Liberty Theatre Friends – David Campbell, Bimbi Turner and Ian Wearing want to see the art deco cinema in community hands, restored and operational.
Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Culture Centre hosted a public meeting at the iconic Liberty Theatre on Saturday, November 27 to discuss their grant proposal for restoring and refurbishing the building and their plans for a trust to buy the property.
Committee member Bimbi Turner said the not-for-profit will apply for a $2 million grant for the restoration and upgrading of the Liberty Theatre.
“This is early days, but we know the importance of saving the Liberty and the National Trust in New South Wales has already classified the theatre as a building of national significance,” Bimbi said.
“We’ve had many encouraging letters from many individuals and agencies, including the Yass Valley Council supporting our endeavours.”
Bimbi said the group doesn’t plan to remove any original features or make large structural changes other than what is necessary to make it usable.
The building needs repairs along the southern wall in Lead Street and the shop in the foyer will be removed and reverted to how it presented in 1939. The area behind the foyer will be kept vacant but upgraded for art exhibitions, film and theatre premieres and other public events.
The upstairs gallery will be revamped and possibly made into two small cinemas with repaired seating.
“The theatre has great acoustics for film, music and drama productions on the current stage despite the need for a rebuild,” Bimbi said. “It’s structurally sound inside and out and still retains most of the Art Deco features.”
The roof sheeting needs replacing and the asbestos wall sheeting on the western end of the theatre safely moved and disposed of. Purpose built dressing and storage rooms will be included in that area.
“Restoration works and operations will be done with the utmost respect to the unique qualities of this wonderful building using heritage advisors.”
“The grant would ensure that the Yass and wider regional community retains this unique infrastructure asset as a fully working theatre and culture centre,” she said. “The letters of support that we’ve received are testimony to the broad support this project has from within the Yass Valley and the wider arts.”
Bimbi said they see the Liberty being hired for live theatre and cinema with drop down screens and digital projectors.
They also envisage poetry reading, musical societies and recitals, performances by traveling artists, fashion shows, food tastings, product and book launches, and staging of school productions.
“It is also intended to provide sound, film, video and stage production experience for the youth of the district in pursuit of possible employment in these fields,” she said.
“Our next step is to now to form a philanthropic campaign to purchase the theatre for the community to be run by a trust.”
If you wish to donate or join the Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Culture Centre then you can email Bimbi at bimbiturner53@gmail.com.
By Brianna O’Rourke
