The Friends of the Athenium committee received the generous donation from Sydney’s Ross Thorne, which was installed last week. The remote-operated screen was installed in two days.

Professor Thorne completed a heritage assessment on the Athenium Theatre in 2002 for the NSW Heritage Council. The Athenium became one of Professor Thorne’s extensive case study in how to preservie historical theatres.

Friends of the Athenium secretary Barbara Manwaring said it was another milestone for the historic theatre.

“There’s more than history,” Mrs Manwaring said.

“It really has a place, it’s been deemed state significant.”

Committee president George Benedyka said the next job was to install air-conditioning in the building.

“We’re working towards it, it’s the real issue with the theatre now,” he said.

Junee Shire Council’s community and recreation officer Nicole Barton said the screen was a valuable new element for the Athenium.

She said the theatre could potentially hold presentations and conferences as well as slideshows for birthdays or weddings.

The installation of the new screen coincides with a massive increase in bookings.

Mrs Barton said there were just 21 bookings in 2015.

“For 2016 we look to have 98 bookings, there’s a lot of benefits for people hiring the venue,” she said.

The Athenium’s screen will be complemented by the purchase of a projector by council’s youth engagement program.

Mayor Neil Smith described the screen as another feather in the cap of the theatre.

“And it’s another reason to hire the facility,” Councillor Smith said.

“The increase in the use of the facility has been dramatic.”

The Australian film Last Cab to Darwin will be the first movie shown on the new Athenium screen.

The Friends of the Athenium committee will also present a short film about steam locomotive 3801 on Saturday July 23.