Dongara drive-in helps youth

by Vanessa Williams

April 25, 2008

FORGET DVDs and mp3s. Whatever happened to the good ol’ the drive-in cinema?

Becoming popular in the early 1950s, drive-in cinemas were a way for families to get together and enjoy a film in the privacy of their vehicles, rather than the open space of a theatre.

However, eventual declines in attendance over the 1970s and 80s, urban sprawl and modern technology, saw many drive-ins throughout WA and the world forced to shut-down.

Bucking the trend is the coastal town Dongara, about three hours drive north of Perth, which has concocted an innovative way of reviving its drive-in.

Operating since the mid 1960s, Dongara drive-in had seen a considerable decline in attendance over the years.

In a bid to turn around its fate, and bump up attendance, the drive-in was recently handed to the Irwin Youth Council, with a plan to donate proceeds toward youth programs.

 “Like any business, the drive-in needs reliable patronage,” Irwin Shire youth activities co-ordinator Christine Jarvie said. “We need at least 60 cars to continue playing movies, and when attendance numbers drop, the drive-in will need to be shut down.”

It’s mainly tourists and families from Dongara and nearby Geraldton that drive in to catch a flick under the stars.

“Drive-in cinemas are declining in popularity because customers want a variety of movies and a range of times to view them,” Ms Jarvie said. “Our gates open at 8pm, and there are only two films that screen on the night.

“We are at the end of our season now, and we had a good season for the most part.”

Ms Jarvie said she was still collecting profit and loss data, so was unsure how well the drive-in did financially this year.

However, from a community perspective the drive-in was successful, she said. Ticket sales supported youth activities and the kitchen sales often benefited a local sport or charity group.

Mrs Jarvie encouraged interlopers from Perth to visit the Dongara drive-in if they  were heading up North between November and May.

Dongara’s drive-in season closes at the end of April. For more information, visit