Community & Business
17 March, 2025
So What is it?
In last week’s Allora Advertiser a reader was interested in what the “upside down bucket’ was on top of our Community Hall.
A couple of locals had similar answers -
Perry Cronin - it’s a light beacon - most picture theatres had them years ago and looked great when working. Perry approached the Council in the hope the “tourist attraction” may operate again.
John Cowley - remembers the “bucket” being a neon light and would be turned on only when a movie was showing at the Theatre.
At the time the theatre was owned by Hector Herbert Hungerford who had purchased it from Peter Stewart’s father.
When Hector passed away the theatre was sold to the Council.
Hector’s daughter Ruth Hungerford can remember the old stable doors at Allora were replaced by glass ones and there was a ladies room and office on the right near the entrance.
Her father was an Electrician so she’s not surprised that a neon light operated on the roof.
At the Clifton Theatre her dad had installed green and white neon lights down the front of the theatre that lit up when movies were showing.
Ruth still operates the Clifton Theatre and shows old movies twice a month.
DVDs have replaced Projectors but movies are still shown on the full screen with patrons slipping back in time to cuddle up in deck or director’s canvas chairs.
