Copyright (2011) Greg Punch

mesmerised a capacity audience with stories about his acting career, relationships with the public, and above all his "love affair" with the Roxy cinema - "one of the great venues to play in, in Australia".

John Wood's Kytherian-Greek alias is Yianni Ksilo.

BIOGRAPHY

Born 14 July 1946 (1946-07-14) (age 64)
Melbourne, Australia
Occupation Actor, writer
Years active 1967 – present

Known for his leading roles in Rafferty's Rules (1987–1990) and in Blue Heelers (1994–2006)

John Wood (born 14 July 1946 in Melbourne) is a Gold Logie Award-winning Australian actor, best known for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon in the Seven Network's long running police drama Blue Heelers.

TV career

Wood began his acting career in 1967, where he had a guest role in Bellbird, an Australian television series. He then appeared in several Australian drama series and mini-series in minor roles. John also wrote eleven episodes of the series Prisoner. It wasn't until 1987 that John Wood became a well-known actor, taking the lead in Rafferty's Rules, as magistrate Michael Rafferty. Wood twice won a Logie for "Most Outstanding Actor" for his role in the show during its four seasons.

In 1994 Wood landed a leading role in Blue Heelers as Tom Croydon. This show became a big hit in Australia. As well as starring in the show, he also wrote several episodes. The show was finally cancelled in 2006, and Wood is one of only two actors (the other being Julie Nihill) to star in Blue Heelers from its beginning in 1994 to its end in 2006, although Wood is the only character to be seen in every single episode. Wood also wrote three episodes for the series.

Wood was a contestant in the 2004 edition of the Australian Dancing with the Stars. In 2007, Wood appeared on Channel Ten's tele-movie, Joanne Lees - Murder in the Outback, where he played barrister Grant Algie. He currently hosts Channel Nine's travel series Wine Me, Dine Me.

In 2009, Wood has appeared in the drama The Cut on ABC1, in the historical, dramatised documentary, Rogue Nation, (as Governor Bligh) and in Channel Nine's drama-series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities playing Murray Farquhar.

In 2010, he had a recurring role in Offspring.

Notable television roles

Rafferty's Rules (1987–1990) as Michael Rafferty
Blue Heelers (1994–2006) as Tom Croydon
Dancing with the Stars (2004) as contestant
The Einstein Factor (2006 – present) as brains trust (panelist)
Joanne Lees - Murder in the Outback (2007) as Grant Algie
The Cut (2009) as Bill Telford
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (2009) as Murray Farquhar
Rogue Nation (2009) as Governor Bligh
Offspring (2010) as Gareth

Theatre

Wood is also an experienced stage actor. Notable roles include The Club, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, ART, Born Yesterday, The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin, Chess (the musical), Love Letters, Blood Relations (1987), The Real Inspector Hound’’, Strange Bedfellow The Musical and Stephen Sewell's It Just Stopped (2006).

Awards

John Wood has won several TV Week Logie Awards over the years, and has also been nominated for several.

In 1988 and 1989, Wood received the TV Week Logie Award for 'Most Outstanding Actor' for his work on Rafferty's Rules.[1][2] In 2006, he was nominated in the same catergory for his role in Blue Heelers.

Wood was nominated for the Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian television every year from 1997 to 2007. After nine consecutive Gold Logie nominations without a win, he was awarded the prize in 2006.[3]

Wood has won the 'Most Popular Actor' award twice (in 2005 and 2006) and been nominated another seven consecutive times (1997–2003) for his role in Blue Heelers.

References

1. John Wood–1988 Logie Awards
2. John Wood–1989 Logie Awards
3. John Wood–Gold Logie Award–2006

Links

John Wood at the Internet Movie Database

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Movie_Database

John Wood–Australian Broadcasting Corporation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation


A number of events were organised to compliment the Anniversary Ball.

See below, the -

Programme for the 75th Anniversary celebrations for the Roxy

Download a .pdf version of the Programme here:

Roxy_75th_anniversary_9+10_April_2011S.pdf

See links to other information, press cuttings & photographs about the 75th Anniversary celebrations at the end of this entry

THE ROXY – 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

CELEBRATE THE REBIRTH OF AN ICON
9TH + 10TH APRIL 2011

EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS

OFFICIAL LAUNCH
PETER’S & CO CAFÉ &
THE MUSEUM OF GREEK IMMIGRATION
IN RURAL NSW AND QUEENSLAND

FILM SCREENINGS

PRESENTATIONS

HISTORIC TOURS

GALA BALL


HISTORIC TOURS OF ROXY

9TH & 10TH APRIL

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at The Roxy as a symbol that epitomizes the Greek migration experience. The tour includes a visual presentation that examines the important role played by the cinemas and cafés established by Greek immigrants and the outstanding contribution they made to the development of Australia.


FILM SCREENINGS

9TH & 10TH APRIL

The glitter and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age will come to life in Bingara with a weekend of screenings that celebrate the history of The Roxy while setting it firmly in the context of the town of Bingara, northern NSW.

Come and be swept away by a selection of classic footage and unexpected delights that will take you back in time and light up the silver screen.


OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF PETER’S & CO CAFÉ & THE MUSEUM OF GREEK IMMIGRATION IN RURAL NSW AND QUEENSLAND

6PM

SAT 9TH APRIL

The official launch of the fully restored art deco Peter’s & Co Café and preview of the site of the new museum.

GALA BALL

7:30PM

SAT 9TH APRIL

Bringing the glitz and glamour of the 1930s back to Bingara, the 75th Anniversary Gala Ball will be an evening of feasting and festivity. Commencing with a Greek banquet accompanied by a performance of traditional Greek music, guests will be invited to dance the night away to the hypnotic Hellenic rhythms of one of the best Greek bands performing in Australia today. No Greek celebration would be complete without the time-honoured custom of the smashing of plates and the Gala Ball will be no exception. This event will be Black Tie.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - SATURDAY 9TH APRIL

FILM SCREENINGS

The Roxy and Other Souvenirs

John Wood is one of Australia’s most recognised and well-loved actors, best known for his role in Blue Heelers. Approached by Foxtel Television to appear in a series entitled As Australian As, the actor chose to feature the story of The Roxy and discuss the unique relationship he shares with the venue.

The Christmas Spirit

In 1958, Bill Koovousis documented the community of Bingara banding together to rebuild the home of a family lost by fire on the eve of Christmas. This remarkable film offers an extraordinary insight into life in a rural town and uniquely captures the spirit of Australians “old and new.”

Roberta

The first film ever screened at The Roxy at the official opening in March 1936. Starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Irene Dunn and Randolph Scott, Roberta features a lively romantic plot, fabulous sets (the three-level salon set required the world’s largest camera crane), memorable music (including Smoke Gets in Your Eyes) and above all, incomparable dance magic to match the score. “The most pleasant moments in Roberta” Time reported, “arrive when Astaire and Rogers turn the story upside down and dance on it.”

HISTORIC TOURS

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at history of The Roxy

LAUNCH OF PETER’S & CO CAFÉ & THE MUSEUM OF GREEK IMMIGRATION IN RURAL NSW & QLD

6PM

The official launch of the fully restored Café and preview of site of the new museum

GREEK GALA BALL

7:30PM

Dance the night away with an unforgettable evening of Greek feasting and festivity

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - SUNDAY 10TH APRIL

BREAKFAST AT PETER’S CAFÉ

Enjoy breakfast at the Café from 8:30am. Bookings for breakfast are essential

HISTORIC TOURS

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at The Roxy

FILM SCREENINGS

Cartoons and footage from 1936, Roberta, The Roxy and Other Souvenirs

PRESENTATIONS

Presentation by historian Peter McCarthy: The origins of the name style of Peters Cafes with the establishment of Oyster Saloons and Cafes in the New England and North West of NSW. This encompasses the establishment of The Sydney Oyster Saloon and S. Peter & Co at Inverell in 1899 by Peter Phacheas (Fatseas) to the Peters Cafe at the Roxy Theatre Bingara. Also included the association of Peters Ice Cream with Greek Cafes.

Peter McCarthy to be presented with a copy of the Heritage Australia award-winning book, Life in Australia, by a Trustee of the Kytherian World Heritage Fund, for outstanding research efforts.

Drawing of the Raffle Prizes, and finalising of the Silent Auction prizes.

TICKETS

75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA BALL

$55

(includes meal – alcohol is available to purchase)

HISTORIC TOUR OF THE ROXY

$10

FILM SCREENINGS + PRESENTATIONS

$10

BREAKFAST AT PETER’S & CO CAFÉ

SUN 10TH APRIL

$15 (includes set menu – bookings essential)


TICKETS & EVENT BOOKINGS

Bookings for all events for the Celebrations are available through

Bingara Tourist Information Centre
Jenny Mead
Tourist Officer, Bingara

Gwydir Shire Council
Locked Bag 5
BINGARA 2404
NSW
AUSTRALIA

T: 02 67240066

E: Bingara Tourism & Information

INFORMATION

For all 75th Anniversary Celebration enquiries please

e-mail: ROXY

or contact:

Sandy McNaughton
Manager
The Roxy
Gwydir Shire Council
Locked Bag 5
BINGARA NSW 2404

T: (02) 67 242 066
F: (02) 67 241 771
M: 0427 241 582

E: ROXY

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is available in the town of Bingara, as well as the neighbouring towns of Warialda, Barraba and Inverell. For enquiries regarding accommodation, please contact the

Bingara Tourist Information Centre
Jenny Mead
Tourist Officer, Bingara

Gwydir Shire Council
Locked Bag 5
BINGARA 2404
NSW
AUSTRALIA

T: 02 67240066

E: Bingara Tourism & Information

HOW TO GET THERE

Bingara is located approximately 600kms north of Sydney and 500kms south of Brisbane in the New England Tablelands. It is central in the New England North West region, between the major towns of Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell, Moree and Narrabri.

75th ANNIVERSARY ORGANISATION

The 75th Anniversary Celebration has been organised by an inspired group of friends and volunteers of The Roxy working in conjunction with the Gwydir Shire Council.

LEADING INTO THE EVENT

Media Release Roxy's 75th Anniversary

Neos Kosmos article on Katsehamos and the Great Idea

A Night at the ROXY. Neos Kosmos

Nicholas Anthony Aroney Trust donates $25,000 to Roxy Museum

Roxy turns 75. The Senior News

Bingara_Advocate_March_23_04_2011.pdf

REPORTING THE EVENT

Happy 75th Birthday ROXY. Bingara Advocate

Αυστραλία: Γιόρτασαν όλοι μαζί την προσφορά των Ελλήνων


PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EVENT


WEBLINKS

Roxy Theatre, Gwydir Shire

http://www.gwydirshire.com/roxy.html

Roxy Theatre

http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=2177&pageflip=24


Roxy Café
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=17330&pageflip=1


Roxy Museum
http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=17535&pageflip=1


Katsehamos and the Great Idea:

http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=6-82&cid=123&did=9989&pageflip=3


Restoration of Kytherian and Hellenic Sacred sites

http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=117-119&cid=191&did=17857&pageflip=3


Buffer Map of the distances from Bingara to major cities of Kytherian and Hellenic population

http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=5-56&cid=20&did=18529&pageflip=1

Download a .pdf version of the buffer map here:

/download/BingaraBufferDistance 20110208.pdf