Medich Foundation Invest $1M Into Powerhouse Parramatta

Powerhouse is pleased to announce the Medich Foundation as partners in Powerhouse Parramatta, continuing the Medich family’s long history of supporting cinema in Western Sydney through the establishment of the Medich Foundation Cinema and supporting the Powerhouse Film Program.

Led by Roy Medich OAM and his son Anthony Medich, the Medich Foundation has donated $1 million to Powerhouse Parramatta. This new philanthropic commitment echoes the family’s profound and lasting connection to Western Sydney, forged through a pioneering portfolio of independent cinemas that transformed the cultural and social landscape of the region.

The 55-seat Medich Foundation Cinema will be a fully accessible state-of-the-art cinema that will feature film screenings and speaker events directly connected to and embedded within the museum’s program. The Medich Foundation Cinema will inspire emerging artists, filmmakers, and creatives, acting as a vibrant hub that fosters and supports Australia’s artistic leaders of tomorrow. The cinema will be a vital part of Powerhouse Parramatta's programming, offering a shared space for communities.

Delivering a dynamic annual film schedule, the cinema will host cultural film festivals and special community screenings.

The Medich family has a long history with cinema in Western Sydney which began in 1952 when brothers Peter (father of Roy) and Lubo Medich purchased the Protea Cinema, renamed the Royal Theatre, in Cabramatta. The Medich brothers followed this with two additional theatres, The Royal at Chester Hill, which they built, and The Regal in Liverpool, then the Liverpool drive-in cinema, a joint venture with Greater Union. In this era, all family members were involved in staffing the cinemas, including Roy’s mother Mandina who managed The Royal.

The Medich family later diversified their business to include film production; with Medich Production becoming the first independent film producer in Australia to make a major investment in international film production in 1973.

The Powerhouse Film program supports the Australian film industry through a range of initiatives. These include commissioning new works, offering fellowships to emerging artists, and providing valuable networking and mentoring opportunities. The program also hosts filmmaker Q&A sessions, showcasing rising talent alongside established names bringing diverse cultural perspectives and storytelling styles to Powerhouse audiences. Western Sydney filmmakers currently collaborating with Powerhouse include Callum Duddington, Leo Harunah, Aaron Bull and Vutru collective.

Roy Medich OAM said ‘We are pleased to continue our family legacy of supporting cultural experiences for people in Western Sydney, which is why we’re partnering with the first state cultural institution located in this region, Powerhouse Parramatta. Our family has long held the view that communities deserve direct access to world-class cultural experiences and for the first time ever, Western Sydney will have a major cultural institution at its heart. This project will have a transformative impact on Western Sydney that will be felt for generations to come.’

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said, ‘For decades, the Medich family has been synonymous with enriching the lives of local communities, fostering a deep cultural appreciation that resonates across generations. A partnership with the Powerhouse represents a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity not only to celebrate but honour the extraordinary legacy of the Medich family across generations. This collaboration is more than an investment—it is a tribute to the enduring impact the Medich family has had on shaping the cultural fabric of Sydney.’

Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest cultural infrastructure project in NSW since the Sydney Opera House was built more than 50 years ago. Once complete, Powerhouse Parramatta will be the largest museum in NSW at 30,000 square metres.

For more information visit https://ph.au/45IKKAb.