Koorda Drive-In
Aitken Road and Orchard Street,
Koorda,
WA
6475
Aitken Road and Orchard Street,
Koorda,
WA
6475
1 person
favorited this theater
Showing 9 comments
The drive-in was leased out(by Clarence Patrick(Paddy) Baker?) to Mr Weymorth of Koorda(1960’s or 1970’s or 1980 or 1981?), and then leased by T. WILmot of Merredin. Reopened in 1987 by Suburban Pictures, managed by Steve Martin of Perth.
Closed in the summer of(2000 or 2001?). Reopened in 2011. The digital projector(Nec 1600 projector), that came from the Paramount Screening Room in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Some or all of the speakers were stolen from this drive-in in early 2016, not long before the speakers also got stolen at the Mukinbuddin Drive-in too(unknown if the speakers were ever found or if anyone got arrested for the crime?).
Koorda Drive-In Aitken Road and Orchard Street, Koorda, WA – UPDATE #
For the sake of history – Here are the original Exhibitors..
The theatre was opened by C.P.Baker of Perth in October 1965. During a later period W.J. Weyworth of Koorda was the operator. Then in 1982 the theatre was taken over by T.Wilmot of Merredin, who ran the drive-in until it’s closure in 1983. The theatre was to sit dark till it was re-opened in 1987 – Contributed by Greg Lynch –
Koorda Drive-In Aitken Road and Orchard Street, Koorda, WA
As one of only three left in in Western Australia, the Koorda Drive In has recently been given a ‘retro’ renovation in the cafe area, and a brand new digital system has been installed to enhance the picture quality.
With two new release movies shown every screening, the Koorda Drive In is truly a unique and memorable experience.
The Koorda Drive-In Outdoor Cinema was built in 1965. The Koorda Drive-In was one of many built in the 50s and 60s and there were over 80 throughout Western Australia during their peak. Today Koorda is one of only three Drive In’s is still operating in the state.
The Koorda Drive-In has a capacity of approximately 110 cars and still uses the original Westrex NTS RCA in car speakers, although FM radio transmission has been added. The FM radio transmission sound system is of superior digital quality.
The original Simplex projectors (manufactured/built in 1929) are still operational, and one is now housed in the diner downstairs for public viewing, these projectors are one of the oldest operating machines in Australia. The sound-heads are the original Westrex type and date back to 1927 when “talkies” were introduced.
The sound system is still valve technology through some of the original Westrex, RCA & NTS speakers which hang on the car windows as in the past but a digital FM transmitter has been installed to provide superior sound through the modern car radio systems.
In February 2015, Koorda converted to the newer digital system which offers a clearer picture and is far more user friendly. Photo & article courtesy of Australia’s Golden Outback web-site – https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/business/attractions – Contributed by Greg Lynch –
The digital projector was first used in February 2015.
Koorda Drive-in’s old projector(before the new digital projector) was Australia’s oldest operating film projector(1929?). The projector stopped working properly during a movie screening(movie unknown?) In November 2014. The projector is on display in the snack bar. The old projector might have damaged during a lightning strike or water getting during the thunderstorm(in 2014?).
Koorda Drive-in planned to be reopenned on 4/2/2018 after repairs to the drive-in.
Koorda Drive-in may have the oldest operating drive-in(or film?) projector in Western Australia?