History
BeginningsThe Society began in 1879, as a young men’s Debating Society. They were very active, and soon took over a hall in South Street, Ballarat, and thus became known as the “South Street Society”. They engaged in other debating competitions for the next 12 years, then commenced their own “South Street” competitions in 1891. Their efforts expanded into many areas - acting, singing, music, dance, calisthenics; even spelling, typewriting, cooking, gum leaf playing, and school aerobics on occasions. Brass Bands commenced in 1901 and became immensely popular, with Ballarat hosting a full scale military tattoo famous throughout the world. Calisthenics commenced in 1903, and now Australia’s premier competition is held at South Street. VenuesObviously the society outgrew the hall in South Street, and at various times, through huge public appeals, purchased the Skipton Street Hall (1886), Coliseum (1908), Alfred Hall (leased 1936), and Her Majesty’s Theatre (HMT) (1965), to house the enormous numbers of people involved. From 1896 onwards, the Mechanics Institute, HMT, and Civic Hall were used as well, with competitors repeating performances in 2 venues! Special “competition trains” brought the great crowds from Melbourne in the early 1900’s. The amazing “Coliseum” held 8000 people, and was built in 77 days, in 1908 ! A feat unbelievable even today. It was ultimately destroyed by fire in 1936. HMT was then operating as a Hoyt’s cinema. The Society raised a massive appeal, and purchased the theatre in 1965. Dressing rooms were added, and major upgrades made to stage and electrics. It became the “Memorial Theatre”, and the competitions have continued there until the current day. The theatre was gifted to the City of Ballarat in 1987 to enable Government funding for major repairs, upgrades, and restoration of the building to “heritage authenticity”. This is Her Majesty’s as you know it today, Australia’s oldest continuously operating lyric theatre, opened in 1875, now 113 years of performing tradition. |
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