The Grove Drive In Theatre at Andergrove Road, Andergrove (Site currently occupied by the Andergrove Tavern) was officially opened on January 12 1960 by then Chairman of the Pioneer Shire council Kenneth White. The Grove Drive In was privately owned by the Gillham Family. The first movies to be shown at The Grove were: No Business Like Show Business and Call North 777.
The Drive In continued to be owned by the Gillham Family until November 15 1972 when it was purchased by Birch Carroll and Coyle. Movies shown on Takeover Day were: John Wayne and The Cowboys and The Cool Ones. On September 11 1974 a new projection booth, office, toilets, Cafe, kitchen and storeroom building was officially opened by then Member for Mackay Edmund Casey. Movies shown at the Grove on the official opening day of the new facilities were McQ and the Mackintosh Man.
Birch Carroll and Coyle then opened another Drive In Theatre. The Westline at Horse and Jockey Road, Racecourse was officially opened by then Member for Mirani Thomas Newberry on November 22 1978. Movies shown on the opening day of the Westline were: Hooper and One On One.
The Grove Drive In Theatre closed on October 4 1986 with the final movies being: Short Circuit and the Never Ending Story. 10 years later the Westline Drive In Theatre at Racecourse closed on April 7 1995. The final movies at the Westline being: Power Rangers, Dunston Checks In, Jumunji and Dracula's Dead and Loving It.
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Thanks for the post Jess. If you'd like to know any more about the Drive-ins you can email me at westlinedi@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThere's also a newspaper ads group on Facebook with many ads from the Grove and Westline as well as many others from around the world at https://www.facebook.com/groups/104738912975457/