Right now, the last thing rural cinema owners want to do is talk to a nosey journalist. Fortunately Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA), the umbrella group for the indy picture houses, has been collecting information and President Scott Seddon has been assessing the detailed impact.
We know that the Mallacoota Cinema became a refuge, while the Sun Cinema Bairnsdale was transformed into an evacuation centre. No cinemas were burnt down but some owners lost their houses. The power went out, the candy bars stopped working and choc tops were given out for free as they melted.