Martoo's Olympia Theatre

Bacelie Martoo, a local businessman,  purchased a large block of land in Ipswich that was bounded by Limestone, Gordon and South Streets. As he was a keen sportsman he decided to make the area into a public sports venue for everyone to enjoy. In the early days, wrestling matches were common. The sportsground must not have been an unqualified success as it stood vacant for a while. Then, for their second outdoor movie season in 1909, Edward Carroll's Biograph Pictures moved to Martoo's stadium in Limestone Street. This was an open air screening, referred to as a "Continental" and which only occured during the warmer months of the year. During the winter months Edward Carroll and West's Pictures presentations moved to the Town Hall. 

In 1910 Martoo built the first section of what was to be a huge theatre on his property. This would become the Olympia Theatre. The first "Continental" of that summer season took place on Saturday 27 August 1910. Martoo had made improvements to lighting and installed a generator. Wooden seating for 1000 theatre-goers had been built and 500 folding chairs procured. Live band music sympathetic to the silent movie presentation was to be a feature of the experience. 

Before long seating capacity was extended to 3000. In 1927 seating capacity was estimated at between 3000 and 4000.  The theatre was so big it took up a large portion of Martoo's block, including the area between Limestone and South Streets. The facade and entrance were on Limestone Street. The theatre was only partially roofed, and therefore considered open air. In the front of the theatre canvas deck chairs were reserved for those residents who could afford such a luxury.

Following Bacelie's death in 1927, Vangie Martoo (Bacelie's brother and heir) briefly owned the property before selling it. The new owners renamed the theatre. From Saturday 8 October 1927 Martoo's Olympia became known as the Tivoli.  Unfortunately the Tivoli was destroyed by fire on Friday 9 November 1928. The theatre was not yet 20 years old.