Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 5 | Not the Last Picture Show | Stories of the Silver Screen in the Golden City

The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute’s Minerva Space has borne witness to the journey of cinema, from hosting the Ballarat debut of the cinematograph in 1896, to the arrival of the ‘talkies’ in 1930, to the dramatic dip in audiences in the late 1950’s after the arrival of television and popularity of the drive-in, to the waning of the drive-in and the rise of the multiplex – leading to the demise of the single screen cinema. 

Two figures have played a key role in the latter part of this journey and the cinema industry in Ballarat. John Bourke started working in cinema as a ‘car hop’ at the Village Northern Drive-In, formerly Hoyts’ Skyline. He worked as an Assistant Projectionist at the drive-in while completing his studies, landing a role as Manager – Projectionist at the newly refurbished Regent Cinema in 1977, ultimately holding the position for 28 years. Jack Anderson was responsible for the Regent revival and also reviving the hall at the Mechanics’ into the Vegas 70. 

Chris Jones started working with John in ‘94  as an usher at The Regent, the same year the Mechanics’ Hall had once again been resurrected as a cinema, this time called ‘The Sturt’. Chris worked at the Sturt and Regent, ultimately working in senior positions for Village and Hoyts Joint Venture companies, and as the National Operations Manager for Reading Cinemas before co-founding Twilight Cinemas (2008) and Showbiz Cinemas (2013). Chris opened the third Showbiz cinema location in Ballarat in 2017 at the brand-new Delacombe Town Centre catering to the burgeoning growth area that has exploded in the southwestern part of Ballarat.

Between the two they have a wealth of knowledge and stories to share and reflect on, from dramatically unfurling a reel of film down the stairs of the Mechanics’, to the wild characters sneaking into the drive-ins in the boots of cars, and the Hollywood stars who graced the town.