Mr CLAYTON BARR (Cessnock): When Heddon Greta Drive-in closes at the end of 2026 to make way for much needed housing, it will be taking away a much-loved piece of local history for many families, both local and visitors in the Hunter. Opening in 1967 as Skyline Drive-in it has always been known just as Heddon Greta Drive-in to everyone. You could take as many people who could fit in your car to see 2 movies – many families took chairs to sit outside their vehicle if the weather was good and their cars were packed. Station wagons and utes were reversed in so that people could lie down to watch the shows on blankets or rugs. Today there is a limit of up to 8 people per vehicle if everyone has a seatbelt. The drive-in was closed from 1984 to 1996 and fell into disrepair during this time. It was reopened by Scott and Donna Seddon in 1996 and has been operating since. There are at least 4 generations of people with fond memories of going to Heddon Greta to watch the latest movies, go to the cafeteria at intermission or sending their kids to play in the playground.
