Mr Conson was the original builder and owner of the Roxy and his family has continued to maintain links with Leeton. 

Last week, three generations of the Conson family paid a visit to the theatre, led by Mr Conson’s son, Don. 

Don was born in Leeton and was keen to ensure future generations of his family were aware of the significant achievements made by his father. 

“We held a family reunion in Leeton in 1984 when my mother was still alive … and it was the same last weekend,” he said. 

“I’m very proud of my father and we wanted to show the offspring just what he had done.”

The family stayed at another iconic Leeton building in the Historic Hydro Motor Inn where Mr Conson lived for about nine years. 

Mr Conson was born in Greece and settled in Australia with his family in the early 1900s. 

According to the book Up in Lights: 80 years of Leeton’s Roxy Community Theatre, written by Margaret Sands, Mr Conson started his “cinema years” in town at the Globe Theatre and adjacent Open Air Globe Theatre. 

In 1929/1930, he built his own “palace of dreams” – Leeton’s Roxy Theatre. 

In 1935, the Leeton Roxy Gardens Open Air Picture Theatre in Wade Avenue was established under Mr Conson’s management. 

Mr Conson passed away in Sydney in December, 1981, aged 92. 

Don said it was exciting for the three generations to come to town and essentially view what is their family legacy. 

“Even though we left when I was one, we came back for holidays all the time, and I spent all of my time at the theatre,” he said. 

“It’s great to see it in such great condition still today. 

‘It’s not just a theatre, it’s a meeting place and essentially a town hall.”

During their visit, the family were treated to a tour of the theatre, were able to look over historical documents with Mrs Sands and met mayor Paul Maytom. Mrs Sands said it was an honour to meet Mr Conson’s family. 

“It was an incredible honour to meet them and it’s so great they have such a keen interest in the family,” she said. 

“Our theatre has so much history and plenty of stories to be told. It was wonderful to have the family visit and come back throughout the weekend to view a documentary and hear the Wurlitzer organ being played.”