Sun Picture Gardens

Author

Shire of Broome

Place Number

00293

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Location

8 Carnarvon St Broome

Location Details

REGISTERED AS INDIVIDUAL PLACE ALSO REGISTERED AS PART OF 291

Other Name(s)

Dry Goods Store
Sun Picture Theatre

Local Government

Broome

Region

Kimberley

Construction Date

Constructed from 1916

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	28 Aug 2014
State Register	Registered	09 Feb 1996	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Art Deco Significant Bldg Survey	Completed				Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust	Classified	08 Mar 1983			Heritage Council
Register of the National Estate	Permanent	18 Apr 1989			Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	28 Aug 2014	Grading A	Grading A A place of exceptional cultural heritage significance to Shire of Broome and the state of Western Australia, that is either in the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s Register of Heritage Places, or worthy of consideration for entry into the Register. A place worthy of recognition and protection through provisions of the Shire of Broome’s Town Planning Scheme. Recommend: Maximum encouragement to owners to retain and conserve the place. Full consultation with property owner prior to making the recommendation.

Parent Place or Precinct

00291 Chinatown Conservation Area

Statement of Significance

Sun Picture Gardens, a rare example of a purpose built picture garden still in commercial operation. It is one of the oldest operating picture gardens in Australia. It is an integral and distinctive part of Broome’s social life, contributing greatly to the community’s sense of place and identity.

Physical Description

Double volume street frontage featuring a double gable clad with horizontal corrugated iron. The front is two levels with an outdoor (uncovered) seated area and recent screen and double storey accomodation facility at rear of the site.

History

Sun Picture Gardens was built in 1916, as a half-open and half-roofed cinema. The site was originally occupied by the Yamasaki emporium, which sold Asian foodstuffs, clothing and household goods. Master pearler Ted Hunter purchased the site and had Claude Hawkes design a cinema suitable for the Broome's climate. The place could accommodate 1,500 people. It opened on 6 December 1916 and segregated seating according to nationality continued until 1967. A moveable stage on tramlines was added in 1926 and used for school concerts. It was moved behind the screen in the early 1940s and converted to caretaker's quarters. In 1953, J. & P. Haynes leased the place and operated for 28 years. In 1981, after television was introduced to Broome, Sun Picture Gardens closed due to low attendances. In 1982, Lord McAlpine bought it and reopened. In 1987, Anthony Hutchinson and Marisa Ferraz purchased it and restored it and established Sun Pictures International Film Society showing films outside mainstream. The decline in television and video popularity in the mid 1990s, saw a resurgence in cinemas. Sun Picture Gardens is also a concert and wedding venue and is a tourism destination.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Extensive restoration, and new construction at the rear, in recent years.

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
4153	Sun Pictures, Broome : conservation plan.	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	1999
4603	Sun Picture Theatre : Broome, W.A. : conservation works final report : grant allocation 1999/2000.	Report	2000
4366	Conservation Works Sun Picture Theatre: Final Report	Report	2000
4090	Sun Pictures Broome Conservation Works First Stage: Final Report	Report	1999
9587	Broome heritage trail.	Heritage Study {Other}	1988
9462	A pearler's wife: chapter extraction from 'A pearling master's journey'.	Book	2009
9600	Broome: maps and places of heritage interest.	Heritage Study {Other}	0
8335	Historic buildings of the Kimberley region of W.A.	Book	1988
924	Reflections of the Sun: a short history of the Sun Picture Gardens.	Heritage Study {Other}	1991

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Theatre or Cinema
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Theatre or Cinema

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Wall	TIMBER	Other Timber

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

31 Mar 2021

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.