Alex Padovan and Kristy Randall with Narooma Kinema’s former manager Jade Griffiths. Photo: Marion Williams.
Narooma Kinema’s many patrons will be relieved to learn that the new managers are very aligned with the Griffiths family who have run it so successfully for 23 years.
Its former manager Jade Griffiths has sold the Narooma Kinema business to Tilba residents Kristy Randall and her husband Alex Padovan.
Ms Randall is bubbling with enthusiasm about taking over the reins of the beloved institution that is such a community and social hub.
Ms Randall’s parents and grandparents have lived in the area on and off for years, so Ms Randall has been coming down here since birth.
Her grandfather and uncles were regulars at the Narooma Bowling Club and other family members were frequent players at Narooma Golf Course.
Ms Randall has always had a huge passion for the performing arts, theatre, dance and film. While living in London she soaked up the film festivals and put on pantomimes.
“It has always been in me, although my career has been in IT and marketing,” she said.
John and Janette Griffiths (front) with Jade Griffiths and Jenni Bourke, president of Narooma School of Arts. Photo: Narooma School of Arts.
Ms Randall also has the advantage of a sister, Nat Randall, and sister-in-law Anna Breckon, being practising artists.
“They were a big part of the move because I have the passion and Alex has the IT skills for a digital cinema, but I need that extra weight behind me for programming and performing,” she said.
Her family have been going to the Kinema for years and her sister and brother-in-law got married there 10 years ago, the only wedding held there in its 100-year history. Ms Randall remembers Ms Griffiths’ grandparents made the cinema so special for the wedding.
She said that they took on the Kinema cautiously, wanting a smooth transition for the community.
“It is a big risk, and it didn’t happen quickly,” Ms Randall said. “In this climate of cost-of-living pressures, growth in streaming and competition for people’s attention, we were wary, but I think we are at a juncture where we need to commune instead of having everything at our fingertips and feeling lonely.”
The fact the Griffiths have run it for 23 years with Ms Griffiths taking it on at the age of 23 and growing it while programming “amazing” films gives Ms Randall confidence.
“We have many people on this, and Jade did it all herself, and the storms she has weathered with the bushfires, COVID and writers’ strike and looked after her staff,” she said. “Jade has such passionate staff. It is rare.”
Alex Padovan and Kristy Randall with Narooma Kinema’s former manager Jade Griffiths. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Randall reassures everyone they will retain the Kinema as a film-first institution and continue the great programming of Ms Griffiths and her grandparents.
She is also aware of how versatile the space is, how much character it has, and that live music goes down very well with patrons.
“We intend to increase live music and live performances just as the Griffiths did,” Ms Randall said. “We would love to see some theatre, poetry and book readings and comedians, so it is a place to have humans on the stage, in addition to film content.”
She is looking forward to working with the building’s manager, Narooma School of Arts, and is excited the precinct will become a big arts hub when the almost complete Narooma Arts Centre opens.
Ms Griffiths has had time to work through the feelings of leaving something that has been part of her life for 23 years and is relieved it is going to people with the right skills and with family to support them.
“We keep saying it feels like fate, that it was meant to be,” Ms Griffiths said. “I am excited for my next chapter, their next chapter and the Kinema’s next chapter.
“The community would be very disappointed it if wasn’t sold to someone who would maintain its integrity,” she said. “So many people have sentimental attachments to it.”
Ms Randall is overwhelmed by the generosity and gratitude the community has been showing Ms Griffiths. Her grandmother Janette will continue to visit the Kinema ensuring the family’s 23-year thread is maintained.
“We are so lucky to be selected to take on the baton,” Ms Randall said. “It isn’t just a business, but a community and we will continue to foster that.”
They both commented how the changing of the guard coincided with the 100th anniversary of the opening of the building, the Narooma Soldiers Memorial School of Arts, that the Kinema occupies. “It is like it has a mind of its own,” Ms Griffiths said.
