In August 2026, it was a lovely treat to meet Bryony Lewis, who brought along some wonderful historical treasures from the Paul family of Creswick Roady Ballarat, who competed at the Royal South Street Society National Eisteddfod of Australasia (as it was known then) way back in 1918!
Bryony has generously donated several programs, textbooks and a Prize List to our archives, helping us preserve these fascinating pieces of Royal South Street history.
And there’s an extra special connection! Bryony’s aunty, May Paul, was friends with the wonderfully talented pianist and accompanist Elionor Morcom. 🎶
Bryony’s mother, Nancy Edwards (later Nancy Malseed) (née Nancy Bryon), was a wonderful pianist in her own right. She began competing in the Pianoforte sections at Royal South Street from the age of just 10, going on to win several major prizes at RSSS and study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music after being awarded a scholarship.
She later became the official accompanist for the Traralgon Eisteddfod for many years. Nancy also possessed the wonderful—and very rare—ability to sight-read anything, sight-transpose, and had perfect pitch.
Bryony is pictured here holding a prize list from the 1918 Eisteddfod.
