Village Roadshow’s story begins in 1954 and tracks the evolution of Australia’s modern entertainment industry. The company grew from a single suburban drive‑in, to a multinational force in cinemas, film distribution, production, radio, and theme parks. In 1954, Roc Kirby, opened one of Australia’s first drive‑ins in Croydon, Melbourne, adopting the name Village from the nearby “Croydon Village” shopping strip. By the late 1950s, the company operates 27 drive‑ins, then expands into traditional “hard‑top” cinemas. In 1967, Roadshow Distributors entered the film distribution. In 1971, the group begins film production via Hexagon Productions and forms a long‑term distribution partnership with Warner Bros. in Australia.Roc Kirby and his sons lived in Albion and Sunshine.2332.01 - Newspaper Article The Age 30 May 1998 Australia shows way forward on big screen 2332.02 - Newspaper Article Village Takes Show On Road 2332.03 -Newspaper Article November 1999 village chief pay row 2332.04 - Newspaper Article Village Shake Up Amid Probe Of $1m Claimvillage roadshow, robert kirby, roscoe "roc" hubert kirby

village roadshow, roscoe "roc" hubert kirby

non-fictionPapers delivered at a Conference 17/04/1999von mueller ferdinand, melbourne, german community

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