About Us

ROYAL SOUTH STREET SOCIETY

A.C.N. 004 058 020 A.B.N. 33 764 110 838

GRAND NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF AUSTRALASIA

HONORARY PATRONS

Professor David de Kretser, AO Governor of Victoria.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Lady Primrose Potter, A.C.

Mr. Don Kinsey.

OFFICE BEARERS 2007-08
 

President: Don Rickerby

Hon. Treasurer: Bob Matthews

Chief Executive Officer: Peter Bowler

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

LIFE MEMBERS

Community

The Competitions have supported 5 generations of aspiring Australians. Untold thousands of artists have made their mark on the stage, and left a little piece of their heart in Ballarat. They have shared a moment of history with the likes of James Scullin, Alfred Deakin, Mary Grant Bruce, Amy Castles, Joan Kirner, Denise Drysdale, Betty Pounder, David Atkins, Robert Lempke, Kiri Te Kanawa and more.

The Society was granted “Royal” status in 1962 for services to the community. In recent times we were honoured with 5 community service awards. We also helped develop national copyright protocols for competitions, and established the Australian Eisteddfod Association.

Competitions

The Competitions currently run for 11 weeks each year. They cover 17 theatrical disciplines of voice, music, and movements, and provide some 43000 on-stage performance opportunities for artists from all over Australia. In the past decade we have introduced Highland bands and dancing, TV auditions, and Modern Vocal sections. We use 4 or more venues as well as HM Theatre.

There are 14 committee persons, plus partners, and 3 valiant office staff, who organise the annual event. We are assisted by theatre staff, Fire Brigade, and over 200 amazing volunteers who willingly help as writers, ushers, back stage crew, and chairmen etc.

The total voluntary input last year was equivalent to 5.1 years of manpower !

Funding

The Society is a not-for-profit organisation. The charges for entry and admission only cover 50% of production costs. We are extremely grateful for the additional funding that comes from generous sponsors, businesses, City Council, individuals and families, committee, and some volunteers themselves.

As the nation’s wealth concentrates in fewer and fewer hands, the search for support becomes increasingly difficult. As well as major sponsors, you will find many new people sponsoring individual sections dear to their hearts. However we would earnestly welcome more new friends to share the path to excellence.

Heart

The whole Eisteddfod is a partnership between ourselves, staff, sponsors, performers, and audience, none of whom could survive without the other. Our life blood is the goodwill of everyone involved. There is a generosity that comes from the heart, and is devoted to providing you with support and encouragement in the performing arts. There is a passion that your self esteem and confidence will flourish. There is a hope that you will enjoy and treasure your time at South Street always.

2009 Draft Timetable The 2009 draft timetable is now available. Click here to download a copy. Enquiries over Christmas and New Year Please send any enquiries over the Christmas and New Year period to rsss@netconnect.com.au. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Merchandise Sale RSSS has badges and spoons from previous competitions for sale at discounted prices. Click here to view what is available.

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