Rex Theatre, Oonoomba, Townsville, Queensland built using a WW2 military building

REX THEATRE, OONOONBA,
TOWNSVILLE, QLD
BUILT USING A WW2 MILITARY BUILDING

Samuel "Bluey" Stortenbeker opened the Rex Theatre at Oonoonba, Townsville after WW2. As new building materials were hard to obtain after the war, he purchased a large ex US Army storage building in Ann Street, Aitkenvale.

To overcome any potential flooding problems on the site for the theatre, he obtained permission from the QME management at the meatworks to remove sand from the several sand-bagged anti-aircraft gun emplacements in the meatworks paddocks between Oonoonba and Idalia. He then dismantled the building at Aitkenvale and relocated it to Oonoonba where it became the Rex Theatre which opened on 5 May 1949.