Our story
Preserving and Celebrating the Theatre Organ Since 1960
From a small gathering of enthusiasts in 1960, TOSA (Vic) has grown into one of Australia’s leading musical heritage organisations, preserving, restoring and presenting some of the nation’s most significant theatre organs. This timeline highlights key milestones in that journey.
1960
1960
Formation of the Society
The beginning of a remarkable journey
The Theatre Organ Society of Australia (Victorian Division) was formed in September 1960 following a series of interest meetings led by David Cross. Seven people attended the first gathering, with membership growing to 18 by September and reaching 38 by early 1961. Gordon Hamilton was elected as the Society’s first President, while founding committee members included Julien Arnold and Bruce Ardley, both of whom would remain active for many decades. The Society was established with the purpose of “preserving, restoring, maintaining and presenting the theatre pipe organ to the public.” By the mid-1970s, membership had grown to approximately 1,000–1,200 people, making TOSA (Vic) one of Australia’s largest musical preservation societies.
1963
1963
Capitol Wurlitzer Purchase
Rescuing a Melbourne icon
In 1963, TOSA (Vic) purchased the Wurlitzer Opus 637, a Style 260 3/15 unit orchestra organ, from Melbourne’s Capitol Theatre. This was the Society’s first major acquisition and marked a significant milestone in its evolution from a group of enthusiasts into a hands-on restoration and performance organisation. Removed and reinstalled entirely by volunteers, the organ became affectionately known as “Eliza” and would go on to serve as the Society’s principal concert instrument for many decades.
1963
1963
State Theatre Wurlitzer Preserved
Saving a giant for future generations
As cinema use declined, the Wurlitzer from Melbourne’s State Theatre was removed and acquired through the efforts of TOSA (Vic) members. The instrument was carefully placed into storage, ensuring its preservation and paving the way for its future installation at Moorabbin Town Hall. This early rescue effort protected one of Australia’s most significant theatre organs and secured its future for generations of performers and audiences.
1967
1967
Dendy Theatre Opening
A theatre organ finds its voice again
The Capitol Wurlitzer was officially opened at the Dendy Theatre, Brighton, in 1967 by noted organists Horace Weber and George Blackmore. The installation marked the Society’s first successful theatre organ venue and established the Dendy as its principal performance base. Progress was delayed when severe flooding and hailstorm damage affected the organ chambers during Christmas 1966. Volunteers continued restoration work in the evenings to minimise disruption to cinema operations. Over the following decades, the Dendy hosted concerts by leading Australian and international artists. The organ underwent major refurbishments in 1972 and 1984, followed by a complete rebuild between 2008 and 2010.
1970
1970
Moorabbin Town Hall Wurlitzer Opening
From cinema palace to community landmark
Following restoration and installation work by Society volunteers, opening concerts were held at Moorabbin Town Hall in May 1970, introducing the former State Theatre Wurlitzer to its new civic home. The concerts marked the beginning of the organ’s long association with the local community and established the venue as one of Australia’s leading centres for theatre organ performance.
1975
1975
Cinema North Opening
Expanding the Society's network of theatre organs
Following negotiations that began in 1971 with the management of Cinema North, TOSA (Vic) acquired a 2/9 Blackett & Howden theatre organ, originally from the Prince’s Theatre in North Shields, England, featuring a Christie console. Under the direction of Bill Worley and after four years of volunteer effort, the organ was officially opened at Cinema North, Reservoir, in February 1975. It became the Society’s third operational instrument and remained in use until the cinema closed in 1991. The organ was subsequently placed into storage before being rebuilt and installed at Coburg Town Hall.
1983-1988
1983-1988
Dendy Theatre Redevelopment and Reopening
Rebuilding and renewing a much-loved instrument
The original Dendy Theatre closed in December 1983 as part of a major redevelopment into the Brighton Village Twin Cinema complex. The Wurlitzer was dismantled and placed into storage while the theatre interior was demolished and rebuilt. During this period, the instrument underwent a substantial overhaul and refurbishment. Following completion of the redevelopment, the organ was reinstalled in Cinema One and officially reopened on 17 April 1988. Opening concerts featured Tony Fenelon, David Johnston, John Atwell, Kah Kit Yoong and Terezia Kalkbrenner, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the instrument.
1992
1992
Malvern Town Hall Compton Opens
A distinctive British theatre organ finds a new home
The Compton theatre organ was officially opened at Malvern Town Hall in 1992. Originally installed in the Ritz Theatre, Warrington, England, the instrument was rebuilt and voiced by the TOSA technical team under the leadership of John McLennan and Julien Arnold. Renowned for its rich tonal character and versatility, the organ became a popular concert instrument for artists including Thomas Heywood and Tony Fenelon. Further enhancements followed, with two additional ranks installed in 1998, a major console rebuild completed in 2001, converting stop actions to Syndyne SAMs and the addition of a Barton harp in 2003.
1998
1998
Kingston City Hall Heritage Listing
National recognition for a cultural treasure
The Kingston City Hall Wurlitzer (4/21), originally installed in Melbourne’s State Theatre in 1929, received National Trust of Australia (Victoria) classification in 1998. The instrument was recognised for its cultural significance, including its association with prominent theatre organists Arnold Coleman and Aubrey Whelan, and as the largest surviving theatre organ in Australia. Following a major rebuild completed in 2005, the instrument continues to be maintained by TOSA (Vic) on behalf of the City of Kingston.
1999
1999
Regent Theatre Wurlitzer Opens
Returning grand theatre organ music to Melbourne's CBD
The Regent Theatre’s 4/36 Wurlitzer, originally from the Paramount (later Granada) Theatre in San Francisco, was officially opened in concert in 1999. The instrument arrived in Australia in 1994, with restoration and installation taking place between 1995 and 1998. The project was largely undertaken by TOSA members under the leadership of Julien Arnold and Mark Arnold, with support from Marriner Theatres. TOSA members took on maintenance and tonal finishing responsibilities with assistance from Stephen Leslie and Kerry Bunn (Schantz Organ Co., USA) . The opening concerts featured Tony Fenelon and Lyn Larsen at the organ and grand piano. The installation marked the return of a major theatre organ to a commercial theatre in Melbourne after many decades.
2000
2000
Coburg Town Hall Opening
A new chapter for the former Cinema North organ
Following years of planning, rebuilding and relocation, the Blackett & Howden theatre organ from Cinema North was officially opened at Coburg Town Hall in early 2000. Led by Bill Worley and a dedicated volunteer team, the project involved seven years of intermittent work as plans evolved and council approvals were secured. The organ made its first public appearance during the 1999 TOSA (Vic) Convention before its formal opening. Following Bill Worley’s passing in 2002, responsibility for maintenance was taken on by Glenn Maus.
2008
2008
Wesley Centre Warragul Opening
Regional Victoria welcomes a revitalised Wurlitzer
The Wurlitzer at the Wesley Centre, Warragul, was officially opened in 2008. Originally built in 1924 as Wurlitzer Opus 792, Style D, the organ was expanded from its original 2/6 configuration to a 3/10 instrument. Acquired by the Warragul Theatre Organ Society, the installation was undertaken in collaboration with Julien Arnold, Neil Hunter, John McLennan and Neville Smith, affectionately known as “The Fab Four”. The opening concert featured Tony Fenelon and John Atwell.
2010
2010
Geelong College Wurlitzer Installation
Preserving a rare piece of Australia's musical heritage
In May 2010, a restored Wurlitzer theatre organ was officially opened in the Keith Humble Centre for Music and the Performing Arts at Geelong College. Originally built in 1921 as Wurlitzer’s Australian demonstration organ, it had previously resided for many years in the Hearne family home, “Montana”, in Geelong. The restoration was led by Julien Arnold and the TOSA (Vic) technical team, supported by benefactors Bert and Ruth Fagg and Alan Glover. The inaugural recital on 18 May 2010 was presented by Tony Fenelon.
2021
2021
Return to the Capitol