Left to right: Ev Wuchatsch, Carolyn Tatchell, Wendy Stainton
It’s Friday night and the Anglesea Movie club turned the local hall into a wild west saloon. A procession of people in colourful wigs, cowboy outfits and flowing skirts enter the venue, ready for the evening’s activities.
Tonight features High Noon – a classic western film starring Gary Cooper.
Movie Club Spokesperson Ev Wuchatsch says it takes a core committee of eight to organise the fun-filled Anglesea Movie evenings. About 15 volunteers bring the event to life on the day of the screening, from rolling out red carpets to setting up chairs and catering. There is popcorn, heated snacks, lollies and ice creams on offer.
The club’s history
Anglesea volunteers began screening movies for aged care residents back in 2017. A busload of people, including those from the local aged care facility, would enjoy a DVD at the bowling club. Thanks to a council grant and some community fundraising, the group were able to install some new audio-visual equipment. After that, it didn’t take long to for new movie club ideas to grow.
The committee held their gala opening in November 2021. The Scottish highland thriller Rob Roy attracted 110 movie club members, with many wearing tartan to the event.
‘By that stage the membership had just taken off. In the first year we had about 187 members. It was phenomenal,’ Ev says. The club’s membership now stands at 205 people.
‘We go to a bit of effort to try and theme the hall to whatever the movie is. So, when we had Rosa’s Wedding, we had a wedding cake made from fabric and cardboard. We dressed up as identical bridesmaids to greet the guests. So, it was great fun. A lot of the crowd put in a bit of effort to dress up.’
Film clubs across the state
Anglesea’s Movie Club is one of more than 80 movie clubs registered with Film Victoria. Some groups cater to special interests, like horror or science fiction, but most are location based.
'It's $75 a year to join Film Victoria. We buy the DVDs from anywhere from $2 to $20 then we pay, on average, $75 for the screening rights to Roadshow or whoever has produced the movie,’ Ev says.
Annual membership to the Anglesea Movie Club is $77, or $66 concession, with ten screenings a year.
‘And they eat and drink a fair bit,' Ev laughs. ‘It’s a cheap night out.’
Ev has been involved in the movie club from the start. She recommends it to others to take part in, or even start their own.
'I love organising events. I just think it's a wonderful, happy thing to do in the community. I've been on local boards and done other bits and pieces in my post-work life, but this is so much fun. I'd much rather do this.’
Find your local movie club on the Federation of Victorian Film .
Reviewed 07 December 2023