I am delighted to have recently joined the Royal South Street Society in the role of Business and Marketing Manager. As a past competitor and parent of past competitors, my love for the performing arts have never left me! I was never one of those competitors that won many places at eisteddfods, a scattering of 2nds, 3rds and HMs at best! However, I loved dance from the age of 7 until 17 years and loved the thrill, comradery and hard work required of competitions, especially the Royal South Street Society comps!
I loved our annual September holidays hiding out in the dressing rooms and writing notes all over my precious Dance guidebook in the audience of what was then – The Memorial Theatre, with a single aisle right up the middle of the stalls. Always watching the bigger people dance, and wishing I could be like them one day! The troupes were my favourite – the spectacle, the energy, the costumes, the music, the timing and the lighting! My parents always knew where I was for the whole school holidays, immersed in (the practice!!) the friendship and love of dance, and I have lasting friendships from my time in dance that I will cherish forever.
I feel it has only been since Her Majesty’s Theatre (The Memorial Theatre) has closed on and off for renovations and the Covid pandemic, that I think everyone has realised how lucky we were for all those years, to have danced every year on that truly magical stage!
My children have performed in dance, debating and choirs and after many years working in the business and education system, I have seen first-hand the influence that the performing arts can have on the lives of young people. Skills such as speech, presentation, creativity, teamwork, confidence, commitment and clear thinking can be used in any career or life path, and I have seen these skills learned and grow over time in many young people – to the point that they really do stand out amongst others when called on as needed.
I am wholeheartedly committed to the vision of the Royal South Street Society – to conduct Australia’s premier eisteddfod, promoting and encouraging participation, enjoyment and enrichment through the performing arts – because I know that’s exactly what this organisation has done for many years and will continue to do so in the future. I am in awe of the many people who have come before me (mostly in a volunteer capacity) with the vision, passion and unwavering commitment to make Royal South Street Society all that it is to this day, and I wish to thank them for the gift they have given our region in the past.
To the teachers of the performing arts – you are incredible! There is no-one else like you and your role in the culture of performing arts in our region and in this country is invaluable. Ballarat in particular has a thriving performing arts culture, so many of our teachers, theatre companies and performers were once on the Royal South Street Society stage themselves. We can’t do what we do here at the Royal South Street Society without you! Bravo to you all!
My final words are to all of the Royal South Street Society alumni out there….. we were never all going to become performing artists, some of us did, but most of us didn’t – but I’ll bet your love for performing arts has never left you! Please come back to Royal South Street, share your stories with us, support us, take a seat in the audience again, and let Royal South Street seep back into your lives….. it’s incredible xxx
