STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:

The Braidwood National Theatre and Community Centre at 100 Wallace Street, Braidwood, in the very heart of Braidwood, directly fronts Wallace Street and is one of Braidwood's iconic heritage buildings. It is located within an historic heritage area and is an important component of the streetscape. The National Theatre dates from 1923 and is thought to be one of the oldest operating picture theatres in Australia. The building now also houses the Braidwood and Villages Tourist Information Centre with much information on the historic,heritage-listed town.

DESCRIPTION:

The Theatre can seat an audience of 200 for films and stage productions, and can seat 120 for a function involving dinner or lunch. It has a non-commercial kitchen; bay lighting, discreet side wall lighting and spot lighting; and various equipment for exhibitions and presentations. There is a curtained stage and an extended stage apron plus two dressing rooms. One of the highlights of the building is the pressed metal facade. The original floor with diagonal corner boards still remains in place.

HISTORY:

The National Theatre began its life as a purpose-built roller-skating rink that opened for business on September 3, 1921. Albert Graham, a tailor, then changed the usage of his building, known as Graham's Hall, when he opened The New Electric Theatre in July 1923. Strong competition for custom existed between Graham's Rink Electric Pictures and Paul Nomchong who had been screening films in the Literary Institute since 1913. Graham also presented vaudeville and travelling picture shows such as Frank Hurley's documentaries from January 1924.

Paul Nomchong finally defeated Graham, leasing the theatre from April 1924. He continued to operate it as a rink together with other entertainment. At the end of February 1925, the building was advertised as the National Theatre (Late Rink) Electric Pictures. During Back to Braidwood Week in November 1925, films were screened on six nights. Other Nomchong entertainments were stage shows and boxing tournaments, and a jazz orchestra for functions. He screened his first sound movie in 1951and sold the business in 1952. In 1956 MGM's Rose Marie was the first CinemaScope film to entertain Braidwood. Paul Nomchong. He also mounted occasional stage shows that were 'clean' and 'suitable for the wife and kiddies'. Just before Christmas the Theatre became a Toyland.

Competitive challenges such as updated technical requirements, television, licensed clubs and changing social patterns took their toll and the theatre business finally failed in 1968. The building was sold to the Tallaganda Council in 1976.

Over the next 20 years attempts were made to resurrect successful use ofthe National Theatre building- more film screening ventures,employment of a youth worker, indoor soccer and transition into a Community Centre.

By the mid 1990s possums had taken up residence and the roof leaked. In the mid nineties, and much to the distress of many Braidwood citizens, the theatre was threatened with demolition. This was due to the neglect by the Tallaganda Council and the judgment of some councillors that the building was too difficult and expensive to maintain. In November 1996, the Braidwood Quilters group collected plenty of buckets and held its second Quilt Event in the National Theatre, heralding the start of a new era for the building. The 2000-2001Heritage Office Annual Report refers to funding for Stage 2 of interior conservation work.

A NSW Local Government Section 355 Committee was formed to manage and refurbish the neglected building. The public outcry when demolition was threatened led to the Save the Hall Ball, the first of many fundraising efforts.

The National Theatre, now much in demand, plays host to the monthly film club and farmers' market, two annual book fairs, four makers craft markets, an antique fair, rug market, the Quilt Event, hospital fete, debutant ball, memorial services, Christmas and New Year parties and another 10 to 12 regular users. It is now the National Theatre and Community Centre, managed by a Palerang Council Committee. It is the venue for annual events such as the Braidwood Quilt Event, The Braidwood Regional Arts Group Members' Exhibition, and monthly Film Club screenings also use the building.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Austin, D. (2011) "Kingdom'Minded" People: Christian Identity and the Contributions of Chinese Business Christians, Brill.

Mcleod, J. (2014) 'Braidwood's National Theatre: historic and irrepressible', District Bulletin, 3 August 2014.

BOUNDARY OF LISTING

The boundary of the listing is the boundary of lot 1, DP212029 SITE PLAN:

PHOTOGRAPHS:

Photos from htt p : / /www. b r a i d w o o d n s w .c o m / nationaltheat r e .h tml -

From VirtuaiTourist,photo by Tiabunna.