THE Saraton Theater in Grafton will proudly display a blue plaque recognizing the achievement of the theatre’s founders, Ioannis (Jack) and Antonios (Tony) Notaras.
One of fourteen new Blue Plaque recipients in New South Wales, the program highlights significant people and events that have contributed to the state’s rich history.
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Greek immigrant businessmen, Jack (1892-1962) and Tony (1895-1991), are well known locally for establishing what is today a historic and still thriving local theater, one of thirteen “cinemas » in original condition in the country towns of New South Wales which is still running.
The new plaques were chosen from 117 nominations submitted by the public and evaluated by independent historians.
They join more than 30 plaques already in place across NSW.
Saraton Theatre’s Anthea Toda, Tony’s granddaughter, shared some of Jack and Tony’s story with News Of The Area.
In 1900, Lambrinos Notaras, a father of five living on the Greek island of Kythera, made the decision to emigrate to Australia alone in search of work and a better life for his family.
He was able to get his sons Ioannis (Jack) and Antonios (Tony) to join him in the businesses he operated.
In 1909 they opened the Marble Bar café on Prince Street, Grafton.
As was common at the time, they learned English in the evening after standing all day at the café.
When Lambrinos returned to Greece in 1912, the brothers formed a partnership that lasted more than 50 years.
Jack and Tony saw the popularity of cinemas in country towns at the time and built the Saraton Theater in 1926.
To do this, they had to borrow $10 million in today’s money.
The Saraton Theater was named following a local competition in which the winner suggested it be named The Saraton – meaning Notaras spelled backwards.
The Notaras brothers oversaw Grafton’s main entertainment venue, a venue frequented by locals at a time when there were no registered clubs, no hotels open in the evenings, no television and virtually no professional sport.
Over the next 70 years, it was renovated twice and survived three fires, numerous floods, the Great Depression and several years of closure.
When Saraton opened in 1926, Grafton Mayor W.T. Robinson praised the brothers for showing that they “appreciated the value of the neighborhood and were willing to do whatever it took to make Grafton a better place to live.” live “.
Their children remember the brothers as hardworking and fair businessmen.
They were civic-minded, involved in the community and well known for their fishing prowess.
In 1940, during the dark times of World War II, a major renovation was carried out by the Notaras family.
Speaking at the reopening, Prime Minister Sir Earle Page said: “I am sure that in these times we will think more clearly, work better, plan more clearly if we mix work and play.”
In 2008, Angelo Notaras OAM (son of Tony) and his brothers, the late Mitchell and John, along with his late cousin Spiro (son of Jack), purchased the theater from extended family and began work on its complete restoration and in-depth.
The final cost exceeded $4 million.
In 2011, the Notaras family received the National Trust Heritage Award in the Business/Government category for the renovation of the Saraton Theatre.
Their work has been described as reflecting their commitment to the city where they grew up – its history, its heritage and its future.
The Notaras family continues to play an important role in entertaining the residents of Grafton and the Northern Rivers region, not only with the latest film releases, but also with world-class shows, local events and concerts.
To find out more, visit the Blue Plaques NSW website https://blueplaques.nsw.gov.au/.
By Andrea FERRARI