Mirrool Silo Cinema

The iconic Bland Shire village of Mirrool will host the region’s first Silo Cinema this Saturday night.

Australia Day revelers are expected to turn out in force at the famous Mirrool silos for a free screening of the new release movie The Merger.

The event is being organised by Bland Shire Council on behalf of the Mirrool Silo Challenge committee.

Committee chairman Jason Bryce approached Council with the idea for a Silo Cinema last year with the long term goal of creating a year round tourist attraction for the village.

Sydney based outdoor cinema specialists Smart Digital Australia have been engaged by Council to provide the projection and sound equipment for the movie and if the event is successful and well received by the community Council can seek grant funding to potentially purchase the equipment.

The Silo Cinema is the latest silo craze sweeping the nation and Bland Shire Council is pleased to once again be an innovator after also commissioning the first silo art project in New South Wales at Weethalle in 2017.

While Mirrool is not suitable for silo art due to logistical issues, the creation of a silo cinema will allow the community to further showcase its most iconic asset in a unique and engaging way.

Hundreds of people flock to Mirrool in October each year for the Mirrool Silo Kick where people from far and wide attempt to hoist a Sherrin football over the towering silos. The Silo Kick brings the community together once a year and injects much needed funds into the local community and it is hoped that the silo cinema will have a similar impact.

The movie The Merger is a story which will be familiar to many in the Mirrool community.

Filmed in the Riverina, The Merger tells the story about Bodgy Creek where the drought has hit hard and the local football team looks like it will have to merge with another club or fold.

Living a hermit-like existence on the town's fringe, former football star turned 'Town Killer' Troy Carrington (Damian Callinan), is coaxed into rescuing the team after striking up an unlikely friendship with young Neil (Raffety Grierson) who is struggling with the recent loss of his father. Teaming up with Neil's mum Angie (Kate Mulvany) who runs a nearby refugee support centre, they unite to recruit the new arrivals to save the team and take the community on a journey of change.

The inaugural Mirrool Silo Cinema will screen at 8.30pm on Saturday night. Members of the community are encouraged to bring a chair. Drinks and movie snacks will be available from the Mirrool Hotel.