Walk into a pub in a town of just over 1,000 people and it doesn't take long to strike up a conversation.
I had barely settled into a seat at Charlton's main watering hole, weighing up the merits of a parma versus a steak, when the publican stopped by for a chat.
“Since becoming community-owned in 2006, the theatre has been run entirely by volunteers.”
When I mentioned I was a journalist from ANZ, visiting to write a story about the Rex Theatre, his face immediately lit up.
Born and bred in Charlton, he shared memories of singing Christmas carols on stage as a child. Fifty years later, he remains part of the annual festivities… taking to the same stage each December as a musician in the band.
He wished me luck with the story and moved on to the next table.
As I looked back at the menu, it was my turn to smile. That is the power of community and belonging. And the importance of a local icon like “the Rex.”
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For a town of around 1,200 people in Victoria's north-west, the Rex Theatre looms large in the local imagination.
Built in 1938, the art deco landmark has retained much of its original charm, standing proudly on Charlton's main street as both a cinema and live performance venue. Over the decades, generations have passed through its doors, whether to watch the latest blockbuster or attend a school awards night.
"Being here for so long, you don't quite realise how amazing the Rex is," says Hayden McKinnon, Chair and Manager of the Rex Theatre.
"When people visit who haven't been here before, they say, 'Wow, it's so lovely, so wonderful.' You forget about it yourself because you live here and work in it."
For many locals, the theatre is a vital part of the tight-knit community.
"The Rex is a place to come and meet other people," Hayden says.
"Whether it's seeing your grandchildren on stage at Carols by Candlelight or watching local people perform at community events, it's a place that brings people together."
The theatre's regular movie screenings also offer something increasingly rare in small regional communities: a chance to share an experience.
"We provide weekly movies, so it's a place to come and get away from life for a bit and watch the big screen," Hayden says.
That sense of connection has helped sustain the Rex through changing times.
Since becoming community-owned in 2006, the theatre has been run entirely by volunteers. From projectionists and candy bar attendants to board members and management, local people donate their time to keep the venue operating.
"Without volunteers, we wouldn't be able to run," Hayden says.
"Unfortunately, the Rex Theatre isn't commercially viable because we don't have the population to support it. Without volunteers, we simply wouldn't exist."
To help plan for the future, the Rex Theatre received support through the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program, delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).
In 2022, the funding enabled the theatre to develop a 10-year roadmap aimed at strengthening its long-term sustainability and ensuring it remains a vibrant part of community life.
"It's enabled us to ensure we have a vision, purpose and goals to work towards that align with the community values and what the community wants to see," Hayden says.
When he first applied, Hayden wasn't sure a theatre project would fit alongside other community initiatives.
"I was looking through the grants and saw sports and gardens and housing projects and all sorts of things, which are great, and I wasn't quite sure whether our grant would fit," he says.
"But it did, and we're over the moon about it. We're so thankful."
Twenty-four years on, ANZ Seeds of Renewal continues to support grassroots projects like the Rex Theatre. In 2026, the program is again offering grants of up to $15,000 to eligible not-for-profit and community groups across remote, rural and regional Australia. Delivered in partnership with FRRR, the program has provided more than $7 million to over 935 community-led projects since 2002 and is focused on helping communities thrive through initiatives that improve financial wellbeing, housing access, environmental sustainability and community resilience.
As I left Charlton, I found myself thinking back to that conversation in the pub. The publican had perfectly summed up what makes the Rex Theatre so special. It's a place where community takes centre stage.
Applications for the 2026 ANZ Seeds of Renewal program are now open. To apply, visit ANZ Seeds of Renewal
Alicia Muling is a Senior Journalist at ANZ.