One curious oddity that stuck with me since the first time I visited the Australian capital of Canberra was this very vintage sign for a drive-in theatre.

The Starlight Drive-In at Watson opened in January 1957 by George Kimlin as the ACT's first drive-in theatre. The drive-in theatre had in-car speakers and a screen claimed to be one of the biggest in Australia at the time. It operated for three solid decades until its closure in 1993. The drive in was eventually demolished and replaced with a townhouse complex named Starlight Apartments - - all that remained was the deteriorating sign.

In 2012 the sign was blown down in a storm. The sign itself was made in 1956 in Sydney, and is thought to be the only original drive-in theatre sign in the country still in its original location, according to Planning Minister Mick Gentleman. After it was smashed down, it was stored away in a council depot in Fyshwick. After locals launched an online petition to restore the sign in its original location with the help of $50, 000 to repair the damage done, the sign was reinstalled in October 2015.

Melbourne became the first Australian city to get a drive in theatre in 1954.

Source: The Canberra Times; Sydney Morning Herald; Cinema Treasures; ABC News.

Tags:   sign signage relic remain ruin reminder cinema theatre drive-in movie movies pictures history historic heritage canberra australian capital territory australia

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Rising 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, the Telstra Tower presents 360 degree views of the city and the Brindabella Ranges. Visitors taking advantage of he two open viewing platforms or the enclosed viewing gallery are presented with striking views of the city by day. From every angle at night the theatrics of the city's lights under the darkened sky provide a spectacular show of natural beauty and entertainment.

As well as offering visitors education, entertainment and spectacular views, the Telstra Tower has a functional role. The Telstra Tower provides essential communications facilities for the National Capital, including major trunk line radio telephony facilities, television transmitters for national and commercial services, FM radio transmitters, mobile radio telephone, and cellular phone base stations.

This elegant Tower on the summit of Black Mountain has won two awards for outstanding design. The first in 1979, for imaginative and effective use of concrete in a building. The Tower won its second award, the 1980 Civic Design Award of the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

The Tower incorporates a theatrette, cafe and gift shop and the Executive Briefing Centre; meeting rooms with state of the art AV, spectacular views and free parking.

Since opening in 1980, Telstra Tower has continually created an attraction of immense fascination and appeal, marking it one of the National Capital's most popular tourist and local attractions.

Source: Telstra.

Tags:   telstra telecom telecommunication tower radio broadcast signal landmark icon history historic heritage canberra australian capital territory australia

© All Rights Reserved

Rising 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, the Telstra Tower presents 360 degree views of the city and the Brindabella Ranges. Visitors taking advantage of he two open viewing platforms or the enclosed viewing gallery are presented with striking views of the city by day. From every angle at night the theatrics of the city's lights under the darkened sky provide a spectacular show of natural beauty and entertainment.

As well as offering visitors education, entertainment and spectacular views, the Telstra Tower has a functional role. The Telstra Tower provides essential communications facilities for the National Capital, including major trunk line radio telephony facilities, television transmitters for national and commercial services, FM radio transmitters, mobile radio telephone, and cellular phone base stations.

This elegant Tower on the summit of Black Mountain has won two awards for outstanding design. The first in 1979, for imaginative and effective use of concrete in a building. The Tower won its second award, the 1980 Civic Design Award of the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

The Tower incorporates a theatrette, cafe and gift shop and the Executive Briefing Centre; meeting rooms with state of the art AV, spectacular views and free parking.

Since opening in 1980, Telstra Tower has continually created an attraction of immense fascination and appeal, marking it one of the National Capital's most popular tourist and local attractions.

Source: Telstra.

Tags:   telstra telecom telecommunication tower radio broadcast signal landmark icon history historic heritage canberra australian capital territory australia

© All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

Rising 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, the Telstra Tower presents 360 degree views of the city and the Brindabella Ranges. Visitors taking advantage of he two open viewing platforms or the enclosed viewing gallery are presented with striking views of the city by day. From every angle at night the theatrics of the city's lights under the darkened sky provide a spectacular show of natural beauty and entertainment.

As well as offering visitors education, entertainment and spectacular views, the Telstra Tower has a functional role. The Telstra Tower provides essential communications facilities for the National Capital, including major trunk line radio telephony facilities, television transmitters for national and commercial services, FM radio transmitters, mobile radio telephone, and cellular phone base stations.

This elegant Tower on the summit of Black Mountain has won two awards for outstanding design. The first in 1979, for imaginative and effective use of concrete in a building. The Tower won its second award, the 1980 Civic Design Award of the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

The Tower incorporates a theatrette, cafe and gift shop and the Executive Briefing Centre; meeting rooms with state of the art AV, spectacular views and free parking.

Since opening in 1980, Telstra Tower has continually created an attraction of immense fascination and appeal, marking it one of the National Capital's most popular tourist and local attractions.

Source: Telstra.

Tags:   telstra telecom telecommunication tower radio broadcast signal landmark icon history historic heritage canberra australian capital territory australia

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