By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
The Emerald community is remembering one of its most beloved figures, Dale Allen, who passed away peacefully at Casey Hospital in Berwick on 9 April at the age of 82.
A passionate film enthusiast, dedicated volunteer, and long-time member of the University of the Third Age (U3A) Emerald, Mr Allen’s influence will be felt for years to come.
As vice president of U3A Emerald, he played a key role in shaping the direction of the organisation. His leadership was marked by his infectious sense of humour and his ability to cut through the clutter.
“He was the one who kept us on track,” U3A Emerald president, Pat Calton Boncristiani said.
“Dale made meetings more efficient and, more importantly, fun.”
While Mr Allen’s contributions were far-reaching, it was his Cinema Classics sessions that left a lasting impact on the community.
These screenings, which he ran for many years, were more than just an opportunity to watch films – they were a chance for the community to bond over a shared love of classic cinema.
“Dale’s personality meant he developed a very loyal following in the Cinema Classics group,” Ms Calton Boncristiani said.
“Each session brought a little nostalgia and a lot of joy.”
Mr Allen’s daughter, Lauren Allen, shared that his passion for film was sparked in his youth.
“Dad grew up in inner-city Melbourne in the ’40s and ’50s, and going to the cinema was just part of life,” she said.
“He was captivated by the big screen, and it gave him an escape during difficult times, like when his dad was bedridden. He’d skip Saturday sports to sneak off to a matinee movie instead.”
Over the years, Mr Allen gathered an impressive collection of over 2000 films, many of which were regularly featured in Cinema Classics.
For Mr Allen, films like ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ – his favourite – were more than entertainment; they were a passion.
“The sweeping vistas, the action, the story – it was everything he loved,” Ms Allen said.
“He first saw it on the big screen, and it stayed with him.”
To honour his legacy, U3A Emerald will host a special screening of The Man Who Would Be King on 29 April.
“It’s touching to know the community held him in such high regard,” Ms Allen said.
“Even though we couldn’t attend the session, Bruce did a wonderful job of honouring Dad’s memory, including one of Dad’s favourite shorts, Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
But Mr Allen’s life was about so much more than films. He was a man of many interests – classic cars, ballooning, 3D photography, and even watch collecting.
In fact, his passion for ballooning led him to become one of the first hot air balloon pilots in Australia, and he was recognised with an international award for his contributions to the sport.
“Dad was a raconteur of the highest order,” Ms Allen said.
“He had an extremely dry wit, and sometimes it was hard to tell whether he was being serious or not. But he had a genuine curiosity about the world, and he was always learning.”
In the years before his death, Mr Allen rediscovered his love for education through U3A.
“He always wanted to know everything about the things that interested him,” his daughter said.
“U3A gave him a chance to rediscover that love of learning and share it with others.”
Despite his many interests and achievements, Mr Allen remained humble and grateful for the life he lived.
“He was a consummate diplomat, he could walk into any conversation and contribute in a meaningful way. But what stood out most was his positive view of life. Even in his final months, he showed no bitterness – only gratitude for the amazing life he had,” Ms Allen said.
As the Emerald community continues to honour his memory, it’s clear that Mr Allen’s legacy will endure.
“He leaves behind a wonderful collection of friends from around the world and a lesson that you’re never too old to live life to the fullest,” Ms Allen said.
