How Daylesford locals rebuilt their cinema, with a little help from The Block

It’s had more drama than a B-grade movie, with two shut-downs in five decades, but Daylesford residents hope it’s third time lucky with the official reopening of the town’s cinema this week.

In a never-say-die effort, locals raised $250,000 and, helped by a reality-TV show, they built the aptly named Phoenix Cinema, after Hepburn Shire Council demolished the last community-run cinema nine years ago.

Phoenix Cinema president Jules McDonald said former jockey Michelle Payne’s biopic, Ride Like a Girl, would screen at Wednesday night’s cinema launch, with Ballarat-born Payne set to attend.

In 2015, Payne won the Melbourne Cup riding 100-to-1 outsider Prince of Penzance, and McDonald said residents had similarly succeeded “against the odds” to resurrect their cinema.

Hepburn Shire Council contributed just $5000 to the Phoenix, via a community grant, which McDonald said was disappointing.

The retired social worker said that in Daylesford, “sport is well catered for, but there’s very little in the way of cultural activities”.

“There’s very little for young people to do, particularly if they’re not interested in sport.”

The cinema, which will be run by volunteers, was funded from donations, sponsorships and fundraising events.

McDonald said contestants and staff of reality-TV show The Block had installed the cinema’s seats, lights and carpet, painted it and outfitted the cafe-bar.

Their work “made a huge difference, and raised optimism” about the project.

This came after locals had objected to The Block building five luxury homes on Daylesford’s outskirts. The project went ahead after the planning minister intervened.

Daylesford resident Lahn Straney-Kraft, who with husband Anton donated $40,000, said a cinema was “an asset to the community and adds to the town’s social and cultural life”.

Growing up in the Queensland town of Proserpine, Straney-Kraft enjoyed going to the movies in a community hall, and he likes that Daylesford kids will have this opportunity.

The 65-seat Phoenix Cinema is upstairs inside the former Rex Theatre, in Vincent Street. From 1929 to 1963, it hosted the original cinema, until it was dismantled to make way for shops.

The building had deteriorated before, in the 2010s, a developer built a shopping arcade and leased space to a community group who in 2013 opened Daylesford Cinema, aka The Rex.

However, in 2016, Hepburn Shire bought the building for $6 million, and dismantled the cinema in 2017, planning to build council offices and a library.

But the redevelopment was botched, construction abandoned, and the financial loss reached $5.65 million. The Rex building was sold back into private hands for $3.75 million in 2022.

Jenny Beacham, co-owner of Mooltan Guesthouse, said she and McDonald were determined to reopen a cinema, and formed a committee.

“It has been amazing how the community has welcomed and supported it,” Beacham said.

Hepburn Shire Mayor Tony Clark said: “The theatre committee and broader Daylesford community have worked hard to bring this important asset to life.

“We wish them all the best and welcome future opportunities to support their endeavours.”

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