Daughters of Dance
A brief and biased history of Dance and Calisthenics in Ballarat in recent times, and its relationship with the RSSS Competitions. A. M. Cole, as at February 2000 And so…
Read MoreFlorence Lee Memorial Prize – History
The late Florence Lee was a piano teacher who supported Royal South Street Society. She continued to show an interest in young pianists well into her nineties and came each…
Read MoreFrank Robertson-Smith Award – History
Frank Robertson-Smith Dip.Mus., M.Mus. (organ performance), L.Mus.A., LTCL,ARCO, Dip.Ed., TTTC Born in Ballarat, Frank attended Macarthur Street and Ballarat High Schools, before joining the office staff at the Wendouree…
Read MoreFrank Wright
Frank Joseph Henry Wright (born Smeaton, Victoria, 1901; died 16 November 1970), was a composer, music educator, conductor, publisher, and cornet player. He was the conductor of the City of…
Read MoreHappy Birthday Debating
It is now 125 years since the first competitions were held, but this month we are also celebrating 137 years since South Street was first established as The Young Men’s…
Read MoreIron Maidens of Dance
A potted history of theatrical dancing in Australia. A. M. Cole 1998 The Venues Australia’s first theatre was a converted convict hut of mud and stone, in 1789 in…
Read MoreJohn Stapp
Memories… Anita Stapp for the Louis and John Stapp Memorial Prize. Anita has great memories of growing up in Ballarat and was very aware of the Royal South Street Society…
Read MoreMargaret Schofield
Margaret Schofield was one of the Australia’s leading pianists during her distinguished career, performing as a soloist, accompanist and actively teaching the piano for almost 60 years. Margaret was born…
Read MoreMary Miller – The Triumph and the Tragedy
Mary Miller, born December 22 1926, was a promising young soprano in her prime when she won the coveted Herald Sun Aria in 1948. Her story is a beautiful and…
Read MoreNew RSSS Life Member – Sandra Fishwick
A new Royal South Street Society Life Membership was awarded to Sandra Fishwick at the 2024 AGM. Sandra Fishwick, born in Ballarat to a sport-loving family, never expected to find…
Read MoreOne Bloke, One Ballet Teacher and Three Daughters
Hedley Thomson What does a bloke do when he marries a ballet teacher and has three daughters, all of whom inevitably become involved in ballet too? He can’t beat ‘em…
Read MoreOrigins of the tutu
Why do Ballerina’s wear a tutu? A. M. Cole 1997 This is a common question at the competitions. So out of respect and understanding, I thought the curious amongst us…
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