The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod stands as the premier eisteddfod in Australia, promoting and encouraging participation, enjoyment and enrichment through the performing arts, since 1891

Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod

The Royal South Street Society celebrates our illustrious heritage and vital ongoing role in the development of performing arts across our regional and national cultural and artistic landscape.

Now Australia’s oldest and longest running eisteddfod, the annual Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod has seen well over one million aspiring singers, dancers, orators, writers, musicians and composers pass through our doors since 1891 – including the likes of Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Joan Kirner, Andrew Olle, Alfred Deakin, Anthony Callea and many more.

RSSS Ballarat Eisteddfod Clr PMS 7562 And Back

2024

2024 Dates

June

June 15 - Opening Night Supplies Calisthenics Solo Auditions - Founders Theatre, Federation University

June 16 - Couture Costume Dancewear Graceful Solo Auditions - Founders Theatre, Federation University

September

Sep 01 - Celebrating Chopin - Art Gallery of Ballarat

Sep 05 - 06 - Countpro Choral Competition - Founders Theatre, Federation University

Sep 04 - 05 - UFS All Abilities Performing Arts - The Farm Campus, Ballarat Specialist School

Sep 07 - 12 - Freemason's Festival of Schools Instrumental Music - Founders Theatre, Federation University

Sep 21 - 31 - Energetiks Dance Competition - Founders Theatre, Federation University

July

Jul 22 - 25 - ACU Debating Cup Challenge - Connor's Hall, Australian Catholic University ACU

ACU Debating Challenge Cup Finals:
Semi Final - 06 August
Grand Final - 13 August

October

Oct 01 - 05 - Energetiks Dance Competition - Founders Theatre, Federation University

Oct 11 - 30 - Australian Calisthenics Competition - Founders Theatre, Federation University

Oct 11 - Opening Night Supplies Calisthenics Solo Final - Founders Theatre, Federation University

Oct 12 - Couture Costume Dancewear Graceful Solo Final - 100 Years Centenary - Founders Theatre, Federation University

August

Aug 06 - 10 - Schimmel Pianoforte - Ballarat Masonic Centre

Aug 11 - 17 Freemason's Vocal Competition - Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Minerva Space

Aug 18 - 19 Herald Sun Aria Heats - Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Minerva Space

Aug 19 - Herald Sun Aria Semi Final - 100 Years Centenary - Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Minerva Space

Aug 19 - 22 - ACU Speech and Drama Competition - Connor's Hall, Australian Catholic University ACU

Aug 31 - Sep 01 - Celebrating Chopin - Art Gallery of Ballarat

Dates may be subject to slight change.

Disciplines

Disciplines

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod is the country's oldest running Eisteddfod and home to Australia’s rising stars.

The annual Eisteddfod stage is a nurturing platform for artistic growth, where performers can develop their talents and flourish in the spotlight, or simply develop a love and appreciation for the performing arts.

News

Marlene Lee

Vale Marlene Lee – passed away May 12, 2024

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Milly Wakefield – Prize Winner Series

Photo Credit: David Ng

Rachael Joyce on winning the 2023 Herald Sun Aria

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Graceful Solo Winner 2023 – Elyse Pavan

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Prize Winner Series – Hayley Every

Narelle Carr Board

Introducing Narelle Carr – Board Member

History

Explore our history through the decades

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod stands as Australia’s premier eisteddfod, boasting an illustrious heritage of delivering outstanding performance opportunities for over a century. Since 1891 our enduring commitment to fostering and showcasing talent places us at the pinnacle of the Australian cultural and artistic landscape.

Stories

Find out more about the various disciplines and stories from Royal South Street Society. These stories are collated from interviews, biographies, archives, media and news. 

Frank Robertson-Smith Award – History

Screen Shot 2016 02 18 At 10.40.59 Am

Daughters of Dance

Kate Williams

125 Logo Designer shares a three generation history with South Street

Ballet Tutu

Origins of the tutu

Fiona Jopson 1

A Star is Born – Fiona Jopson