The Malachi Gilmore Hall has been the centre of Oberon through eight decades of remarkable change in the town.
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The Malachi was the social epicentre of the community from 1937, and the building was full of life – from dancing to rollerskating, cinema screenings to art exhibitions.
For over 80 years the Malachi has had its champions, from the original landowner, Michael Gilmore; the nuns of St Joseph’s and Reverend Dr Gummer who commissioned the wonderful building; Les Antiss and Herb David, both film fanatics and master projectionists; the Still family who carefully wrapped the hall in wool; the Friends of the Malachi whose campaign successfully listed the hall on the State Heritage register; the Cobweb Craft volunteers consistently keeping shop for thirty five years, and now the baton is passed to Lucy and Johnny East.
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Lucy, from five generations of the Cunynghame family, is the great niece of Les Antiss, Malachi’s first projectionist. The Easts have a vision to create a vibrant arts venue for Oberon, a place that thrives on community, crafting and creativity.
Lucy East said the Malachi Revival launches with a weekend of events this Saturday and Sunday.
"Tickets for events are available from the Malachi this week, the Oberon Visitors Centre, the Long Arm Cafe or online at themalachirevival.eventbrite.com.
"The Sunday Long Lunch is sold out but the Malachi Supper Club Revival with the Brad Child Swingtet is still available.
"Come and get involved in the revival of an important building in a wonderful community."
HALL’S HISTORY
THE Malachi Gilmore Hall is an art deco building that was designed by Italian architect Virgil Cizzio and was opened in 1937. It was known as the Magna Theatre.
A striking feature of the hall is the use of glass bricks.
It was built on land donated to the Catholic Church in memory of Malachi Gilmore, who had come to Oberon in 1872 and owned land in the Oberon area. It was originally built as a dance hall cinema, seating 310 people, but has also been a cabaret venue and a skating rink.
Lucy and Johnny East puchased the Malachi in Janaury and their aim is to renovate the hall as a vibrant and versatile cultural space for the Oberon community to be use as a movie theatre or performing arts venue, in line with its historic cultural use in Oberon, as well as a space for art exhibitions and a hireable facility for the community.
“The project has all the right ingredients to bridge the passage of time and to set its course for another 80 years,” said Ms East.
