Roxy Gardens

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Greg Lynch said – TRIBUTE – H. R. (Herb) Robinson, Theatre Owner, Showman, Politician & Community Icon – – For those who believe that old cinemas have souls you could argue that there is much more to a theatre than just bricks and mortar. Should we consider the personalities of the owners, along with the memories of a passing parade of countless movie fans who over the decades sat under the stars on warm summer nights in The Roxy Gardens, or were cocooned in the mysterious darkness of the Lyric Theatre, while enjoying the transported screen images of time and place.

The Roxy & Lyric Theatres Maylands were run by the Robinson family. H. R. (Herb) Robinson & his sister Miss M. I. Robinson who built and opened the gardens in 1933. Twelve months later the Robinsons took over The Lyric Theatre. The story of Herb Robinson is one of achievement. Born in Perth April 9, 1909 to Mary Ellen and Richard Herbert Robinson. His father killed in action in France when he was only eight years old. in April 1918. Robinson attended St Patrick’s Boys' School, and after leaving school worked as a clerk for the W A Government Railways. In 1933 he and his sister opened the Roxy Gardens, Maylands. The following year they took over the nearby Lyric Theatre also in Maylands. Uniquely remaining owners of both theatres until their eventual closure in the early 1960s because of the inroads of television.

On 16 July 1940 Robinson enlisted in the Australian Army during World War II, serving with the 5th Australian Infantry Troops. Then on 8 August 1942 he married Annie Mary Eluned Morgan resulting in two daughters. Robinson was discharged from the army on 12 December 1945. He was elected to the Perth Road Board in 1951, and from 1959 to 1961 served as its chairman. Robinson also served as president of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association of WA, from 1951 to 1956. During the early 50’s major improvements were made to the Roxy Gardens which saw the removal of the traditional deck chairs with the introduction of a new type of cushioned cane chair. while palm trees were planted along the walls giving the theatre an exotic tropical influence. When the Perth Road Board became the Shire of Perth in 1961 Robinson was elected to shire president, serving in the position until he left the council in 1963.

Political career –

In 1956, Herb Robinson unsuccessfully stood as an independent candidate for the Legislative Assembly, gaining 20.4 percent of the vote in the seat of Maylands. He joined the Liberal Party the following year, and was elected to the Legislative Council in 1962, representing the three-member Suburban Province. In 1965, the existing Legislative Council provinces were abolished, and replaced by new two-member provinces. Robinson was appointed to the new North Metropolitan Province, serving a three-year term. He contested the seat in 1968, but lost to Labor’s Roy Claughton. Robinson was a Justice of the Peace from 1951 till 1985. In retirement he moved to Canberra, passing away in July 1990 at the age of 81. – Vale H. R. (Herb) Robinson. Footnote: The Robinson family were hands on theatre owners and show people. Most Saturday nights you would find a member of the family at either the Roxy or the Lyric acting as welcoming hosts in the old style, by positioning themselves at the theatre entrance door, and then fare welling the patrons as they left the show. Regretfully I have no further information on Miss M. I. Robinson the co-owner, and would welcome any contribution that would assist in completing the legend of The Roxy & Lyric theatres Maylands…. Greg Lynch