General News
12 June, 2025
Star Theatre ready to change hands
Dimboola's historical Star Theatre has the potential to be sold into new hands as owners are taking expressions of interest for the building.
Built in 1924, the Star Theatre originally sat 550 people and is one of the last surviving original picture theatres in the Wimmera.
It was known as the Regent Theatre from 1951 before it returned to its original name.
The venue has hosted decades of cinema screenings, dances, public meetings and concerts including the world premiere of the Australian movie named 'Dimboola' in 1979.
Recently, the Star Theatre has hosted art exhibitions, entertainment for the Wimmera Steampunk Festival and other local performances.
The building is currently owned by a group of friends that are spread around Victoria, Darwin and even Greece, who knew each other through charity work for a Cambodian school, a young widows support group and, shared creative and community interests.
Co-owner Dee McVeigh is originally from Melbourne but has long connections to Dimboola through attending rowing regatta from the mid 90's and in the early 2000's.
"That connection eventually led me to buy a fixer-upper house in town and spend more time here, falling in love with the local community, geographic uniqueness and its historic buildings," she said.
They purchased it in 2019 from Mary and Ken Clarke and had big plans to revive it as a regional venue for weddings, events, performances and community use.
"The building spoke to us, it’s so rare to find a structure with this much character and potential," Ms McVeigh said.
"When COVID-19 hit, our momentum was derailed and our working capital eroded."
The group was ineligible for Covid financial support due to it being a new business venture.
"I was called back to full-time work leading a Covid response team for the Department of Health," she said.
"Over time, our group’s careers and commitments evolved, and although it’s been a hard decision, we’ve made the commitment to pass our dream on, if the right person comes along.
"We feel deeply privileged to be part of its story, even briefly, and we’re hopeful that someone else will be inspired to carry it forward."
The Star Theatre is still home to two vintage film projectors, a projection room, pressed tin ceilings throughout, an elegant entrance hall with polished jarrah flooring, a main hall with a tilted acoustic pine stage, two large rear dressing rooms, a multi-use room and a private backyard.
"There’s also a shopfront at the front of the theatre currently leased to Rural Industries, along with separate office space," Ms McVeigh said.
"There is still work to do to restore the theatre to her best.
"It will give joy for years to come."
The group is now privately accepting expressions of interest and Ms McVeigh said they have already had strong early interest.
"We’re open to a variety of options: whether that’s an outright sale, a full lease, or even booking the space for events in the meantime," she said.
"As this is an open EOI we’re not putting a price guide on the property as it’s such a unique and hard-to-come-by asset—there’s nothing else quite like it in the region.
"However, for the right buyer with the right vision, offers in excess of the mid-$200,000s would be considered."
Ms McVeigh said the group would love to see the Star Theatre "come alive again".
"Whether as a cinema, event space, music venue, artist retreat, or creative business," she said.
"Locals regularly stop and tell us their memories: seeing their first movie here, dancing on the stage, performing school plays.
"It’s a building filled with stories and warmth.
"The theatre is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a place that holds memories, laughter and possibility.
"We’re excited to see what the next chapter holds, and we’re ready to support the right buyer, tenant or event organiser who wants to bring new energy into this very special space."
For more information or to express interest in the site, contact Ms McVeigh on 0427 335 463 or email stardimboola@gmail.com