Sweet Finish: Restoring Liberty's Maple Doors
In February 2025 our volunteers restored two maple doors from the Liberty’s mezzanine foyer.
The Friends of the Liberty are bringing back the beautiful maple timber that originally furnished the Liberty Theatre in 1939.
On opening night in December 1939, Yass residents were greeted at the Liberty Theatre by the sight of four double-doors made of bleached polished maple wood, welcoming them to their new cinema. Now the Friends of the Liberty are now bringing back that beautiful timber.
Maple was everywhere in the Liberty, it was the timber of choice! And some of it remains today, if you look closely enough.
Over the years as tastes changed the maple bannisters have been painted but the timber beneath has remained, waiting to be revealed.
Following an eagle-eyed discovery, at the start of this year volunteer Friends of the Liberty restored two maple veneer doors from the cinema’s mezzanine foyer.
Volunteers removed layers of paint and finish from the doors. Surfaces were sanded, veneer fixed and holes patched with wood filler. Then the wood was sealed with a clear finish to display the honey coloured timber.
The doors have now been reinstalled in their original positions. Original hardware has been cleaned, polished and reattached with modern features sensitively added to improve accessibility.
While this was a small project careful changes like this help to reveal the Liberty’s original form and repairs ensure these original doors remain part of the building’s fabric for years to come.
All restoration efforts are made possible through the generosity of donors. If you’d like to support this important work to conserve the fabric of our town, please give now.
Help Save the LIberty
Be a part of something important and help support the Friends’ work in restoring the Liberty Theatre. Please donate today.
Parliamentary Recognition
On 15 November 2024, the Member of Parliament for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman MP, recognised the efforts of the Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre.
We are proud to have the support of leaders from across politics. Our project brings people together to enable the community to benefit once again from a historic treasure.
Ms Tuckerman recognised our efforts to restore and reviving the building to enable the community of Yass Valley to enjoy cinema, theatre, stage productions, and other performing arts once again. Her speech highlighted our initiative’s aims to bring tertiary education in the arts to the area, providing sound, film, video, and production experience for those seeking employment in these fields. I take this time to thank the Friends of the Liberty Theatre for their dedication and work undertaken to date.
The Friends of the Liberty Theatre thank Ms Tuckerman and look forward to continuing to work together with the NSW Government and NSW Parliament.
You can read Ms Wendy Tuckerman MP’s remarks on the NSW Parliament Hansard at this link - https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1323879322-148126.
The Architects of Liberty: Crick and Furse
The truly remarkable theatre in Yass was built by the two most important cinema and theatre designers of the era.
The truly remarkable theatre in Yass was built by the two most important cinema and theatre designers of the era.
Guy Crick and Bruce Furse were the architects of choice in the Australian theatre building scene in the 1930s. They were responsible for designing about 30 new theatres in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, and remodelled a further 50 existing buildings. The Liberty in Yass is one of only a few remaining today, including the Civic Theatre in Scone, and their collaborations with others on the Metro Theatre in Potts Point and the Piccadilly Theatre in North Adelaide.
Both halves of the renowned partnership were Australian born and educated.
Guy Crick was a Tasmanian who studied between Melbourne and Hobart, first working on large concrete industrial buildings. In 1924, at 23 years old, he moved to Sydney to begin working on theatre construction and design, establishing relationships with the major theatre companies which me maintained up until the early 1960s.
Gerald William Bruce Furse was born in Strathfield, NSW in 1906. He passed the registration examination of the Board of Architects NSW in 1933 and only one year later, in 1934, he went into partnership with Guy Crick.
It was during the next six years that Australian theatre architecture was to be dominated by the name of ‘Crick and Furse’ and their practice “enjoyed a spectacular success , as one trade journal expressed it in 1940.
Each cinema was designed to give an atmosphere of intimacy and congenial comfort. The futuristic features of the exterior are highlighted by the balanced use of tube neon lighting. But Guy Crick especially was also interested in the interior design of his works. He stressed the need for good organisation of the building progress, that good acoustics could be provided without great quantities of sound absorbent material.
Crick and Furse dominated the Australian theatre architecture until the partnership was terminated in 1940 during WWII.
During the War, Guy Crick served in the Australian Imperial Force in New Guinea as an architect and engineer before returning to private practice afterwards. He worked in both Sydney and Brisbane and he spent his last decade in Brisbane, passing away in 2007.
Meanwhile Bruce Furse was co-opted to wartime construction jobs in Bathurst and Lithgow, before supervising the construction of US Army bases in Brisbane and Sydney. After an accident in 1954 he was unable to continue his architectural career. He died in 1967.
No complete count has ever been done of Crick and Furse's theatre buildings, however, many were demolished between 1970-1980. Yass’ own Liberty Theatre is a special rarity, with original exterior and interior features surviving.
Help Save the Liberty
We need your help to save, purchase and restore the Liberty. Donate now before it’s too late and we lose this architectural treasure forever.
Treasure Underfoot: Liberty's Lavish Carpets
The Liberty Theatre in Yass was built and opened in December 1939 and the building today contains many original features. One of these is the original green carpet which still lines the aisles in the upstairs dress circle.
The Liberty Theatre in Yass was built and opened in December 1939 and the building today contains many original features. One of these is the original green carpet which still lines the aisles in the upstairs dress circle.
The green and fawn-coloured carpet with feather motifs was commissioned by the original owner and was supplied and laid by Grace Bros Pty Ltd., the department store based in Sydney. Grace Bros established a London buying office in 1908 to buy directly from English manufacturers and would import some of it’s stock.
The carpet was specially imported by the firm and woven for the Liberty Theatre, exclusive in design and quality. But World War II had caused a delay in the delivery of the carpets as the ship had to be re-routed and travel in a convoy. The carpet arrived from England in Sydney just one week before opening night, on Friday 15 December 1939, and was laid just days before the big unveiling.
In early March 1955, the carpets received a refresh. The new owners spent close to £2000 on new carpets at the Liberty, which is approximately $117,400 today. But, on the very first Saturday night one man walked around the vestibule and up one stairway leaving at least a dozen large black oily footprints on the new carpet.
The 1955 carpets currently remain in the upstairs vestibule and feature a silver palm frond and assorted small flower designs set on a rich red background. These are likely Axminster carpets, and are typical of designs found in contemporary trade catalogues. Axminster carpets were originally handknotted pile carpet produced in large squares, although this process was mechanised in the 20th century. The tufted wool pile was fixed under the linen warp and secured by the linen weft. Axminsters were noted for their rich velvety appearance and were produced in England and in Australia.
The research into these carpets would not have been possible without the assistance of the staff at the Caroline Simpson Library at the Museums of History New South Wales. The Trove service, run by the National Library of Australia, also proved crucial at piecing together the history of the interiors.
In September this year, former committee member, Ben Lawrence, met with the specialist staff at the Museums of History New South Wales to learn more about the carpets and their manufacture. The museum staff helped in the research by showing off their collection of contemporaneous carpet samples as examples of colours used in the relevant periods.
The remaining samples of the Liberty Theatre’s wool carpets are located in the upstairs areas indoors out of the sunlight, meaning the colours were likely very similar to their original manufacture. Making these very special textiles to treasure.
Annual update delivers accountability and progress
In 2024, the Friends of the Liberty have achieved major improvements to ensure the association is ready to restore and manage the iconic 1939 Art Deco theatre.
In 2024, the Friends of the Liberty have achieved major improvements to ensure the association is ready to restore and manage the iconic 1939 Art Deco theatre.
Members heard updates on efforts to return cinema to the Yass Valley shortly, with the Committee confirming that screen and digital projection equipment have been ordered.
The organisation has now also attained deductible gift recipient status and is now listed on the Australian Government’s Register of Cultural Organisations. Vice-Chair, Jo Mulligan, reflected that achieving deductible gift recipient status is an important step for the future of the organisation:
“Now our donors will be rewarded for their generosity and can rest assured that our organisation is being held accountable to the highest standard.
This year several highly qualified members have joined us either on an advisory capacity or on the committee. We welcome additional members, if you are interested, please get in touch.”
Donors can now deduct the amount of their donation to the Friends of the Liberty Theatre from their taxable income when they lodge their tax return.
To support the association’s next phase and ensure transparency, the website has been updated so people can find information and more easily get involved.
The annual meeting on Sunday 11 August included updates from the 2023 Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer on the association’s activities. There were opportunities for questions from all attending, the presentation of financial reports and the election of the 2024 Committee.
Congratulations to our re-elected office bearers and welcome to our new committee members. Thank you to outgoing committee members Mark Norton, Ian McClung and Ben Lawrence.
The meeting agreed to increase the price of annual membership. Effective 1 July 2025, an individual membership will cost $30, family memberships will be $60, and corporate memberships will be $275 per annum.
March Newsletter
Your committee has been working hard over the months to secure final quotes for the Cinema, and the electricity which needs to be upgraded to facilitate the film equipment.
Dear Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc.
Your committee has been working hard over the months to secure final quotes for the Cinema, and the electricity which needs to be upgraded to facilitate the film equipment. The electrical expenses are covered by our grant from Create NSW.
Our energy is focusing on raising funds to purchase the Liberty building, as once it is in Community ownership it will be easier to source grant funding from both Federal and State Governments towards the ultimate restoration.
The Committee have booked a site at the Yass Show on the 16th of March, near the entrance to the Round House. Yass Repertory will be sharing the site as we all have common goals in entertainment and education for the residents of, and visitors to, the Yass Valley LGA. We welcome anyone just popping by for a chat or to assist on site. The Committee would like to recruit some new members, especially someone to take over the job of Secretary.
The Repertory Society is about to commence rehearsals for 2 one act plays that will be performed from May 11 for 7 performances in the Liberty Theatre.
See you at the Yass Show
Bimbi Turner (President) together with your committee
November Newsletter
There has been much discussion and quotes on the cinema equipment and it's moving along well. Old lighting will be removed from the theatre and the association has a number of upcoming events.
Although you you haven't had an update recently your committee are continuing with the goal of having the equipment installed for film showing in the early new year, it all takes time with quotes and availablity etc.
We are also getting into public places to encourage our growing support.
There was a fun evening on September 26th with music by Thin White Ukes playing David Bowie. Ian McClung ran a successful auction with donated goods and night raised $1300 approx for the Friend's and for the Theatre.
Later that week on the 30th Sept. we had an information stall next to Yass Repertory at the Cliftonwood open day, and spoke with a number of interested folk and several joined the Friends. We welcome these new members and look forward to any input, especially a volunteer to be secretary!!
There has been much discussion and quotes on the cinema equipment and it's moving along well. The Yass Repertory will commence removing their old lights etc in the coming week.
Several weeks we accepted four upholstered chairs from the St. Augustine's Parish council, the chairs reputed to have come from the Liberty's upstairs lounge. We are most grateful to have them back in the Theatre.
Sunday 12th November, Kim and Bimbi Turner will have their large Silverdale garden open for charity, possibly do the last time. The gate takings and a raffle are going to the Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc.
Bookham/Berramangra and Yass Red Cross branches are selling Devonshire teas, sandwiches and slices. Yass Rotary is running the barbecue. The Chameleon Ice cream van will also selling delicious ice creams.
There will be various stalls, and Kim wine, honey, alpaca fine gifts, garden sculptures, plants, jams and olive oil from the huge aprox 160year+ Olive tree in the garden.
We hope many of you will come with friends and family and enjoy a relaxed day in a country garden which is wheelchair accessible, with seats scattered throughout.
With Christmas approaching the committee has discussed having an information stall at the Yass evening markets on December 15, also whether we wood have a "Float" in the street parade, we welcome any suggestions and assistance!!
Ben and Jo are keeping the Facebook upto date so please don't forget to check it and Like It.
We will endeavour to keep you update with another newsletter before Christmas.
Take care all.
Bimbi Turner, Chair
The Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc
Back to the pictures for Yass at the Liberty Theatre
The Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc. will benefit from $250,000 in funding for the installation of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment to enable the showing of movies thanks to the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program.
Friends of the Liberty Theatre with Wendy Tuckerman MP.
The Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc. will benefit from $250,000 in funding for the installation of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment to enable the showing of movies thanks to the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program.