Once Upon A Time 2 People Had A Dream…………………………

When Mansfield’s Star Cinema closed in 2006, James and Catriona Wilson did not want the local area to be left without this important public facility. They therefore developed a unique business model to establish a not-for-profit community cinema that would employ and train local students. Collaborating with Mansfield College and Goulburn-Ovens TAFE, as well as other stakeholders and supporters in the community, the Mansfield Armchair Cinema (MAC) opened in May 2009 after almost 12 months of research, design, fit out and training. To our knowledge, MAC is the only community cinema with an apprenticeship training program in Australia. It is the only fully-digital cinema in Australia, offering the opportunity for students to access the most up-to-date cinema technology.

Six or more school-based apprentices from Mansfield Secondary College are selected each two-year program to join MAC’s “A-Team” under a full-time Manager. The students use the cinema as a training facility where they operate and maintain state-of-the-art digital cinema equipment. Students gain skills in customer service, hospitality, business administration, cinema and digital technology and marketing. At the end of their apprenticeship they receive a Certificate III in Media through Goulburn-Ovens TAFE and an additional 10% to their total VCE Score, offering the students a great head-start in life. Since its inception in 2009, more than 12 Students who have completed their Certificate III in Media with 5 more students commencing this year.

In a fully collaborative arrangement, Mansfield College, Goulburn-Ovens TAFE and MAC work together to identify the students that would benefit from participating in the program. These students then embark on a unique program that integrates their VCE program, Certificate III in Media coursework and practical experience at MAC in rostered shifts. With most shifts being a one-on-one situation with the full-time Manager, the students’ skills are developed individually and they are given specific advice and training according to their needs to develop them to their full potential.

We emphasise the need for fun, and we create an atmosphere that is friendly, supportive and enjoyable. Our team building exercises are lots of fun, and can include activities such as a cooking masterclass, scavenger hunt or clay-shooting. The students compete in teams for a prize, creating a team bonding situation where each team member is encouraged to identify and use each individual member’s strengths. This greatly assists students to understand each other’s capabilities, which can be transferred to the workplace, but also promotes team harmony, cooperation, understanding and tolerance which are important life skills. The students flourish and grow through these exercises. The activities also create much laughter and fun, bringing the workforce together.

An innovative training approach, MAC has implemented a ‘Student Cycle’, whereby once a student has completed their training, they become a Supervisor and mentor of the next wave of young students, in a continuous cycle (refer diagram in attachment). Teaching the new students through this leadership role provides these young adults with responsibility and accountability, important life skills that are portable to their next place of employment.

We love our students and do whatever we can to boost their self-confidence and their learning. We invest a lot of time in working individually with each student to determine extra training each student requires, and in what fields. Students are skilled to do new and different tasks throughout their time with us, which keeps them motivated and very confident.

Membership is critical to the ongoing viability of the MAC.  Annual MAC MEMBERSHIPS are $25 per person.  

Remember this is a community based cinema and is Australia’s FIRST fully digital operation. All profits are returned to local students and other local organisations, grab something from the candy bar, tell your friends and most importantly keep coming back. Enjoy the movie experience!  We look forward to Meeting You At The Mac!!