and how much they used to love the Greek language films that they used to have on, so this is certainly something that council will be considering.
As the state election draws closer, the Victorian government announced a $400 000 contribution to the redevelopment of Parkdale’s Shirley Burke Theatre, matching the $560 000 input from the local council.
City of Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the idea for using the theatre to screen foreign films came from a meeting this week with the Greek community at the Orthodox Church in Clayton.
“They were telling me how much the missed, and how much they used to love the Greek language films that they used to have on, so this is certainly something that council will be considering,” he said.
“There’s definitely that potential.”
He said the local theatre, first opened in 1928, was “really quite a popular venue.”
“We’re hoping that because it’s right in the heart of the city of Kingston, it will bring it up to such a standard that it will open it up for further community groups,” he told Neos Kosmos.
The contribution is part of the Victorian government’s $6.6 million Arts in the Suburbs program.
Arts Minister Peter Batchelor said local community theatres were essential to Victoria’s flourishing arts scene.
“Arts in the Suburbs recognises the importance of facilities like this theatre to the cultural life of the local community, and enables us to work with local councils to ensure the best possible outcome for residents,” he said.