"Dear people of Goulburn... Nora was a beautiful person, a hard boss too, I'm told, and the best aunty we could have wished for."

These are the words in a hand-written note to the Library from Lisa Osborn. Back in 2021, Lisa was cleaning out her home and came across scrapbooks containing more than 200 photos, movie promotions, newspaper clippings, festival programs, and colouring-in competition entries belonging to her aunt, Nora Lewsham. She has very fond memories of visiting Nora in Goulburn in the school holidays with her mother and brother.

We are extremely grateful to Lisa for donating this unique and precious collection to the Library.

Nora Lewsham had a successful career in theatre management at a time when female-run businesses were rare. When she became Theatre Manager of Goulburn's Hoyts Theatre in 1963, she was the only Theatre Manager on the circuit at the time.

Goulburn Evening Post, Wednesday 21 August, 1963, pg. 31.

The collection spans the years from 1947, when Nora began working at Hoyts Theatre, right through until 1977, when she was managing the Village Drive-In, and includes some never before seen black and white images of the Hoyts Ritz Theatre.

Staff photo, Hoyts Theatre. PF-75 no. 15274.

Promoting the kids' matinee. PF-75 no. 15385.

Left: Hoyts Theatre, Auburn St. PF-75 no. 15380. Right: interior of the Hoyts Theatre. PF-75 no. 15376.

The Village Drive-In

Here is an extract from the NSW Government Gazette granting the application for the Village Drive-In under the Theatres and Public Halls Act of 1908:

NSW Government Gazette, 3 December 1971, pg. 4684.

Village Drive-In opening promotion. PF-75 no. 15320.

Nora's photos will inform researchers for many years to come, revealing the fashions of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the cars, and the main street buildings.

The collection takes you back to a time when Drive-ins were popular with families, courting couples and teenagers. Who remembers full carloads, with a few extra friends smuggled in for free in the car boot?

For families, it was an inexpensive and fun night out, especially the ‘Sunday Specials’ of $2 for a carload. For couples, the Drive-In provided a little more ‘privacy’ than the cinema!

Sunday special sign. PF-75 no. 15200.

The on-site café provided all the traditional drive-in foods of hamburgers, hot chips and milkshakes. There was also a playground and themed night tie-ins for movies such as Star Wars, Alvin Purple, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Evil Knievel, and Disney characters, plus many more!

Nora Lewsham serving at the cafe. PF-75 no. 15363.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks promotion. PF-75 no. 15221.

Community Spirit

Nora's scrapbooks reveal a woman totally engaged in her work of theatre promotion and community involvement. Nora promoted local festivals and events, and encouraged local businesses to get involved.

Goulburn's Lilac Festival and Apex Clubs benefitted greatly from her dedication, as well as annual events such as Carols by Candlelight.

Carols by Candlelight at the Village Drive-In. PF-75 no. 15287 and no. 15295.

As her niece, Lisa, describes in her letter:"Nora was dedicated to her career, an independent, strong woman before her time."

Many locals have fond memories of visiting the Village Drive-In. Please Get in touch with us if you would like to share some of your memories of this time in Goulburn's history.

Nora's photo collection can be viewed online via the Library catalogue. The scrapbooks can be viewed in the Library by appointment.

References: Aunty Boo captures 1970s Goulburn for posterity, by John Thistleton, About Regional, 29 January, 2023.

See our other online collection exhibitions.