The group aims to promote, protect and enhance the theatre and encourage people to help in the theatre’s maintenance and encourage more events and usage of the facility.

The group will support the Merredin Shire in its endeavour to solve major structural, electrical and air conditioning issues, but also focus on making the Tivoli Room more user friendly.

They hope to attract more events and have the theatre open more often.

The first task the group has set is to collect memorabilia and photos of the theatre from previous years to set up as an exhibition celebrating its 80th birthday in October.

Newly elected group chairperson Brendon Grylls said events were being planned to coincide with the October date and group members welcome input from the pubic as they plan for the celebrations.

“The next meeting will be on August 18 in the Tivoli Room at 12noon and anyone is welcome to come along,” he said.

“We will be discussing the celebrations and refurbishment plans.”

Other members of the Friends of Cummins Theatre include vice chairperson Avril Parker, secretary Beth Smith and treasurer Heather Giles.