Bonney Theatre
Bonney Theatre
Bonney Theatre was constructed in 1938 and adjoins the Soldiers Memorial Hall which was the original venue for social activities in the 1920’s. This building is an example of art deco architecture. Originally used as a picture theatre, it is now the town’s entertainment center holding dances, concerts, musical, festivals and the like.
This multi purpose venue is located in the heart of Barmera, and is an ideal venue for holding events such as wedding receptions, performances, exhibitions, product launches, workshops, board meetings etc.
If you are looking for a venue that has character and beauty—then Imagine holding your event in this beautiful hall, with polished wooden floors and great acoustics.
LOCATION: Barwell Avenue, Barmera
FACILITIES:
Wheel chair accessible to ground floor
- Hall & Stage
- Toilets and shower facilities
- Heating
- Rear projection screen and audio system available for use
- 10 Tables and 250 chairs
- Kitchen available for use if required (Kitchen is shared with Soldiers memorial room) Kitchen includes access to oven, microwave and fridge. Limited cutlery and crockery available for use.
PARKING:
Street parking, Pascoe Tce
CAPACITY:
300 person capacity in Bonney Theatre - if additional room is required Soldiers memorial is also available for venue hire in conjunction with Bonney Theatre
Book this venue
If you have any enquiries about the venue or wish to make a booking, please visit our Organising Events page.
Bonney Theatre
Bonney Theatre was constructed in 1938 and adjoins the Soldiers Memorial Hall which was the original venue for social activities in the 1920’s. This building is an example of art deco architecture. Originally used as a picture theatre, it is now the town’s entertainment center.
If you are looking for a venue that has character and beauty - then imagine holding your event in this beautiful hall, with polished wooden floors, great acoustics and located in the heart of Barmera on Barwell Avenue.
Today, the Bonney Theatre complex is comprised of the Bonney Theatre, Soldiers' Memorial Hall and Hawdon Chamber (see history below).
BONNEY THEATRE
'The Soldiers Memorial Hall' was proving a popular social venue, but its capacity was somewhat overtaxed. With visions of large extensions, the District Council took over the hail from the R.S.L. Hall Committee and made plans for the remodeling of the front of the building (Hawdon Chambers) and the construction of a new larger hall on the adjoining block, to be known as The Bonney Theatre, with a seating capacity of 850.
To finance the project, the Council borrowed £1500 (pounds) and W.M. (Bill) Lucas who had planned the Hotel six years earlier, was engaged as architect. The contract was let to R.L. (Ron) Gambling (a local builder) for £8,340 (pounds). The Foundation Stone was laid by the Hon Tom Playford, Minister of Crown Lands and Irrigation on 25th July, 1938, (with building operations well under way) and the Theatre was opened on December 10th 1938.
BARMERA DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE
The Centre moved its office from 'Hawdon Chambers' to the Hotel and thence to a new building at the top of Barwell Avenue in December 1986, and there conducts a successful Travel and Tourist Bureau.
E.T.S.A.
The District Council finally relinquished involvement with the electricity supply in November 1955, when all supply and distribution rights were sold to the Electricity Trust of S.A. A line depot was established, and in 1965 the 'Upper Murray’ regional centre (now ‘Murraylands’) was established in an office in Hawdon Chambers, later moving to a headquarters building at the depot site on Tonkin Avenue.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library services have been available since the early development days. An Institute Library was established in 1920 with Bill Rogers as librarian, firstly in a 'cubicle' on Nookamka Terrace (until wrecked in the 1924 tornado) and later in a room in the 'Memorial Hall' in the early 1930's. The Community Hotel took over the library in 1936, followed by the Community Centre in 1948, firstly in a small shop in Barwell Avenue, and later in a room in Hawdon Chambers.
The Barmera Public Library opened on October 4th, 1961 in a purpose built building adjoining Hawdon Chambers. Operated by the Council and subsidised by the Libraries Board of S.A., it was the first such library in the Riverland region. Ms Jan Walladge served as Librarian for an initial setting up period, followed by Ms Dianne Tillett, with Ms Wendy Fielke, currently Assistant Librarian.
Typical Activities
- Dances
- Concerts, musicals and festivals
- Weddings
- Workshops / Expos
- Cocktail Parties
Facilities
- Wheel chair accessible
- Toilets facilities
- Air Conditioning / Heating
- Kitchen
- Trestles and chairs available for hire
Main Areas
- Theatre
- Stage
- Kitchen
- Mezzanine Seating
- Ticket Booth
- Foyer
- Street Parking
Size (estimate)
- Bonney Theatre: 18.5m x 18m
Soldiers' Memorial Hall
Elegance and privacy make the Soldiers' Memorial Hall ideal for your next workshop, intimate cocktail function or presentation.
An adjoining kitchen provides an independent area for any catering requirements.
Typical Activities
- Art Gallery
- Meetings and workshops
- Intimate cocktail function
- Presentation
Facilities
- Wheel chair accessible
- Toilets facilities
- Air Conditioning / Heating
- Kitchen
- Trestles and chairs available for hire
- Chesterfield Lounges
Main Areas
- Hall
- Ticket Booth
- Foyer
- Street Parking
Size (estimate)
- Soldiers' Memorial Hall: 6m x 13.1m
