Images: Victor Cinema History
If you’ve ever lined up for popcorn under the deco glow, you’ll know Victor’s Cinema is more than just a movie house. It’s one of South Australia’s few remaining heritage cinemas that continues to operate. It is a landmark that housed generations of memories, tracking back all the way from 1923, its opening year.
Now, it’s being managed completely “in-house”, as the council strengthens its cultural footprint across the region. This change is not a sudden one. In 2020, the council purchased the Cinema, securing its future as a community-owned cultural landmark. From then on, Country Arts South Australia (SA) successfully managed the day-to-day operations of the cinema. Over the past four years, the partnership has delivered strong programming, community events, and impressive numbers, more than 200,000 tickets have been sold, 650 films screened, hosted 80,000 additional events, shared 45,000 buckets of popcorn, and 30,000 choc tops devoured.
The next phase for this monumental arts precinct is underway, and Council is ready to tighten the connections between its cultural spaces. In 2025, a new management process will be operating on behalf of the Victor Cinema, one that will honour local pride, art, and ambition. The city of Victor Harbour (local council) is buying back the management and business. This transition impacts the management as it’s now run completely “in-house.” Despite Country Arts SA stepping back from management processors, they remain involved in broader arts collaborations in the region.
This will positively impact the future of the cinema, as the council now has the freedom to dream big. What’s coming next is bigger than a cinema; it can be seen as a cultural reset. Connecting the Arts and Culture Centre precinct, linking the cinema, town hall, and Coral Street Art Space, additionally, aligns staff, operations, and systems. All of which can transition a town centre into a true cultural experience, bringing future fun into the community.
Country Arts SA have celebrated this transition, calling the partnership a success and welcoming future collaborations across the arts landscape. Locals, of course, had plenty to say, with community members publicly sharing their excitement in the Facebook comments, like this one from Brenda Blakely, “So pleased this beautiful art deco cinema is still in VH. I spent many afternoon sessions [here] in the 50s and 60s”.
This shift signals confidence in the community, the future, and reminiscing about the many memories. With Victor Habour’s emerging identity as a vibrant cultural hub, big plans are underway, and a renewed local focus is at its centre. This beloved cinema is set to shine even brighter.
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