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Uploaded on: May 25, 2025

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Panania Star Theatre 235 Tower Street, Panania, NSW -

POSTSCRIPT*

Note; All black & white photos that appear on this site supplied by Bill Collins, the Star theatre projectionist.

A message from Bill Collins (former projectionist from Panania Star Theatre).

May I point out that Panania Theatre was never considered an “Ärt Deco” Theatre. Rather it was considered a “Stadium” Theatre. Other misinformation was the dismantling of the projection room equipment. I was present when National Theatre Supplies removed them and sent them to The Star Newsreel in Melbourne which was owned by Tom Virgona. At present the Star projection equipment is located in a private museum.

The seating was removed by me personally (row by row, week by week) and sent to the Ascot Theatre in Sydney which is now demolished. As to the Star sign, it was taken down whilst I was still working at Panania Theatre and replaced by me with coloured carnival lights. The sign was actually rented and it was too expensive and would often break down so that is why I replaced it - Notes by Bill Collins

Extra - An animated 3 Bar Neon “Star” Flickered Blue, Green and Yellow which was mounted where the St Christopher’s Church Crucifix remained for 40 years until its replaced location towards the centre of the facade in 2006.

Response to Bill Collins - My name is Steve Mills, I was the projectionist for Padstow Star from July 1968 until October 1986, when it closed it’s doors for the last time. I worked along side of paul Dravet and and Alan Wilson. Bill, the seating you speak of that went from Panania to the Ascot ended up at Padstow Star around the mid 1970’s; I helped install them. I saw “The Ten Commandments” and “Ben Hur” at Panania cinema, I was around 10-12 years old and I remember thinking at the time, I want to run the movies; my dream came true. Padstow Star was taken over by Bruce Paterson around 1966, after Tom Virgona’s death. When Bruce died, early 80’s Mark, last name escapes me, bought it. He also had interest with the Randwick Ritz, along with his sister. Those were the days… I miss it to this day.

Extra - Panania Star Cinema Remained closed and for two years was used as a Warehouse for Inglis Electrix and was bought in 1967 By Fr Landers who was heading up the Catholic Schooling and Convent Nuns teaching in Sydney’s South West.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -