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Uploaded on: December 27, 2025

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This is the story of NORMAN ROBINS (pictured in the Savoy Bio Box) & his experience at the Savoy Theatre & Gardens, East Victoria Park commencing 1958.

With a recommendation from AMMPT member Hedley Sims to Ron Eldsgood of Goldfields Pictures Norm started as a assistant projectionist under Colin Nicholas at the Savoy Theatre & Gardens in East Victoria Park.

These were exciting times with the introduction of CinemaScope along with the interesting variation of working in the Savoy hardtop and the Savoy Picture Gardens.

In 1959 the Savoy Theatre closed with the advent of Television (theatres emptied out almost over-night). Norm was transferred (to the next district) being The Goldfields Broadway Theatre in Victoria park.

After a short period of time the Broadway Theatre also closed through lack of patronship, and Norm secured a position at the Mayfair Newsreel theatrette in Hay-street Perth. Projectionists Bennie Quinlan and Bob Jones took Norm under their wing for training to be a projectionist, but when Norm turned 18 years of age he was made redundant .

Norm obtained work at a factory however continue visiting Bob Jones at the Mayfair to continue his training as a projectionist until finely obtained his projectionist Licence. Part time work followed at Hoyts Plaza Theatre in Hay Street Perth under Eric Nichols. This saw Norm back in the projection box again.

The new Twin city Drive-ln Theatre in Kalgoorlie opened in 1963 Norm secured a projectionist position opposite AMMPT member Merv Partington.

Norm finally left the movie industry in mid 1964 and spent 10 years in Fire protection and a further 25 years as a career Fire Fighter before retiring.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -