Daylesford’s Phoenix@The Rex community cinema has moved significantly closer to reopening following a donation commitment of up to $40,000 from local residents Lahn and Anton Straney-Kraft.
The couple have made an initial $20,000 donation and are personally matching a further $20,000 from the community dollar for dollar. If fully matched, their contribution will total $40,000 and bring the cinema group close to installing the projection and sound equipment needed to begin screening films.
Cinema group president Jules McDonald said the donation had provided fresh momentum for the project going into the new year.“We are delighted and grateful for this generosity and far-sightedness.”
The cinema redevelopment has been driven largely by community fundraising following Hepburn Shire Council’s sale of the Rex building in 2022. Since then, new owners Eddy and Malinka Comelli and artists David Bromley and his wife Yuge have supported the project, with Comelli completing the partially built shell and the Bromleys contributing generously to fundraising efforts.
Over recent months, volunteers have raised funds through raffles, sausage sizzles, a Movie Trivia night at the Bowling Club, a Night of Magic and Music at Frangos Hotel, a Feast and Flick series at Radius supported by Ramon and Dr Charlie Si, an Open Garden day at Musk, and a large Indian dinner that raised $20,000.
The cinema group also approached council seeking a $50,000 contribution from reserves set aside for community facilities that would have been housed in the Rex.
When that request was declined, additional private donors stepped in, including a retired senior business executive and his wife, who asked to remain anonymous.“We used to love going to films at The Rex,” he said.He recalled it as a particularly important place to gather in winter.“We are disappointed in the Council’s lack of interest in a project which has such community value”
For us it’s a really good thing to support Jules and the team, who are doing all they can to make it a success.
The couple said their support was driven by both and a personal connection and the value of the project to the town.
It is anticipated the Cinema will open in the first half of the year.
