1903
Calisthenics becomes an integral part of South Street and remains a uniquely Australian sport, having originated in Victoria in the 1800s during the gold rush. Entries continue to flow in,…
Read More1906
A Grand Opera Contest is included in the Eisteddfod for the first time, with prizes presented by Dame Nellie Melba
Read More1907
The Highland Pipe Band contest is introduced as part of the competitions while the Factory Choral competition attracts entries from Ballarat and Geelong as businesses vie for musical honours. Bernard…
Read More1908
With the purchase of Rennie’s Livery Stables, South Street Society builds a new hall on the corner of Grenville and Little Bridge Street in a space of just 77 days.…
Read More1909
Dame Nellie performs at the Coliseum and founder of South Street, W D Hill, becomes mayor of Ballarat City. With its capacity to house 8000 people, the Coliseum becomes the…
Read More1909
Amateur boxing and wrestling contests are held at the Coliseum and the President’s wife is ‘relieved of finding entertainment for the ladies of visiting choirs.’ Ballarat High School opens and…
Read More1911
With the advent of the movies, a new star is born and audiences around the country fall in love with silent film. The Church Chronicle writes that ‘Ballarat had gone…
Read More1912
Thousands congregate to City Oval to see the Highland Pipe Contest and, under the auspices of South Street, watch celebrated aeronaut, ‘Wizard Stone,’ attempt to take off in a monoplane.…
Read More1914
The Right Honourable Andrew Fisher opens the competitions and Mr J Beswick is brought out from England to judge the Band Contest as increasing numbers of interstate bands travel to…
Read More1915
Prime Minister Billy Hughes gives a masterly oration on support for the war effort at the opening of the Competition, with profits donated to Red Cross as part of the…
Read More1916
Billy Hughes returns to open South Street’s Annual Competitions, and is greeted at Ballarat station by hundreds of well wishers. However, not all are supportive of Australia’s involvement in the…
Read More1917
A“ Back to Ballarat” celebration is staged to attract home coming visits by former residents, with 15,000 people crowding into the Stockade to watch actors play out scenes from the…
Read More