Organisers of the banquet to raise money for the restoration of the Rex Cinema are delighted at the overwhelming response, which has seen the dinner sold out almost a month before the event.
Jules McDonald, head of the cinema group, said she is hugely encouraged by the enthusiasm. “We are so gratified that everyone seems to have got behind this ground-breaking event,” she said. “It shows that the plans for the cinema are going smoothly, with passionate support from the community. It also signals that the hard work and dedication of the cinema group are being rewarded.”
The dinner on Saturday, March 22, will feature celebrated local filmmaker Richard Keddie as a special guest.
Daylesford culinary enthusiast, Raman Richards, will be joined by his mother, Puja Kumari, who has been a restaurateur for over four decades, running multiple award-winning Indian Restaurants across Australia. The pair recently worked together to cook for the legendary Beyond Blue Big Blue Table event to resounding success.
For the many who appear to have missed out another evening is coming in the form of a Movie Trivial Pursuit Night at the Daylesford Bowling Club on 7 May. More details are promised in the near future.

The Daylesford Community Theatre has applied for a grant of $128,000 from the Regional Infrastructure Grant program. They have raised matching funding of $40,000.  The remaining target for fund raising is $70,000.  If they succeed with the grant application, they will be able to fund on an ‘all the bells and whistles’ basis.

The DCT is still hoping to open the cinema in 2025 if they are successful in raising the funds required. Otherwise they intend to continue applying for other grants and they are currently seeking business sponsorships.

The owners are responsible for completing the cinema, which includes plastering and painting the frame left behind when the Council sold the building, fitting out the toilets and completing the ticket area and balcony. DCT is responsible for the ‘fit out’ inside the shell. They have had many offers by tradespeople with a variety of skills to assist them.

Final plans are being prepared by an architect who specialises in cinema design. His brief includes a 3 metre space in front of the screen adequate for presentations, one or two person shows,  interview events such as Words in Winter programs and musical events such a singer accompanied by a guitarist and similar events.

A number major items required to fit out the cinema and some have already been provided through donations and technical assistance.