An army of dedicated volunteers who helped save Birmingham Gardens Regal Cinema from almost certain demise have scooped the field at the 2017Newcastle Volunteer Service Awards. Award Host and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said 77 volunteers from the Regal won Volunteer Service Awards. The Regal Cinema Story was a tale of community triumph against the odds.In 2007 it closed down because of council safety concerns and marked for demolition. It was only saved by a hard-fought community campaign and the extraordinary work of volunteers, Ms Claydon said. The Regal Cinema was built by volunteers in the 1930s so theres a lovely symmetry in volunteers working together to save it almost a century on. Each volunteer contributes to the cinema in their own unique way which helps to gives the Regal the heart and soul that is so loved by Novocastrians today. Ms Claydon said the 2017 Newcastle Volunteers Service awards ceremony was the biggest yet, with close to 200 attendees and well over 100 Novocastrians recognised for their service to the community. There are so many ordinary people in our community doing truly extraordinary things. The Volunteer Service Awards are a great opportunity to sing their praises, Ms Claydon said. Its wonderful to live in a community where so many people give back.