About Us

Our Vision

To conduct Australia’s premier Eisteddfod, promoting and encouraging participation, enjoyment and enrichment through the performing arts.

Values

We are welcoming, professional and respectful.

We provide opportunities for performers to develop and flourish.

We are inclusive and embrace diversity.

We act with honesty and integrity.

We are committed to excellence.

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Community

The Royal South Street Society is Australia’s oldest and longest running Eisteddfod, first established in 1891. Since then, over one million aspiring performing artists have had the opportunity to shine on the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod stage.

Untold thousands of performing artists have 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 Lemke, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Anthony Callea and more.

The Society was granted ‘Royal’ status by the Queen in 1962 for services to the community and has since been honoured with many community service awards. The Royal South Street Society also helped develop national copyright protocols for eisteddfods and established the Australian Eisteddfod Association.

Ballarat Eisteddfod

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod currently runs throughout June to October each year. The Eisteddfod includes 11 theatrical disciplines of voice, music, and movements, providing some 40,000+ on-stage performance opportunities for artists from all over Australia and is conducted in quality venues throughout the Ballarat region, including the stunning historical Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Ballarat Mechanics Institute, ACU Connors Hall and more.

The Royal South Street Society is overseen by a volunteer Board, A small office team organise and promote the annual Eisteddfod, assisted by up to 200 volunteers as Discipline Chairs, committee members, ushers, security, writers, timers, back-stage crew, stage managers, and MCs.

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Funding

The Royal South Street 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, local and state government, individuals and families, committees, and volunteers.

As well as major sponsors, many individuals, alumni, families and organisations support sections and disciplines aligned to their personal choice and passions. You too, can join our supporter's community!

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

The Royal South Street Society is a Child Safe organisation.

We are committed to child safety; we have zero tolerance for child abuse along with a commitment to children’s best interests and keeping them safe. We actively work to listen to and empower children who perform at our Eisteddfod.

For further information contact Royal South Street Society Child Safety Officer on 5332 1054.

All children have the right to feel safe and to be safe all of the time.

Creative Victoria

Creative Victoria - Eisteddfod Grants

Creative Victoria works with eisteddfod organisation Royal South Street Society (RSSS) to support eisteddfods across Victoria through an annual grants program. Local eisteddfods across Victoria can apply via RSSS for a grant to support the cost of engaging professional adjudicators for their competitions.

The Victorian Government’s support through Creative Victoria is currently $400,000 for the 1st Jan 2020 to the 31st December 2023 for Victorian Regional Eisteddfods. RSSS receives the funds and distributes as per the approved funding schedule each year.

Ron Harrington, RSSS Board member and AESA Secretary, administers the grants on behalf of RSSS.

For more information, please email finance@royalsouthstreet.com.au