The Saraton Theatre – 100 years on

This year marks 100 years of the iconic Saraton Theatre, a century-old cultural landmark that has been part of Grafton’s story – and the wider Clarence Valley – for generations. Last month, Woopi News was honoured to attend a special centenary concert at the theatre, where members of the Notaras family shared their remarkable journey, both live on stage and through archival film. It was a powerful reminder of how deeply this family’s story is embedded in the history of regional NSW.

This article has been written following that celebration, drawing on the stories shared on the day, and with heartfelt congratulations to the Notaras family for reaching this extraordinary milestone and for their ongoing stewardship of one of the state’s most treasured cinemas.

From Silver Screen to Sugar Bananas: A Clarence Valley Story with Deep Woolgoolga Roots

The elegant façade of the Saraton Theatre stands today as more than just a place to watch a film. It is a living monument to migration, entrepreneurship, resilience and the longstanding links between communities along the Clarence Valley – including our little coastal town just south of Grafton, Woolgoolga.

Grafton itself was established on a floodplain along the northern bank of the Clarence River, about 50 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. Its twin town, South Grafton, grew on the southern shore at a time when there was no bridge or railway crossing, and goods – and people – were ferried across the river. It was into this evolving regional centre that the Notaras family, Greek migrants seeking opportunity, began writing a story that would span more than a century.

The family patriarch arrived in Australia in the early 1900s, gradually bringing his sons to join him. By around 1909 or 1910, the family had settled in Grafton, opening cafés that quickly became local fixtures. These early ventures laid the foundation for what would become a bold move into the burgeoning world of cinema.

By the mid-1920s, movies were becoming a cultural phenomenon, and Greek families across New South Wales were opening cinemas in towns large and small. In 1925, plans were approved for a grand cinema in Grafton. Construction was completed the following year, financed by a significant loan – a major gamble at the time. The original theatre was basic by today’s standards: open to the roof, no ceiling, no stage, and films projected silently onto a white-painted brick wall. Yet audiences came in droves, drawn by the magic of the silver screen.

As Grafton grew – marked by the opening of a new rail and road bridge in 1932 – competition in cinema intensified. Eventually, the Notaras family leased the Saraton to a rival operator, before reclaiming and modernising it in the late 1930s. That renovation created much of the theatre people recognise today, with art deco styling and improved facilities that would carry it through the decades.

After World War II, the next generation stepped in – and it was here that the story took a distinctly Woolgoolga turn.

Tony Notaras’ son, Angelo, left school at just 17 and was handed an extraordinary responsibility: managing a small, 200-seat cinema in Woolgoolga. At the time, the town had a population of only around 680 people. For a teenager, running the projection booth, ticket sales and day-to-day operations of a country cinema was a crash course in responsibility – and a formative experience that would shape his working life.

But cinema wasn’t the only path taken by the family. While some members moved into timber milling and industrial innovation in South Grafton and Lawrence, Angelo and his brother returned to Woolgoolga – this time to the land. The family became deeply involved in banana growing, purchasing large tracts of irrigated farmland and adopting innovative equipment to combat disease. What began as farming soon evolved into importing and manufacturing specialised agricultural machinery, creating yet another successful chapter in the family’s story.

Back in Grafton, the Saraton Theatre faced an uncertain future. By the late 20th century, television had wiped out many regional cinemas. In 1999, when a permanent conservation order was placed on the Saraton, the family initially feared it would spell the end. Instead, it became the key to the theatre’s survival.

A sensitive and ambitious restoration followed, using local tradespeople and skills. Original features were painstakingly returned – from pressed metal ceilings and leadlight windows to art deco colour schemes uncovered beneath decades of paint. At the same time, two modern cinemas were discreetly added behind the heritage façade, ensuring the building could function as a viable business while preserving its historic heart.

The Saraton stands as one of the most intact pre–World War II cinemas in New South Wales – a rare achievement. Its survival is due not just to bricks and mortar, but to generations of family members willing to adapt, diversify and stay connected to the communities that supported them.

From café counters in Grafton, to a tiny cinema and banana farms in Woolgoolga, to a heritage-listed theatre reborn for the digital age, the Notaras story is a reminder that regional towns are shaped by people who put down roots, take risks and keep showing up – decade after decade.

What’s On at the Saraton?

Live Performances:

Celebrating 100 years doesn’t mean slowing down – and the Saraton Theatre continues to deliver a diverse and exciting program of live performances alongside its film screenings.

In early 2026 alone, audiences can look forward to an impressive mix of comedy, theatre, music and storytelling. 

Sporting legends Fatty & Sterlo bring their much-loved humour and behind-the-scenes stories to the stage, while Australia’s favourite home cook, Julie Goodwin, offers a warm, intimate afternoon blending food, conversation and inspiration.

Award-winning theatre also features strongly, with NORPA’s production of Prima Facie – one of the most talked-about plays in the world – arriving in Grafton for a powerful one-night performance. Music and movement take centre stage with Banjo, a moving contemporary work inspired by Banjo Paterson’s poetry, while Queens of Song return home for the next chapter in their nationally toured show.

Later in the season, audiences can groove along with The Big Chillout, a joyful celebration of Motown and soul classics, before comedy favourite Luke Kidgell brings his Good Intentions world tour to the Saraton stage.

From major touring acts to home-grown productions, the Saraton remains much more than a cinema – it is a thriving live performance venue and a cultural heartbeat for the Clarence Valley, and only 40 minutes from the Woolgoolga CBD.

Movies: February 2026

Now Showing or Coming Soon

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Primate

Mercy

Marty Supreme

Send Help

Shelter

Crime 101

Wuthering Heights

Fackham Hall

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

Scream 7

The Bride!

Full details and tickets: saraton.com

A Trip Down Memory lane. 

If you are interested in the history and would like to view a special movie about the Saraton Family, their cinema and connection to Woolgoolga you can watch this one made in 2015 by Ross Thorne. It’s very interesting.

~ Written by  Lisa Nichols January 2026