Robertson Up In Lights
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday May 27, 2004
ROBERTSON has been showcased in movie theatres across the world thanks to a little pig called Babe.
Now the picturesque village has a cinema of its own on Robertson's main road.
The cinema is in Robertson's Community Technology Centre (CTC), an unexciting name for a concept which it's hoped will inspire the small community.
``I think Robertson is one of those smaller villages in the shire that feels sometimes they're not able to access the services that larger villages have. This includes computer technology and a cinema," CTC steering committee member Sarah Tahourdin said.
``The whole idea is to build a sense of community within Robertson so people feel more proud of their town and connect with one another."
CTC's distinctive yellow building with its white screened windows stands out in Hoddle St between a number of businesses including antique shops, tractor dealerships and eateries.
Inside there is a large room with country-style tables and chairs for the coffee shop. The Internet cafe computers, computer lab, multimedia lab and video conferencing room are hidden behind a large purple wall.
This wall becomes the movie screen and 50 chairs are in place for the audience.
``Someone came in just after it opened and said `it feels like Robertson's living room'," CTC cafe coordinator and steering committee member Emma Calver said.
Community ownership of the cinema, which regularly screens children's and adult movies, is vital for its success.
Until now Robertson residents have had to travel to Burrawang, the 25 minutes to Bowral or to Shellharbour to watch a movie.
One resident, Belinda Borbely from restaurant Pizzas in the Mist, said she was thrilled with what CTC had to offer her children and her parents.
``We have three children so it's going to be a great benefit for them but also our parents live here and they're in their 60s and can go to the centre to do the online computer course," she said.
``They wouldn't have had the incentive to get online before because of the travel and being a community organisation it's going to bring us all closer together."
It's this kind of feedback Ms Tahourdin, the cinema coordinator, is after. She would like the cinema to develop into a hub for the town's activities.
``A lot of people come into Robertson and there's a lot they can do," she said.
``This is just another drawcard for people to come to the area and explore the location."
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury