Vocal and Aria

As the Eisteddfod grows, three halls are needed to cater for the overwhelming interest in the competitions. Soprano Amy Castle’s vocal success at South Street soon sees the young singer on her way to singing fame in Europe. Her Majesty’s Theatre changes hands and its new owners commission leading Australian architect, William Pitt, to remodel the interior and improve the stage facilities.

Peter Dawson wins the Bass Solo section in South Street’s Senior Vocal Contest and goes onto international fame, singing at Covent Garden and touring Australia with another South Street diva, Amy Castles. It was Dawson’s version of Waltzing Matilda’ that catapulted our unofficial national anthem to fame in 1938, after which versions came ‘thick and thin.’

(Watch Peter Dawson’s Waltzing Matilda)

Future Prime Minister James Scullin also makes his mark by taking out a first in the senior debating competition.

Crowds line Lydiard Street to witness the return of Dame Nellie Melba from Europe, while the well-heeled were fortunate enough to purchase tickets attend her performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

A Grand Opera Contest is included in the Eisteddfod for the first time, with prizes presented by Dame Nellie Melba

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. It does not go well, with Wizard and the plane sustaining minor injuries.

The Titanic sinks on her maiden voyage from England to New York and Ballarat erects the Titanic Memorial Bandstand in the following year to commemorate the stoic musicians who continued to play as the ship sank.

Sponsor of South Street’s Sutton Shield, Henry Sutton dies. A remarkable inventor, Sutton was credited with many early innovations including light bulbs, photo printing and the early transmission of images, which would later be used as the foundation for developing television 35 years later.

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 Ballarat to compete despite the war.

The Senior Vocal Championship is awarded to George Lemke and forges a long association between the Lemke family and South Street, while the competition goes from strength to strength.

The mammoth South Street Competitions show no sign of decay; in fact, judging by recent indications, there is no limit to the possibilities and achievements of this remarkable institution. The Society, taken as a whole, is an institution that aims at the moral and national advancement of the community, and is worthy of recognition at the hands of the citizens. (Ballarat and District Year Book, Ballarat Library, A.H. & R.J. Powell)

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 first time, some have to be rejected, with 20 choirs, 48 bands and 150 calisthenics teams keen to compete.

‘Tides of visitors flow in and out, filling hotel, boarding-house and bed-and-breakfast accommodation, putting smiles on the faces of the proprietors of café and fish-and-chip shops.’ Weston Bate, Life after Gold.

Ballarat West and East Councils finally amalgamate and W D Hill, founder of South Street, becomes the first Mayor of Ballarat Citycr-w-d-hill

John Brownlee wins the gold medal as champion vocalist at the South Street having never had a singing lesson his life and abandons accountancy to sing full time. In 1926 he would sing with Dame Nelle Melba in La Boheme in Covent Garden at her farewell performance.

The first live radio broadcast from South Street takes place and W D Hill dies in office after 42 years of remarkable service to the Eisteddfod and Ballarat community.

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 same competitor twice and throughout its history has provided young opera singers with the opportunity to take their talent to the world.

As one winner commented

“A win at South Street is the hallmark that leads to fame.’

The “Most Graceful Physical Culture Girl” is introduced into the Calisthenics Section.

Permission is granted to Mr. Warne Wilson to install a radio to broadcast the Competitions from the Coliseum.

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 competitions.

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 wide contest for a singer to travel free to Wales with the Welsh Delegation, along with an additional 50 Pounds cash to compete in the Welsh Eisteddfod. The Victorian section of the contest is held at South Street, and won by Eric Jones of Northcote.

Topical subjects dominate the Eisteddfod’s literary competition, including Australian Literary Achievements in the Twentieth Century, The Machine Age and its Effect on Human Life, The Australian Debt to the Aboriginal Race and The Problem of Hospital Finance in Australia.

Passionate supporter of South Street Dame Nellie Melba dies.

Radio 3BA broadcasts for half an hour on the first night of the Sun Aria and the Duke of Gloucester attends the afternoon session of the Band Contest. The contests prove so popular that applications are made for a state holiday and bank holiday to allow people time off to watch bands compete from around the country.

Events at City Oval include Highland dancing, pipe band contests and quick step contest, with teams from H.M.S. Sussex and H.M.S. Dunedin participating in a tug-o’-war event.

As part of Ballarat’s Centenary year, a “Back to South Street Vocal Championship” is held and is open to all former competitors.

The Champion Juvenile Choral Contest is re-named the Choral Contest Under 16 years of age, and Dancing and Calisthenics become separate sections, with the suggestion that Greek Dancing be added to the mix.

Ballarat’s Floral Festival begins and its first floral carpet is displayed.

The Ballarat National Theatre is founded and the first production, ‘The Barretts of Wimple Street, is performed at the Alfred Hall.

South Street celebrates its 50^th year of competitions and for the first time in many years the “house full” sign is posted outside the Alfred Hall when the final night of the Calisthenics is held. Debating is deleted for the first time from the competitions, not to return until 1997.

The first busts to make up the Prime Ministers Avenue in Ballarat are unveiled including Australia’s first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton.

The Sun News agrees to hold the Semi Final of the Sun Aria in Ballarat with first prize worth 130 guineas, second prize 30 guineas and third prize 20 guineas.

Instead of disbanding, the Committee agrees it should continue to function, and raise funds for the purchase of a grand piano for Ballarat. Up to this time a grand piano had to be brought from Melbourne when required.

World War II ends and the Competitions recommence.

The Sun Aria Prize Money is raised to 300 Guineas, and the Vocal Section attracts 1,480 entries making it impossible to get through the work in the time allotted.  Net profits from the Competitions are donated to the Prisoner of War Fund through the Patriotic Funds Council.

Returned soldiers competing in the Sun Aria are permitted to deduct their period of war service from their age, and outstanding young Ballarat soprano, Elsie Morison, is presented with a cheque for £510 from the Trust Committee to allow her to receive tuition at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Elise went on to pursue an international career and become a regular member of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden where she sang not only the lead roles in Puccini’s La Boheme and Mozart’s Magic Flute but also appeared in operas by contemporary composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten and Francis Poulenc.

A ‘crowning’ highlight came in 1952 when she was asked to sing at a memorial Concert for King George VI at the Royal Albert hall – and again in 1953 when she sang as Australia’s representative at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey.

The Courier and Radio 3BA offer £100 as prize money for a Ballad Contest, which is introduced to the Senior Vocal Section.

Donald Bradman scores his first century.

The Sutton “Star for Opera” Quest commences with prizes totalling 50 Guineas. Open to contestants aged 18-23 years, the Quest is designed to assist young singers hoping to pursue an operatic career.

Following a visit of the Western Australian Municipal Band, it is decided to revive the South Street Band Contest after a lapse of 14 years.

The first all Australian car, the Holden, is produced and millions of immigrants arrive post war as part of the nation’s immigration scheme.

The Ballarat City Band takes out every major award in the   “A” Grade Band Contest under the baton of Charlie Smith who was carried shoulder high to the band platform to receive the trophies from South Street President, Mr. L. V. Kennedy.

Robert Lemke wins the Courier Ballad, the Star for Opera Quest, the Vocal Championship and receives an honourable mention in the Sun Aria.

Ballarat’s first Begonia Festival is held and the Mayor announces plans for a new hall on the Haymarket site.

The Olympic year ushers in a new era with the annual Eisteddfod opening in the new Civic Hall. After being proposed as far back as 1936 following the loss of the Coliseum, the new hall is generally well received, although some find it “lacks atmosphere”.

Having successfully surviving many efforts to destroy it, the Alfred Hall which was deemed cold, leaky and a health hazard is finally demolished.

The Sun Aria age limit is raised to 29 years for both males and females and Ballarat shines as Olympic Games events are held on Lake Wendouree.

Australian born soprano, Elsie Morison gives a sell out concert in the Civic Hall, with the proceeds to be shared with South Street and the Ballarat Orphanage and a prize in established in her name.

The last link with the original founders of South Street is severed with the death of Mr. Theo Saunders at the age of 97.

New Zealand entrants cross the puddle and successfully compete in the vocal sections by winning the Sun Aria in ’64, ’65 and ’66.

The Manawatu Society of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand hopes to establish a similar contest to the Sun Aria for the Centennial Celebrations of Palmerston North, NZ.

Victoria, NSW and Tasmania Band Associations send their State Champions to Ballarat to compete in the Champion of Champions Contest – and a proposal is put forward to create a CWA Choral Contest for CWA Associations only.

The death of Lyle Blackman, Secretary of the Society is met with great sadness after serving the society for 58 years.

Ballarat National Theatre enters the Play Section and on the national stage, Beatlemania sweeps the nation.

 

Royal South Street purchases Her Majesty’s Theatre at a cost of 32,500 pounds through the support of Ballarat businessmen and the State Government. Renamed The Memorial Theatre, it becomes the home of the Competitions for the next 22 years before being gifted to the City of Ballarat as part of an agreement to support the restoration and renovation of the building.

During the renovation period, South Street competitions were conducted in the City Hall.

A triumphant young Kiri Te Kanawa from New Zealand wins the Courier Ballad, Sun Aria, Star for Opera, and Elsie Morrison prizes.

A Grand Inaugural concert is held at the Memorial Theatre and attended by Sir Henry and Lady Bolte, who present a cheque of $38,000 to match funds raised by the society to help renovate the theatre.

A Bechstein Grand Piano used by Dame Nellie Melba on her tour of Australia some forty years ago is presented to the Society from the Directors of 3BA. The piano was bought by 3BA from Miss Tillie Howard, a well-known music teacher, soon after the establishment of the radio station.

Solo and Duo Items are to be included in the Folk Singing section for the first time under the strict proviso that all numbers to be genuine folk songs, no pop songs permitted!

On a more sombre note, Australia sends more troops to Vietnam.

The Sun Aria increases the age limit for competitors  to 32 years.

Deputy Premier, Lindsay Thompson attends a special dinner to celebrate the Sun Aria’s 50^th anniversary, while The Most Graceful Physical Culture Girl Contest also celebrates half a century of competition.

Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin on Christmas Eve.

Rex Taylor wins the Herald Sun Aria competition.

The first opening concert for the Competitions is launched with a Music Hall theme. Audiences are invited to wear period costume and Sir Arthur Nicholson, Mayor of Ballarat, and his wife arrive by horse drawn coach.

A Barber Shop Quartet Section is added to the Music Hall Competition.

Ellinor Morcom, accompanist, teacher and mentor to many Royal South Street singers, is awarded an OBE.

The competition introduces the Open Classical Ballet solo for dancers over 16 and South Street gains permission for bands to march down Sturt Street but not outside churches on Sunday morning.

Ballarat baritone, Roger Lemke, wins the Courier/3BA Ballard and Star for Opera Quest, following in the footsteps of his father,  Robert Lemke.

The competitions return to the beautifully renovated Her Majesty’s and an open day is held with more than 1000 people turning out to inspect the resplendent interiors.

TV auditions for drama are introduced with the assistance of Grundy Productions and VIC TV, with an overwhelming response and Linda Thompson wins the Herald Sun Aria.

“For the first time, a lot of singers saw opportunities to sing opera, in costume at home, The Aria was viewed as the springboard into that world.”

Linda Thompson.

Royal South Street Society celebrates 100 years of competitions with a stellar cast of stars past and present performing in a special centenary concert – with dancers David Kierce and Joanne Bradley and former Sun Aria winners Rosemary Boyle and Raymond Myers. And the  Sun Aria changes it name to the Herald Sun Aria.

The Premier of Victorian, the Hon. Joan Kirner, also a past South Street winner, officially opens the competitions.

Jan Russ, casting director for Neighbours, is appointed Adjudicator for the TV auditions and one successful prize winner gets a guernsey and joins Ramsay Street locals on the long running Australian soap.

A special Centenary Essay Competition is launched with winners presented with specially struck Centenary medallions and prize money.

Mrs Barb Dunlop becomes the first female to be elected to the Royal South Street Society Committee.

Keeping pace with the times, new successful sections are added to the Competition’s program including Contemporary Choral and Modern Vocal Ensembles. A weekend Play Festival is also introduced with adjudicators Julian Oldfield and Peter Tullock.

The Mechanics Institute is used for the Brass Bands’ warm-up.

The Federal Minister for Arts, Senator Bob McMullan visits the Eisteddfod and a civic reception is held for Jason Wasley, Herald Sun Aria Winner.

Richard Bayly is awarded an Order of Australia for services to music and the Most Graceful Girl Competition celebrates a 70th birthday.

Dancing sections prove more popular than ever with two thirds of competitors travelling from Melbourne and the Courier Ballad is held in the Diocesan Centre due to an overwhelming number of entries.

Barb Dunlop becomes the first female President of the Royal South Street Society which began 120 year earlier in 1879 as the Young Men’s General Debating Society.

The Herald Sun Aria celebrates 75 years, with Maxine Montgomery a Ballarat Soprano one of six finalists selected to compete for a Grand Prize of $10,000 cash and $20,000 scholarship for overseas tuition. The evening was compered by Roger Lemke, the son and grandson of one of Ballarat’s famous singing families, and winner of the Aria in 1985.

“…The Herald Sun Aria is well established as one of the finest singing competitions in the country, with a healthy future for the next generations of performers.”

South Street runs a unique Highland Pipe Competition with a live cross to 3BA

Royal South Street is numbered in the top three most valuable Ballarat’s most valuable icons and the City of Ballarat recognises the remarkable work of South Street’s volunteers by hosting a Civic Reception.