The Darwin Film Society, Deckchair Cinema
The Darwin Film Society
What We Do
Deckchair Cinema is operated by the Darwin Film Society (DFS), a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that was established in 1964 to screen a broad range of films that were not otherwise available at other Darwin cinemas. The DFS has an active and growing membership base of more than 1,500 people.
The Darwin Film Society aims to enhance the diverse cultural experiences of our community by providing unique and alternative film experience to mainstream cinema in Darwin.
Who We Are
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Jeff Coulter - ChairI have been on the DFS Committee for 8 years with the last 3 as Chair. The vitality of the people that surround the operation and the beauty of the cinema and its location make it a real pleasure to volunteer our time to ensure a successful and viable Deckchair Cinema and its other events and festivals. Darwin International Film Festival, Northern Territory Travelling Film Festival and Spark are fantastic achievements of our staff and committee all involved to benefit the NT film Industry. Our over 1000 members is the backbone that underpins all our efforts and thank them very much. Long live us. |
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John Schier - Deputy ChairI have been a member of the Darwin Film Society Management Committee since 2002, and Chair for 11 of those years. I was a co-founder of the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF), chairing the Committee from 2010 to 2013 and will again do so this year. I am an active member of many community committees, have a background in tourism operations, and am currently an account manager specialising in freight handling and logistics. |
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Lee Upton - SecretaryLee works as a Senior Workplace Relations Advisor at Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory. With over 25 years’ experience in various executive management, human resources, and high level consultancy roles. Lee initially joined the committee in 2016 to offer her HR experience to the society. She has subsequently assumed the responsibility of the committee secretary. |
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Tom Pearse - TreasurerI have been a member of the Darwin Film Society Management Committee since 2002, and Chair for 11 of those years. I was a co-founder of the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF), chairing the Committee from 2010 to 2013 and will again do so this year. I am an active member of many community committees, have a background in tourism operations, and am currently an account manager specialising in freight handling and logistics. |
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Lex Silvester - Public OfficerDeckchair’s Public Officer and Committee Member is Lex Silvester, a now retired barrister and lawyer who practiced law in Darwin from 7 November 1970 until mid 2015. Somehow he survived Cyclone Tracey and all the others that followed. His vision and capacity for getting things done are legendary. He won Australian and International recognition for conceiving, designing, building and creating ‘Seven Spirit Bay’ wilderness lodge in Gurig National Park. To Deckchair Cinema, he brings his wealth of knowledge and experience. |
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Di KoserI have been a Committee member of the Darwin Film Society since the mid-80s. I was Chair for over 15 years from several years before the first Deckchair Cinema began (at Mavie St in 1994) until after the opening of the current Cinema (at Jervois Road). I love the continuing community involvement in all aspects of the Cinema – from the programming to gardening and weeding and highly skilled areas as projection and architectural design. I believe the reason the Deckchair has continued to thrive is that it truly reflects the community from which it grew. |
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Felicity WattBio Coming Soon.... |
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Liz KeithSince going to see ‘Mary Poppins’ as a preschooler and being dragged out sobbing when told that I couldn’t stay indefinitely, I have been passionate about both movies and cinema-going. On arriving in Darwin in 2011, I immediately decided that the ‘Deckie’ was my spiritual home. I love the values and sense of community underpinning the Darwin Film Society, and the role it plays in ensuring that the citizens of our beautiful city have access to a top-notch range of cinematic experiences. I have a background in law, social work and dispute resolution, and hope to bring a range of skills – as well as undying adoration – to my role on the DFS Management Committee. |
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Phil HickeyI became a Committee member of the Darwin Film Society after being a regular Deckchair patron and DFS member since the mid-90s. The Deckchair and the films it presents have been an ongoing joy in my life throughout that whole time. As a committee member, I’m really pleased to be able to offer something in return. My main interests are in maintaining and improving the Deckchair experience for members. I think the Deckchair represents the best of what’s good about Darwin. |
Ethics
Central to the mission and strategic goals of the Darwin Film Society (who operate the Deckchair Cinema) is being a sustainable business both socially, financially and environmentally. Below are some examples of the action we have taken to meet sustainability objectives:
• No Bottled Water - with Australia’s annual consumption of bottled water creating the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 13,000 cars the Darwin Film Society decided to reduce our waste (and yours) by no longer selling any still bottled water from 2014 onwards. Instead patrons are invited to enjoy our Darwin fresh, filtered water for free from our kiosk