About The Rex Theatre
Proudly located in the central area in the main shopping street of Monto, The Rex Theatre exudes character and charm. The art deco theatre and shops were built prior to 1930 by owner Hans Apel. Raw handcrafted bricks make the walls of the expansive hall, sand for which was excavated by hand from the Three Moon Creek.
Upon entering the front arcade you are swept into the times gone by. The ornate trims and sloping floor shroud visitors as they pass by the original timber advertisement frames. The cool breeze whips around the top step and the circular timber trusses are revealed. The proscenium washed and worn frames the stage and it is easy to imagine the once alive performances and picture shows – you can almost hear the ticking of the projector.
Purpose
The Rex Monto is a community led, profit-for-purpose arts and cultural organisation in the rural town of Monto. The Rex Monto fosters and enhances arts and cultural experience for rural and regional communities in the North Burnett and beyond. We create opportunities for artists to exhibit and deepen their arts practice.
We co-create events and spaces for community and visitors to engage with arts, culture and history.
Founders, Grant and Carly Burnham are deeply rooted in the Monto district with many generations dating back to early settlement in 1926. The Burnham’s value community, and through philanthropic endeavours have made possible for Monto to reclaim The Rex Theatre for the purpose of community reinvigoration and restoration of this iconic cultural heritage asset.
Future
Thanks to the support of the Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) our project to bring The Rex back to life is well under way. In 2022 award-winning Architect Brian Hooper was engaged to undertake scoping work and to develop a master plan. Quantity surveying was also completed in 2022.
2023 refurbishment of the Old Jewellers Shop is currently underway and is set to open later in the year with the relaunch of Harvest & Co @ The Rex. The concept of Harvest & Co was one of the first of its kind in Monto. Its purpose was to create a home to local artisans (of which there are many) featuring pottery, food, clothing, jewellery, vintage wares and much more. All of the income generated from the retail store, were reinvested back into The Rex and the long-term renovation strategy. The new outlet will feature more Australian brands and continue to focus on the talents of the region.
Monto
Monto may be a small rural community, but it has a big heart. It is believed that “monto” is probably a Gureng Gureng Aboriginal word meaning “plains with ridges on them.”
Located in the traditional country of the Gooreng Gooreng peoples, Monto remains an important community hub today. It is home to a variety of cultural, historic and artistic experiences.
With a population of only 1,300, visitors to the town can’t help but feel the warmth and friendliness of the locals.
Known as ‘Three Moon Country’, the Monto region was once home to a thriving dairy industry as well as gold mining. Today it is the Gateway to Cania Gorge National Park, a remarkable site of towering cliffs, quiet pools and ancient caves with art sites.
Monto is located on the Burnett Highway 480 km north west of Brisbane and 200 km west of Bundaberg.