Restoration of the
Peters Greek Café Bingara
The Roxy Café Restoration Project and the Roxy Museum are governed by a Committee. Three members of the Committee are members of the Kytherian Association of Australia, and one is also a member of the Kytherian World Heritage Fund. The Roxy has established a close working relationship with the Kytherian community, including with family members of the original founders.A great strength of the project is the way that the complex relates to many parts of the primary, secondary and adult education curricula: Australian history, family and local history, changing food habits, conservation architecture, changing entertainment, ethnic influences and diversity of our culture.
The Roxy will become a place of great historical significance that exhibits local distinctiveness and a sense of place. Its civic pride and confidence in its heritage, in its cultural facilities and collections is destined to attract people from all walks of life, all walks of life, all wanting to share this unique experience.
In 2009, the Council was the recipient of the funds through the Department of Heritage, Environment, Water and the Arts under the Australian Government Jobs Fund. The grant ensures that the project will not require an additional financial contribution from the Gwydir Council and will therefore come at no cost to ratepayers.The staged project is multi-faceted and includes:
• the restoration of the Greek art deco café to its original splendour
• a medium scale conference facility upstairs above the café
• a museum that celebrates the story of immigration and acknowledges the significance of the Greek Café
• the relocation of the Tourist Information Centre
Stage 2 will see the incorporation of a Trade Training Centre offering Certificate III Level Hospitality Training run in conjunction with the Gwydir Learning Region, the Department of Education and Training and TAFE NSW. This Training Facility will be funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
The incorporation of the Trade Training Centre will offer students the opportunity to carry out the practical hours of training required as a necessary component of their course, as well as providing potential future employment opportunities.
A Roxy Café Restoration Project Management Committee has been formed and has met on two occasions. The Committee is made up of Councillors and staff from the Gwydir Shire, as well as representatives from the community including Ben Gardiner, Veterinarian; Rick Hutton, Vision 2020; Peter Jones, Bingara and District Historical Society; Nancy MacInnes and John Wearne, North West Theatre Company.
Representatives from the Greek community include Peter Prineas, author and grandson of Roxy Founder Peter Feros. George Poulos, cultural administrator and cultural trustee of the Kytherian World Heritage Fund, and Public Relations Officer of the Kytherian Association of Australia, is also a Committee member.
Both Mr Prineas and Mr Poulos have travelled to Bingara to attend the Committee meetings, and both have enthusiastically expressed the staunch support and commitment of the Kytherian community, to this exciting project.
Architectural firm Magoffin and Deakin from Armidale has been officially appointed. Heritage Architect Anthony Deakin was responsible for the restoration of the Roxy Theatre, and has willingly accepted the appointment. Mr Deakin brings a sound knowledge, history and understanding of the building, as well as being a great supporter of the project.
The “Greek Café” is broadly regarded as a quintessentially Australian phenomenon. Greek Cafes changed the course of Australia’s cultural history and left a significant legacy on our culinary and cultural landscape. Over time, those remaining have been considerably modified, while the majority have been relegated to memory, or oblivion. The story of the Greek Café is a shared chapter in the histories of Greece and Australia, a chapter that is almost over. Very few Greek cafes operate as they did 50 years ago. Even fewer complexes that incorporate a functioning cinema and café remain.
The Roxy Café will become a place of national significance that conserves and protects the important cultural associations between people and place. It will provide opportunities for the celebration of Greek traditions that became embedded in Australia. It was the Greek café that enabled generations of Greek immigrants to ‘infiltrate’ the culture of their new land. And it was the cafes that changed the way Australians think about themselves.back to top
For all enquiries:
The General Manager,
Gwydir Shire Council
Phone: 02 6724 2000
33 Maitland Street
Locked Bag 5
Bingara NSW 2404
Email:
mail @gwydir.nsw.gov.au
website: www.roxybingara.com.au
Inside the fully restored Peters Café
The work carried out in the restoration has been undertaken to best protect the significant fabric of the place, with minimal disturbance, to ensure the culturally significant aspects of the place are respected, retained and preserved. The restoration of the Café includes the re-instatement of original furniture of the period, that has been acquired for the purpose, including a 35ft counter with original soda fountain, original tables and chairs currently in use in the meeting room at The Roxy, as well as custom-made display cabinets and shelving from 1936.
The Roxy currently attracts over 12,000 annually to numerous events and activities held there. The restoration project will guarantee the delivery of further economic benefits to the town through an increase in tourism, as well as the employment opportunities on offer.
The Roxy will become a place of great historical significance that exhibits local distinctiveness and a sense of place. Its civic pride and confidence in its heritage, in its cultural facilities and collections is destined to attract people from all walks of life, all wanting to share this unique experience.
