ST ANDREWS FILM SOCIETY
Welcome to the St Andrews Film Society, a friendly and vibrant community group offering monthly film screenings at Wadambuk St Andrews Community Centre. Our gatherings provide a great opportunity to enjoy an exciting variety of films in a relaxed and social setting. We are proud to offer two groups — Friday Night Group and Thursday Day Group — to suit different schedules and preferences.
Wadambuk St Andrews Community Centre located at:
35 Caledonia Street, St Andrews VIC 3761
St Andrews Film Festival
A celebration of community and music.
Three great films on musical themes for just $20
When: Sunday 13 September 10 am to 5 pm
Where: St Andrews Community Hall, Proctor Street
How much: $20 per person (OR $50 with luncheon voucher for A Boy Named Sue)
Here is your chance to join a relaxed and entertaining community event! On offer are two acclaimed international movies and a locally made documentary plus the chance to swap ideas and gossip over lunch and a cuppa. The three films all have a musical theme but with very different and often gripping storylines. As an added bonus, documentary-maker Andrew Garton will be with us to share his thoughts about the filmmaking process.
There is the opportunity to share lunch at local café A Boy Named Sue, with morning tea and afternoon tea included in the ticket price.
The Films
My Brother’s Band is a French movie about a professional orchestra conductor who discovers he has a brother he’d never known of before, brought up in an entirely different social milieu. Music unites them, society pulls them apart.
The Choral is set in the UK at the time of the First World War when a community society attempts to boost the spirits of the townsfolk in unsettled times. This funny and moving film stars Ralph Fiennes and is directed by Nicholas Hytner.
We will meet Andrew Garton, a well-recognised film-maker from St Andrews. His documentary, This Choir Sings Carols, is set in Whittlesea and Epping and is a joyful celebration of our local and diverse community.
Everyone is invited to come along to have fun and a relaxing time.
Thanks to Bendigo Bank for supporting this community initiative.
Tickets available at https://events.humanitix.com/st-andrews-film-festival
Further info www.standrewscommunitycentre.org/st-andrews-film-society
GENERAL INFORMATION
The society is an incorporated body run by a volunteer committee of four office holders and five or more general members. We are a member of the Federation of Victorian Film Societies and Australian Council Of Film Societies. Both groups are represented. All positions fall vacant at the AGM which is held after 1st July each year. Committee Meetings are held quarterly.
The St Andrews Film Society would like to thank the many community members who have contributed time, skills and general support over the years. We also thank the following organisations for their generous support which has been crucial to the success of the group.
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Nillumbik Shire Council
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Bendigo Bank
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Morris and Kleeman real-estate
SAFS 2025/26 COMMITTEE
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President: Helen Butler
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Vice President: Garry Hayes
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Secretary: Julia Hamer
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Treasurer: Maryanne Freeman
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Day Group Co-ordinator: Pam Hayes
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General Members: Sarah Brenan, Maureen Orders, Rosemary Storey, Kate Kilsby, Trudie Harrington
ASSOCIATED LINKS
For more film-related information, check out these useful resources:
ENQUIRIES
For enquiries or membership information, please contact us at:
Email: standrewsfs@gmail.com
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 51, St Andrews, VIC 3761
You can also fill out the contact/enquiry form below.
We appreciate all the individuals who have joined the society - your support truly matters. SAFS cannot exist without you. Thank you!
Membership
Interested in becoming a member? Download our membership form below and join us for monthly screenings, social nights, and more. Email the form to standrewsfs@gmail.com, mail it to P.O. Box 51, St Andrews, VIC 3761, or drop it off at the Wadambuk St Andrews Community Centre during our office hours (detailed in the footer).
Direct deposit details: (please reference name & group)
Friday group: St Andrews Film Society BSB 633 000 A/C 146 958 947
Thursday group: St Andrews Film Society BSB 633 000 A/C 156 716 037
SAFS FRIDAY NIGHT ADULT GROUP
The Friday Adult Film Group is part of the St Andrews Film Society (SAFS), a proud member of the Federation of Victorian Film Societies. We offer films for mature audiences, providing an enjoyable and casual movie night at the Wadambuk St Andrews Community Centre.
WHEN WE SCREEN
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Screenings: Every 3rd Friday of the month (excluding December).
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Time: Members are requested to arrive at 7:30 pm for an 8:00 pm start.
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Transport: Available upon request—please contact us for arrangements.
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Total Fire Ban Days: In case of a Total Fire Ban Day, screenings will be cancelled and rescheduled.
MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
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Annual Membership: $40 (Jan to Nov)
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Discounted Membership: If you join after August, the fee is reduced to $20 for the remainder of the year.
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Additional Benefits: Your membership also gives you access to the Thursday Daytime Film Group.
Our film screenings are always casual and friendly—BYO drinks, a plate to share, and enjoy the free tea and coffee provided. As a member, you’ll also have the chance to borrow a movie from our extensive back catalogue to enjoy at home, free of charge.
Our diverse film program is selected by members from a list of over 50 titles, which is mailed out each October. The titles available span a variety of genres, including:
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Animation
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Australian
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Classic
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Mainstream/Wide Release
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Independent/Limited Release
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Documentary
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Musical
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World Cinema
Members are invited to contribute to this list throughout the year. The committee then makes the final selections, ensuring a good balance of genres. Film selections are always subject to availability, but there’s always something for everyone!
HOW TO JOIN
Joining the SAFS Friday Adult Group is easy! You can:
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Join at a Friday Night Screening: Simply fill out the membership form during the screening.
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Online Membership: Fill out the membership form on our website and follow the instructions for submission.
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Contact: For more details or any questions, reach out to Helen Butler at standrewsfs@gmail.com
We look forward to welcoming you to our next screening!
SAFS THURSDAY DAYTIME GROUP
The Thursday Daytime Film Group is a part of the St Andrews Film Society (SAFS), a member of the Federation of Victorian Film Societies.
This group is ideal for those who love movies and enjoy a friendly social atmosphere. It’s perfect for people who
want to attend screenings during the day (no need to drive at night). It's a great opportunity to meet others in the community.
WHEN WE SCREEN
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Screenings: The first Thursday of each month at the Wadambuk St Andrews Community Centre.
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Meeting Time: We gather at 12:00 pm for a BYO lunch, and the film starts promptly at 12:30 pm.
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Total Fire Ban Days: In case of a Total Fire Ban Day, screenings will be cancelled and rescheduled.
MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
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Annual Membership: $40 (Jan to Dec).
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Discounted Membership: If you join after August, the fee is reduced to $20 for the remainder of the year.
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Additional Benefits: You can bring a guest to screenings. Members can also borrow films from our back catalogue to enjoy at home, free of charge. Your membership also gives you access to the Friday Night Film Group
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Our film program offers current and classic films of various genres, selected by members.
The films generally spark lively discussions!
Members are invited to contribute to this list throughout the year. The committee then makes the final selections, ensuring a good balance of genres. Film selections are always subject to availability, but there’s always something for everyone!
HOW TO JOIN
Joining the SAFS Friday Adult Group is easy! You can:
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Join at a monthly screening: Simply fill out the membership form during the screening.
-
Online Membership: Fill out the membership form on our website and follow the instructions for submission.
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Contact: For more details or any questions, reach out to Pam Hayes at standrewsfs@gmail.com.
We look forward to welcoming you to our next screening!
HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
The installation of the Audio Visual equipment in the St Andrews hall was inspired by a young couple who had connections to the town. After the Black Saturday fires they organized four free film sessions to help people forget their worries for a little while. There was a session for children followed by one for over 18s. They brought up a portable projector, screen and sound system over four weekends.
A clipboard was displayed on the stage inviting the audience to jot down their names if they supported the idea of having films in the hall on an ongoing basis. 70 people put down their names. It was thanks to this support that Bushfire Recovery funds were granted to install a permanent state of the art audio/visual system in the hall for all to use.
Creating a Film Society to make good use of the system was the next step. The community were invited to the A/V Grand Launch with a red carpet Oscars style welcome from Miss Wattle on the October 30th 2011. Guests were invited to join the new film society on the spot, and over 80 eagre people signed up- chaos!
Nillumbik Council had supported an application for a $3000 New Start Grant to help cover costs for the first year, so membership was a low $10. At the first film night on 18th Nov. another 40 or so members joined. All that was left to do was to invite members to join the inaugural committee. The first year was a challenge. We had to apply for a liquor license. For a permanent license we had to become Incorporated. There were so many things to do! But, now it’s all running smoothly, and each month the members turn up with their membership cards in one hand a plate of food in the other, and a cushion under their arm for another great night at the movies.
Written by Pat Reynolds
(SAFS President 2011–2023)
