Historical information

The photo was donated to Ray Hudson Real Estate by David Lord, 9 Maude Street, Box Hill North, 3129. David Lord is son of Clive H Lord, FRAIA, Dip Arch Design - architect of the building.
Clive Harmsworth Lord (1905-1979) was admitted as a registered architect by the Architect's Registration Board in April 1931 (REF: TROVE - The Argus, 17 April 1931).
Electoral roll gives Clive Harmsworth Lord at 196 Union Road in 1954 and 1963 and in 1968 at 5 Streetham Court, Mont Albert.
He died at Mont Albert; cremated Springvale.
Roy Dimmick of Dimmick and Long, Len Rossiter and Robert Mitchell (+ and one of the other principals of Dimmick and Long) had the theatre built; Len Rossiter was the builder; Clive H Lord was the architect. The theatre was opened by the local member and prime minister, Robert Menzies on 3rd September 1939.
Dimmick & Long operated a real estate agency from the corner of the building.
Owned / operated by Surrey Theatres Pty Ltd (L Rossiter and Robert Mitchell) from 3/9/1939-1/1/1952
Owned / operated by Victoria Theatres Pty Ltd from 1/11/1950 to 22/10/1960
Owned / operated by Consolidated Theatres Pty Ltd from 1/3/1958 to 22/10/1960
The theatre became a squash court in the (?) 1960s.
SHNN: April-May 1986: Plans are afoot to revamp the squash courts with existing shops to remain but with the interior to be converted to office showroom space.
40-2286 is a black and white photocopy made by Jocelyn Hall; removed from its mount board on 15/3/2013.
SLV have other photos including ones of the foyer.

Physical description

Sepia digital image of the Surrey Theatre at 140-148 Union Road, Surrey Hills taken from across the road from the corner of Bedford Avenue and Union Road. It shows the theatre entrance and the other businesses occupying the site, both facing Union Road and Croydon Road and 2 buildings to the north of the site in Union Road. These include Miss Williams Dressmaker; Dimmick and Long, Estate Agents and Royal Insurance Company Ltd. There are 2 cars parked, one in Union Road and one in Croydon Road. DImmick and Long occupies the corner site in the building.

Inscriptions & markings

Original: Commercial Photographic Co Pty Ltd on lower RH edge.
Stamp on back: Commercial Photographic Coy. / Pty. Ltd. / 217 Queensberry St., Melbourne, N3. / (Details re ordering prints) / Telephone F5266