The lovingly restored theatre reached a significant milestone after the Junee Town Band moved in as a tenant.

Several performances have been earmarked for the venue and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music (RCM) has flagged its interest in the Athenium.

Conservatorium director Hamish Tait said he was “thrilled” about the possibility of the RCM holding performances at the historic Athenium Theatre in Junee.

“It is still early days but the Conservatorium is excited to have the opportunity of holding performances at the Athenium Theatre,” Mr Tait said.

“We are currently organising an ensemble concert at the end of this term which will incorporate the RCM’s Youth Orchestra and other student ensembles.

“We are still in discussion about other performances for later this year, but we hope to include the theatre as a venue option for our RCM Concert Series that we hold throughout the year.

“This would be looked at for next year’s concert series.”

The Junee Shire Arts Council has also turned to the venue as one of its options and is planning to present a performance by Champagne Flutes.

The flute quartet includes Junee’s Keith and Fran Griffin as well as Brett Thompson and Gabrielle Gosford.

They will cover music from classical to jazz on Sunday, June 5.

Music is not the only art which will appear on stage, the Friends of the Athenium are in the process of getting a new movie screen and the first stage performance is due next month.

A Royal Secret is Junee Performing Arts Company’s first performance and it begins on Saturday June 18, with a run of four dates.

Friends of the Athenium committee publicity officer Virginia Stewart said the increasing interest in the theatre was positive.

“We welcome the interest and it shows how the building is maintaining an important place in the community. Events which bring people into the theatre will always be welcome.”