About Us

Our Vision

To conduct Australia’s premier Eisteddfod, promoting and encouraging participation, enjoyment and enrichment through the performing arts.

Values

We are welcoming, professional and respectful.

We provide opportunities for performers to develop and flourish.

We are inclusive and embrace diversity.

We act with honesty and integrity.

We are committed to excellence.

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Community

The Royal South Street Society is Australia’s oldest and longest running Eisteddfod, first established in 1891. Since then, over one million aspiring performing artists have had the opportunity to shine on the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod stage.

Untold thousands of performing artists have left a little piece of their heart in Ballarat. They have shared a moment of history with the likes of James Scullin, Alfred Deakin, Mary Grant Bruce, Amy Castles, Joan Kirner, Denise Drysdale, Betty Pounder, David Atkins, Robert Lemke, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Anthony Callea and more.

The Society was granted ‘Royal’ status by the Queen in 1962 for services to the community and has since been honoured with many community service awards. The Royal South Street Society also helped develop national copyright protocols for eisteddfods and established the Australian Eisteddfod Association.

Ballarat Eisteddfod

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod currently runs throughout June to October each year. The Eisteddfod includes 11 theatrical disciplines of voice, music, and movements, providing some 40,000+ on-stage performance opportunities for artists from all over Australia and is conducted in quality venues throughout the Ballarat region, including the stunning historical Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Ballarat Mechanics Institute, ACU Connors Hall and more.

The Royal South Street Society is overseen by a volunteer Board, A small office team organise and promote the annual Eisteddfod, assisted by up to 200 volunteers as Discipline Chairs, committee members, ushers, security, writers, timers, back-stage crew, stage managers, and MCs.

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Funding

The Royal South Street Society is a not-for-profit organisation. The charges for entry and admission only cover 50% of production costs. We are extremely grateful for the additional funding that comes from generous sponsors, businesses, local and state government, individuals and families, committees, and volunteers.

As well as major sponsors, many individuals, alumni, families and organisations support sections and disciplines aligned to their personal choice and passions. You too, can join our supporter's community!

Our 2024 Supporters

Gold Crown Supporters

ACU – Australian Catholic University

City of Ballarat

Andrew Cochrane

Creative Victoria

Energetiks

Freemasons Foundation Victoria

Ingenia Lifestyle

Silver Crown Supporters

ACF - Australian Calisthenics Federation

Astec Equipment Services

Ballarat Mechanics Institute

Bernie’s Music Land

Isabella Foundation

SBN – School Broadcasting Network

UFS Healthcare

Bronze Crown Supporters

Central Highlands Water

Norma Clark Memorial Fund

Countpro Pty Ltd

Couture Costume Dancewear

D’Addario Australia Pty Ltd

Federation University

Henkell Brothers

Mulcahy & Co

Opening Nights Dance & Calisthenics Supplies

Petera Clamp Estate

Scholarship Supporters 

Australian Ballet School

Australian Classical Grand Prix

Ballarat Dance Awards

Sally Bourne

Hoffa Studios

MOPAC – Ministry of Performing Arts College

SCIMM. Dance

Transit Dance

WAAPA – Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Western Ballet Project

Encore Supporters 

Ballarat Jazz Club

BLOC Music Theatre Inc

Marilyn Bradford

Lorayne Branch

Andrea and Justin Brown

Buninyong/Mt Helen Lions Club

Caine Real Estate

Cash’s Awards and Promotion Solutions

Clifton Old Collegians

Field Air

Fishwick Family

Julie Fox and Helen Barclay

Hecho En Mexico

M&L McLean Cleaning Services

Mortgage Choice      

Newington Physiotherapy

The Piano Bar

Rotary Club of Ballarat East

Sovereign Press

STEMS Flower Market

Victorian Dance Festival

Williams Family

Julia Doig And Ron Harrington

Champion Supporters 

APATA – Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association

Ascet Digital

Coltman Family

Flying horse Entertainment Venue

Frank Robertson Smith Scholarship Fund

Robert Matthews

Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre

Optiform

Victorian Opera

Victorian Flair

K&A Young Trust

Spotlight Supporters 

Adam Lindsay Gordon Memorial Trust

ANATS Victorian Chapter

Robyn Antoine and the Enduring Classics Singing Group

ASCA – Australian Society of Calisthenics

Ballarat Allied Health

Ballarat Arts Foundation

Ballarat Ballet Guild

Ballarat National Theatre

Ballarat Vocal Studio

BCMA – Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts

Birmingham Farm

Dr Calvin Bowman

TE Byrne Memorial Fund

Carpenter Family

Carwen Calisthenics

Dr Tony Cole

CommDance – Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing

Coward Lemke School of Music

Dance Around the World

Tim and Liz Gay

Elsie Morrison Trust Fund

Ron and Dawn Harrington

Chris Gardner

Homeground Café & Bakery

WS Hooper Trust

Ivy Keats Memorial Fund

Margery James Trust

Jayde Calisthenics College

Lindsay & Karen Eaton

Loretta Kaval

Brian McInnes

Nicholas McMahon

Lillian Monk Trust

Monica Morgan Trust

Mr & Mrs R Morgan

Nerrina Progress Association

Oaktree Dental

One Life Health Group

Veronica O’Hehir

Reed Family

Rotary Club of Ballarat South

Tim Ryan

Anita Stapp

The Shine Centre

Tunstall Square Calisthenics

Sally Vawdry Memorial Fund

William Morrell Memorial Fund

Zonta Club of Ballarat

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

The Royal South Street Society is a Child Safe organisation.

We are committed to child safety; we have zero tolerance for child abuse along with a commitment to children’s best interests and keeping them safe. We actively work to listen to and empower children who perform at our Eisteddfod.

For further information contact Royal South Street Society Child Safety Officer on 5332 1054.

All children have the right to feel safe and to be safe all of the time.

Creative Victoria

Creative Victoria - Eisteddfod Grants

Creative Victoria works with eisteddfod organisation Royal South Street Society (RSSS) to support eisteddfods across Victoria through an annual grants program. Local eisteddfods across Victoria can apply via RSSS for a grant to support the cost of engaging professional adjudicators for their competitions.

The Victorian Government’s support through Creative Victoria is currently $400,000 for the 1st Jan 2020 to the 31st December 2023 for Victorian Regional Eisteddfods. RSSS receives the funds and distributes as per the approved funding schedule each year.

Ron Harrington, RSSS Board member and AESA Secretary, administers the grants on behalf of RSSS.

For more information, please email finance@royalsouthstreet.com.au