About Us

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Avoca Beach Picture Theatre began in 1948 in the front gardens of brothers Mervyn and Norman Hunter to raise funds to build the Avoca Beach rock pool and continued as a very welcome part of community life. Projecting through a hole made in Norman’s garage wall onto a homemade screen, people brought cushions to soften the wooden benches. The candybar was under Mervyn’s home and when it rained, everyone tumbled onto the verandah for shelter to continue watching the film! At a time when so many suburbs had their own cinema - 27 cinemas on the Coast - the brothers decided that a multi purpose permanent structure was needed, and the Theatre was built. It included not only the 500 seat cinema but also a Commonwealth Bank and a real estate office. The Theatre operated on Saturdays and during the school holidays, never being open on a Sunday as it was used to hold both Catholic and Presbyterian services. The Theatre adapted as times required, with the inclusion of a souvenir and gift shop from the 60’s and a café from the early ‘80’s, which continue to this day. Avoca Beach Picture Theatre is still owned and run by the same family who arrived in Avoca in 1932. Under the care of Norman and Beth Hunter, the Theatre has partnered with the community to raise over $2 million for charity in the past 7 years and has been recognised with 4 prestigious National Awards for Best Regional Cinema in Australia and additionally has been awarded Regional and State Tourism Awards for excellence.

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