18/03/2026. By Carmelle Wilkinson.
Long before thousands of West Australians relaxed on bean bags and picnic rugs under the stars at Movies by Burswood (now known as Community Cinemas) Founder Ken Gibbons was a young boy playing imaginary drive-ins in his backyard.
To the Curtin Applied Science graduate, movies were never just about entertainment – it was an experience that brought people together.
“When I was a kid I would go to the outdoor drive-ins with my family,” Ken said.
“We’d always be nicely dressed, and it would be a real sense of occasion.”
Ken said a cherished memory from his childhood was him sitting in a dark movie theatre with a group of strangers – all laughing and gasping at the same time and all sharing the same excitement.
Those early memories left a lasting impression and quietly planted the seeds for something much bigger.
Today, Ken is the proud founder of four Community Cinema locations around Perth – Bassendean, Burswood, Joondalup and Murdoch.
What began as a simple idea has grown into a much-loved family experience every summer.
Movies at Burswood ((now known as Community Cinemas) is a much-loved family experience in Perth.
Over the past 25 years the volunteer-powered initiative has raised a staggering $14 million dollars for children’s charities across WA.
This year, in recognition of this extraordinary contribution to the community, Ken was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
“I was truly humbled by the award. But I don’t do this for recognition,’’ he said.
“I do it because I love it. Some of my best memories is standing at the front gate and listening to people leaving after a film.
“People rarely walk out unchanged. They’re usually laughing or smiling.”
Ken said his passion for cinema from his childhood, followed him into his student years at Curtin’s predecessor, the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT).
Deeply involved in student life, Ken served two years as Student Guild President and alongside student leadership, he found another way to bring people together – through movies.
Ken’s idea for an outdoor cinema in Perth was planted during his time at Curtin.
Using the Curtin Hollis Theatre lecture hall, he began screening classic films for students to watch during their lunch break.
“You could say the idea for an outdoor cinema in Perth, was planted during my time at Curtin,’’ he said.
Ken said titles like Casablanca drew uni crowds looking for a break from lectures and assignments.
“We’d charge $1.20 for a double feature, so not bad at all,’’ he joked.
One particularly memorable night saw Ken squeeze 595 people into a 250-seat lecture theatre for a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Looking back, Ken realised those early film nights were more than just student entertainment.
“The formula really evolved at Curtin,” he said.
“It was about bringing people together.”
Years later, that idea would return in a very different setting.
In the late 1990s, Ken began to notice something missing in Perth’s entertainment scene. Outdoor cinemas existed, but few were designed with families in mind.
Community Cinemas was designed with families in mind.
“There wasn’t really a place where families could come along with blankets, pillows and a picnic,” he said.
“Somewhere the kids could fall asleep while the adults enjoyed the movie.”
At the time, Ken was heavily involved in fundraising for the Kids’ Cancer Support Group at Princess Margaret Hospital and was always looking for new ways to support children and families facing difficult circumstances.
During a dinner with friends, the conversation turned to the idea of creating a family-friendly outdoor cinema.
Encouraged by his friends to make it happen, Ken decided to take the leap.
The next step was convincing the Burswood Park Board.
Ken approached them with a bold proposal: allow him to run an outdoor cinema on the Burswood foreshore during Perth’s busy summer months – and do it without paying rent.
Without hesitation, the board said yes.
And with that, Movies by Burswood was born.
Movies at Burswood began as a small fundraising initiative, and has since grown into a cherished Perth summer tradition with hundreds of volunteers.
Despite losing money in the first year, and breaking even the following year – Ken persisted.
Slowly but surely, word spread and families returned each summer.
More and more volunteers stepped forward to help.
What began as a small fundraising initiative gradually evolved into one of Perth’s most cherished summer traditions with over 700 volunteers.
Ken is quick to point out that his Order of Australia Medal belongs to everyone who helped make Community Cinemas possible.
“I accepted the award this year on behalf of the many volunteers and supporters who have been part of our journey,” he said.
“For me, movies have been so much more than what appears on screen. They are an escapism.
“If people can come together and have a positive experience, that’s a good thing, but if we can raise money to help children in need at the same time – well that’s the icing on the cake.”
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