Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Hi Readers,
I thought I’d share a little history of the JL Kelly Theatre, along with an update on where things currently stand.
The JL Kelly Theatre has long been one of the cultural heartbeats of our district. Many of us have walked through its doors over the years whether it was to watch a movie, attend a school concert, enjoy a theatre performance, or take part in a community gathering.
The building first opened in 1953 as the JL Kelly Memorial Hall, named in honour of James Laurence Kelly, a respected Chairman of the Hinchinbrook Shire Council who served the community for many years. The hall was created as a tribute to his leadership and dedication to the people of the district.
In its early days, the building was much more than just a hall. The upper floor housed the town library, while the downstairs area was used for meetings, functions and community events. It quickly became a central gathering place for the Herbert River community dances, celebrations and social events that brought people together.
As the years passed and the needs of the community changed, the building evolved as well. In 1987, the hall underwent a major redevelopment and reopened as the JL Kelly Theatre, transforming it into the performance venue many of us know today.
Since then, the theatre has continued to play an important role in the life of our shire.
I know many of you are really missing the cinema experience — and trust me, I am too.
As many are aware, insurance claims can take time, but we’ve now cleared that hurdle. We are moving ahead with two separate projects at the JL Kelly Theatre to get the venue back to its best.
The first project focuses on restoring the theatre itself following flood damage. Works will include replacing moisture-affected flooring, restoring seating, addressing mould, and repairing interior finishes to bring the space back to at least its February 2025 flood standard.
This insurance-funded tender is now open and closes on 18 March 2026, marking an important step toward welcoming everyone back into the theatre.
A separate project will deliver a much-needed refurbishment of the theatre foyer to improve the overall visitor experience at one of Hinchinbrook’s most valued venues. This work will begin following the remediation works.
The foyer upgrade will be delivered through the Works for Queensland Program, proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
Together, these two projects will help restore and improve the J.L. Kelly Theatre so the community can once again enjoy movies, performances and events in a refreshed and welcoming space.
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