Voices behind the campaign.

From the beginning of the film industry, architects in the USA, England and Australia designed a number of elaborate and fanciful theatres, often utilising characteristics of Moorish, Baroque and Spanish palaces.

One of the largest and most startling of all the Australian picture palaces is the Parramatta Roxy, built in 1930 in a delightful mixture of Spanish and Mexican motifs.

If cinemas such as the State and Capitol can be restored, the same can be done for the Roxy. Above all, enough of Australia's great architecture of the past has been destroyed in recent years. Everything possible must be done to save this magnificent building — for the delight and entertainment of future generations.

I've never understood why we Australians are so embarrassed by our past. If it wasn't for a handful of ratbag conservationists our cities would all be identical and full of decaying concrete boxes, supermarkets and multi-storied car parks.

The Roxy has a great auditorium, a marvellous place in the history of Australian cinema, and the potential of immense community usefulness. We will love it all the more as we take our seats there, soon we hope, and smugly reflect: 'and we saved it!'