The First Country Talkie Theatre in Queensland! Remembering the Delta Theatre

Established over a century ago, the Delta Tropical Theatre, also known as the Olympia Theatre, opened its Queen Street doors on Friday, 23 September 1910. The beloved Burdekin establishment homed waves of live entertainment from exquisite balls and dancing performances to meetings, and even skating, before introducing the screening of silent movies in 1912.

Built alongside the Delta Hotel, the Delta Tropical Theatre was constructed and designed by David Edwards, and Fred Smith in May of 1910 to host over eight hundred patrons. David carried out additional renovations in 1914 to allow for a total of 1,400 patrons to indulge in the joys and magic of the Theatre.

In 1931, the Delta Theatre was prestigiously considered as the Best Country Theatre in Queensland due to its historical achievement of being the first Country Theatre to be wired for “talking pictures” in 1929 under the management of Mr Robert W. Edwards.

A fond memory reminisced upon by some was sitting on the Delta’s canvas seats, watching the official 1953 crowning of Queen Elizabeth II, or simply meeting with friends each week like clockwork to catch a Friday night movie.

A Saturday night saw Queen Street closed off to traffic to host a wonderful evening of community festivities with locals flooding in to enjoy raffle wheels, the Three Graces Café’s ice cream sundaes, a pastry from Horrie Crowdey’s Pie Cart, and comment on the flash new cars stationed in the centre car parks.

In its later years, the Cinema screened many movie premiers, attracting crowds of locals of all ages, with some premiers held as fundraisers for community-based organisations and schools. Holding a position at the Delta became a first job for many young students, as well as an enjoyable role for retirees, with some picking up a shift, punching tickets, cleaning or serving as a doorman here and there.

The Delta Theatre experienced a thirty-nine-year hiatus in 1961, closing its doors on Saturday 29 July following the screening of “That Kind of Woman” and “Accused of Murder” until Burdekin born, professional Australian golfer, Karri Webb, bought the establishment, re-opening the theatre as the Burdekin Delta Cinemas in 2000.

Karri’s parents, Evelyn and Robert Webb of Webco Builders oversaw and carried out extensive renovations of the building with the support of Asa Suters and Alasdair MacEachern of Progress Consultants.

Coinciding with the retirement of Evelyn and Robert, the Burdekin Delta Cinemas concluded its final screening the week of the 14 July 2021.

Much to the sadness of the community, many took the official closure as an opportunity to share their immense gratitude to the Webb family for continuing the traditions of their childhood for the next generation.
Today, 114 years on from its debut in the Burdekin Shire, many still reminisce on their memories with the infamous Delta, expressing what an amazing, and nostalgic building stands at 145 – 149 Queen Street, Ayr.

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The Delta Theatre as it stood in 1937.
The Delta Theatre’s stunning 1900s interior.
The Delta Theatre building still stands in Queen Street, 114 years on from its establishment.

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