The following is an excerpt from ‘Tales of The Capricorn Coast Book 1’. It was published in 2019 and is available for purchase from the Capricorn Coast Historical Society.
“It only took 30 years from the establishment of the first film production company in the United Kingdom for Yeppoon to have its first picture theatre, just four years after Rockhampton. Commencing in 1911, Rockhampton’s first film theatre was established by the Carroll brothers of Ipswich in partnership with George and Mary Birch of Rockhampton.
“In 1923 they were joined by Virgil Coyle’s North Queensland Theatres. With local backing and financial support from Greater Union Theatres, they developed the Wintergarden picture palaces chain with Rockhampton’s Wintergarden built in 1925. The Birch, Carroll & Coyle chain still operates in Rockhampton.” Cryle, Denis (2010) “Regional Cinema”
