1918
Lionel Logue, (played by Geoffrey Rush in ‘The King’s Speech’) arrives in Ballarat to adjudicate South Street’s Elocutionary Competition. His system of judging is published in South Street’s 1918 Guide…
Read More1919
The 29th Grand Annual Competition is held at the Coliseum and opens with the New South Wales State Orchestra under the baton of distinguished Belgian conductor, Henri Verbrugghen, a long…
Read More1920
The Competitions ramp up with Military, Drum, Bugle and Harmonica Band sections and the Federal Government offers its support with a 250 pound grant. The Arch of Victory is officially…
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After the war, enthusiasm for Brass Bands and Choral work pushes the South Street Society to greater heights. Six thousand entries are received from every Australian state and for the…
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The Society receives a letter asking if a competition for Ladies Pipe Bands is in the pipeline and it is decided that choir members in the Shops and Factories Choirs…
Read More1923
The Sun begins correspondence with South Street seeking guidance on a competition for their annual prize and Vegemite, the invention of a young Australian chemist, starts production to take on…
Read More1924
The Grand Opera contest becomes the Sun Aria competition and is won by Lawrence Power from South Australia. Since 1924, the Herald Sun Aria has never been won by the…
Read More1925
Messrs. Albert & Sons of Sydney provide 43 pounds for cash prizes and gold and silver medals for a Boomerang Mouth organ contest. Despite opinions that the contest is not…
Read More1926
Dame Nellie Melba sings at benefit concert for South Street at the Coliseum and 3000 people pack the hall as new sections including a jazz concert are added to the…
Read More1928
The Sun Aria competition attracts a record number of entrants, with 110 aspiring singers travelling to Ballarat from across the country. The Australian Travel Service Pty. Ltd. promotes a Commonwealth…
Read More1929
South Street commemorates its Jubilee year with a star-studded concert at the Coliseum – including Harold Williams, reputed to be “The World’s Greatest Baritone”, celebrated Australian Pianist, William James, and…
Read More1930
Radio 3BA begins broadcasting, Her Majesty’s Theatre is wired for sound and Phar Lap wins the Melbourne Cup, with the moment captured for posterity on ‘talkie’ film. The Ballarat airport…
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