Cinema champions celebrated

In a playful nod to their practical skills and years of material service to the project, both Mr Mustica and Mr Harris were given the job of fixing the signs bearing their names to the wall.

Cobram Community Cinema secretary and treasurer Rob Morey said the acknowledgements of Mr Mustica’s and Mr Harris’ contributions were well received.

“We’ve really been lucky to recognise three people — Trevor Hocking, Libro Mustica and Wayne Harris — who have made a really significant contribution to what the cinema is today,” Mr Morey told The Courier.

In February, the committee celebrated the naming of the Trevor Hocking Room, named after the man who dedicated many years’ service to the project and the broader Cobram community.

Like Mr Hocking, both Mr Mustica and Mr Harris have made outsized contributions to the building and operation of the cinema.

“Libro definitely needed to be recognised for playing a huge part in what the cinema is today,” Mr Morey said.

“He took ownership of the project from the offset and basically moulded the building to what it is today with no additional cost to the cinema. Libro continues to support us, and his passion and commitment to us and indeed our community is unparalleled.”

As a main builder for the project, Mr Mustica’s contributions include the installation of an office, a mezzanine floor and two projector rooms.

He also came up with the idea of a walkway, mended the floor and corrected the boundaries of the building — often at his own expense.

Mr Harris, in turn, brought over 35 years’ experience with the Hoyts cinema company to the Cobram Community Cinema, lending the project a distinct advantage.

“Wayne opened many doors in the industry, allowing access to second-hand screens, seats and other smaller equipment as well as introducing valuable cinema contacts, technicians and film distributors,” Mr Morey said.

“Wayne continues to support us in his role as deputy chairperson and cinema adviser. He is the reason why our cinema works so well.”