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, Jason Wasley, Anthony Callea and many more.

RSSS Ballarat Eisteddfod Clr PMS 7562 And Back

AGM Wednesday 16 April 2025

A Royal Arrival: Grand Piano Set to Elevate Ballarat’s Music Scene

Exciting News for Ballarat

Ballarat is set to welcome a world-class musical treasure as the Royal South Street Society (RSSS) announces the arrival of a Schimmel Konzert Grand K195 piano, marking a major milestone in the city’s artistic legacy.

YOU can contribute by purchasing a key in your name, or in the name of a loved one or business.  Help bring this magnificent instrument to Ballarat and ensure its music is heard for generations to come.

To find out more, click on 'Support' above and follow the links.

2025

2025 Dates

Feb / June

Feb 15 Comedy Workshop - BPAC 

June 14 - 15 Calisthenics Solo Auditions - Founders Theatre, Federation University

July

Jul 18 - 20 Vocal - Ballarat Mechanics Institute

Jul 21 - 27 Pianoforte and Celebrating Chopin - Ballarat Mechanics Institute

Jul 28 - 31 Vocal (cont'd) - Ballarat Mechanics Institute

August

Aug 01 - 04 Vocal (cont'd) and Aria - Ballarat Mechanics Institute

Aug 04 - 08 Debating Heats - ACU 

Aug 11 - 15 Speech, Drama & Comedy - ACU

Aug 19 Debating Semi-Final - ACU

Aug 26 Debating Grand Final - ACU

Aug 27 - 30 All Abilities - The Farm Campus, Ballarat Specialist School

September

Sep 02 - 06 Instrumental Solos and Bands - Founders Theatre

Sep 08 - 11 Choral - Founders Theatre

Sep 19 - 30 Dance - Her Majesty's Theatre 

October

Oct 01 - 04 Dance (cont'd) - Her Majesty's Theatre 

Oct 05 - 31 Calisthenics - Her Majesty's Theatre 

Oct 10 - 11 Calisthenics Solo Finals - Her Majesty's Theatre

Oct 26 RSSS - Countpro Showcase - Her Majesty's Theatre

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

NOTICE OF AGM (2)

Notice of AGM

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Claim Your Key to Music

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2025 Royal South Street Society Season Launch

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Lyster Opera Presents…

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Voting for the SBN People’s Choice Award

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Doug McGregor

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. 

Cr W D Hill

W D Hill Gravestone Restoration Unveiling

John Stapp

John Stapp

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Mary Miller – The Triumph and the Tragedy

Schimmel Piano

Schimmel Pianoforte at Royal South Street…a History

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Daughters of Dance