What has been interesting throughout the consultations so far is only a limited number of young people have been taking part.

However, they are the ones who should be among those most involved because it is them who will be responsible for carrying the theatre forward in the year's ahead. 

Amanda Johnson is one younger resident who has taken an interest in the upgrade and what it will involve. 

Having just returned home to Leeton to work after completing a university degree in Newcastle, Miss Johnson was initially concerned when she first started hearing about the concept plans. 

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"Myself and my mum had heard a lot about what was happening, but we wanted to find out what was true and what wasn't … so we (signed up) for consultation workshops," she said. 

"We walked in not too sure what to expect, not sure if we were on board with it (the upgrade), but we walked out saying 'this is going to be fantastic'. 

"Things were explained really well. A lot of it makes a lot of sense, you just need to be informed about it."

Miss Johnson was a regular when it came to performing arts when she was a student at Leeton High School and believes the refurbishment will provide plenty of opportunities for youth interested in that area. 

Nicholas Wright is another resident who was interested in finding out more about the work, so he too signed up for the recent workshops. 

"It's really important a publicly-owned building (like the Roxy Theatre) … that we all take ownership and responsibility to find out what's happening with it," he said. 

"It's about democratic participation. 

"Leeton has a lot of character and the Roxy is that next level up. Leeton has always had that unique look about it. 

"I definitely see this as a huge opportunity because the theatre is on the street." 

Mr Wright believes the refurbishment will not only bring the theatre up to 21^st Century standards, but it will also become a tourism drawcard. 

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