This is the new name for the Daylesford Community Theatre Inc., which is currently trading as the Daylesford Cinema. It is a not-for-profit, community-operated independent cinema.

The Daylesford Cinema group is a team of skilled and enthusiastic volunteers living in Daylesford and surrounding areas. The team aims to redevelop the Daylesford Cinema, which was forced to close in 2017 in its original location at the Rex. Bound together by a love of cinema, our volunteers are split into four groups:

1. An incorporated Committee of Management: responsibilities include governance of the Cinema Group, strategic planning and direction, financial management and oversight; development, oversight, and review of the business plan; volunteer management and recruitment; facility management and programming; and community and business engagement.

2. Project Team: planning, implementation, and management of outfitting of the cinema, in collaboration with the Committee of Management

3. Communications sub-committee: responsibilities include making recommendations to the Committee of Management about branding, website development and management, and market research

4. Fundraising subcommittee: responsibilities include making recommendations to the Committee of Management for fundraising activities, organising them, and providing the people power (arms and legs) to undertake them.

The Comelli and Bromley families own the Rex building. The owners are working collaboratively and in good faith with the Daylesford Cinema Group to revitalise the facility. Part of the upper floor of the building will be leased by the owners to the Phoenix Cinema@TheRex as a community run cinema.

Under this arrangement, the Cinema Group will fit out the existing shell as a modern, 70-seat cinema with a café/bar and ticketing area. The owners are completing the building of the cinema shell previously built by the council, the balcony area, and the toilets. They have already completed the plastering, sound proofing, electrical power supply and stairwell. The cinema group has constructed the platforms necessary for tiered seating, purchased the new seats, and completed the cinema specific electrical work, cabling, and security system. The renovation has stayed true to the Art Deco style of the original structure.

The cinema group, in collaboration with the owners, also plans to ensure an eye-catching street entrance with attractive lighting and signage inviting locals and tourists to experience the venue.

We are approaching local businesses to seek sponsorship support.