mmg.com.au

The youth of Cobram are lobbying for support for a cinema in their town.

They have started a petition and Facebook page, called ‘Does Cobram need a cinema?’, in a first step to bring to reality a project they consider a high priority.

A Cobram Youth Group forum in Cobram last October identified projects about 80 people aged between 14 and 25 considered a necessity for their town — more shops, music festivals, more street events and more adult education facilities.

But a cinema was top of their list.

Youth group member Meg Drew said almost 500 people had shown support via the Facebook page and about the same number had signed petitions by Friday.

Meg said members considered the project one of the more achievable options.

She said the availability of new-release movies in Cobram would give residents, particularly young people, a local entertainment option.

Meg said it could also attract interest from people in neighbouring towns.

‘‘This would give youth an opportunity, instead of being home all the time,’’ she said.

‘‘Not all youth have the opportunity to travel to have fun because they can’t drive or can’t do what they want.’’

Petitions are at Cobram Community House, Target, Zitos Fuel Cobram, Menthas, Artavilla Emporium, Paul Ukich Pharmacy, Cobram Vet Clinic and Bendigo Bank.