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An account of the opening of the theatre was published in The Argus on Monday 28 August 1939 - quote:

“TIME MARCHES FOR PEACE”

Mr. Menzies' Hopes “Time marches on in favour of peace,” declared the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) when he opened the new Surrey Theatre, at Surrey Hills, on Saturday night. “I have not given up hope for peace,” he said. “Every hour gained with the world In its present state is a real hour gained.”

The passage of time, Mr. Menzies continued, frequently produced second thoughts, and second thoughts were rarely passionate and angry and seldom thoughts that led to war. It was a wonderful demonstration of the kind of people Australians were to see that In the present time of crisis they could go about their affairs sensibly Instead of working up a lot of passion and prejudice.

The audience, he said, would have an opportunity of getting away from the poor kind of world man had made to a romantic world of moving pictures. It was an escape from reality, of which he was in favour. Immediately after opening the theatre Mr. Menzies returned to his home, where, he said, he would continue his vigil beside his telephone wondering what programme awaited the world.

Mr Menzies' hopes were not realised. Australia officially entered World War II on 3 September 1939, following the government’s acceptance of the United Kingdom’s declaration of war on Nazi Germany.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -