Inspired by a visit to the USA in the early 1950s, Hoyts' Southern Division manager George Griffith Jnr, formed a syndicate to build Australia’s first Drive-in located in Burwood. Drive-ins soon spread throughout the country. One of the earliest Skyline Drive-ins in rural Victoria was built in Wodonga, opening in 1956. It was located on the southwest corner of Melrose Drive and Melbourne Road and had a capacity of 643 vehicles. Its first screening was "The Broken Lance" with Richard Widmark, Spencer and Robert Wagner. The first manager of Skyline was Jim Robinson. The original screen was made from timber but had to be replaced only 20 years later with an all steel structure. The Wodonga Skyline became part of the Hoyts Country Theatres circuit and was later joined by the Stargazer drive-in located in Albury. Unlike most drive-in theatres, the snack bar was located under the screen. This allowed it to operate during the day to cater to travellers passing on the Hume Highway. When Hoyts decided to sell most of the regional circuit, the Skyline was purchased by the operator of the Albury Cinema, Mr A. Smith in conjunction with Village Roadshow. The Skyline closed in 1984 and was demolished in 1987. Its former location in Wodonga is now a housing estate whose street names, such as Roadshow Drive, Universal Court and Paramount Court, reflect the area’s history.These photos are significant because they document a popular venue in Wodonga's past.A series of photographs depicting the Skyline Drive-in at Wodonga.skyline drive-in, entertainment wodonga, businesses wodonga

Rodney SCHERER (24/02/1951 - ) Born Campbelltown, NSW Rodney Scherer studied at the National Art School, East Sydney Technical College (1968 -1972); the Canberra School of Art (1973-75) Dip, Art Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education (1978); and a Grad, Dip, Art (Painting) at Gippsland Institute of Advanced Educaton (1985). He curated a number of significant exhibitions for the Gippsland region of Victoria, including the first national travelling exhibition of regional artist "Contemporary Gippsland Artists 1990-92". Rodney Scherer is a painter, printmaker, sculptor, Curator, retired Public Gallery Director, and fine art consultant. He was the founding chair of the Art Resource Colelction, arcYinnar. He was an Artist in Residence at teh Gippsland TRades and Labour Council, Yallourn Power Startion in 1991, and site manager of the Fifth Sculpture Triennial at the 1992 Melbourne International Arts Festival. In 2021 he curated "The Happy Wanderer. Victoria Cobb 1876-1945" at the Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale, Victoria.This work was purchased by the donor from Rodney Scherer's solo exhibition 'Ubiquitous Orange' at Sparc Gallery, Yinnar.rodney scherer, alumni, sculpture, available