Monday 14 November at 10.30, Old Cemetery, Ballarat
The unveiling and restoration of William Hill’s gravestone to commemorate the three times Mayor of Ballarat and founder of Royal South Street will take place at Ballarat’s Old Cemetery on 14 December, which was the date of his death. Hill played an active role in Ballarat’s cultural and economic life and held many offices with the Mechanics Institute, the Ballarat Orphanage and established what would become Ballarat Regional Tourism.
Location details below:
Sunday 30 October at 7.30pm
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will perform in Ballarat on 30 October where the internationally acclaimed opera singer first won the Herald Sun Aria in 1966 at Royal South Street. Dame Kiri became Patron for South Street in 2006. Tickets are available at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
“The city holds special memories for me. It was there that I won the Herald Sun Aria in 1966, and this was a big influence on my decision to travel to the UK for extended study at the London Opera Centre which provided opportunities to launch my career.”
The Herald Sun Aria
Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious competition for emerging opera singers, the Herald Sun Aria offers over $60,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to enrich the training of our brightest talent.
In 2016 the Herald Sun Aria celebrates 92 years of launching the international careers of many well-known singers, including: Dame Malvina Major (1964) Dame Kiri Te Kanawa 1965), Jonathon Summers (1973), Judith Henley (1976), Roger Lemke (1985), Jason Wasley (1993), and Rachelle Durkin (2000).
Heritage Weekend, Great Debate – We Need More Women in Government
Sunday 8 May at 12.30pm, Mining Exchange
During Heritage Weekend, Royal South Street will hold it’s second Great Debate at The Mining Exchange and will see Ballarat City Councillors go head to head on the topic ‘that we need more women in government.’ The debate echoes an early South Street debate where
The Mining Exchange shop front will also provide an opportunity for people to share and video their Royal South Street Story. If you can’t join us on the day but have a story to share, go to www.royalsouthstreet.com.au and click on our 125 website to find out how to upload and post your story. Words, photos and video are all welcome.
National Volunteers Week – An Evening with Cole Porter
Sunday 15 May at 6pm, Minerva Space at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute
An evening of entertainment, awards and performance will recognise the extraordinary work of Royal South Street’s 240 volunteers, and capture their memories and highlights as part of our Share your South Street story.
The evening, sponsored by CVI and the Ballarat Foundation, will feature acclaimed musician Michael Griffith who will pay tribute to the remarkable singer and songwriter Cole Porter. The evening will also provide an opportunity to welcome new volunteers to Royal South Street, particularly young people and businesses looking to grow their staff and community involvement in volunteering.
5,6 & 7 September, Miners Tavern
To celebrate our 125th anniversary, Royal South Street will introduce an inaugural competition category to our event calendar. Mi Sound has been designed for those studying VCE-VET Music Industry Skills programs and provides a genuine industry experience and opportunity to perform in a live venue, with feedback from well-known industry adjudicators. The event, sponsored by Ballarat Region Tourism, will be held over three days during the first week of September at the Miner’s Tavern and will become a permanent part of Royal South Street’s annual Eisteddfod program.
August is a happening month at South Street with Speech and Drama, Debating, Choral, Instrumental, Modern and Classical Vocal and Band sections about to take centre stage. Debating, Speech and Drama are now in their 125th year, Choral celebrates 119 years, and Brass Bands have clocked up 116 years. It’s a pretty impressive record. Find out more about session times at www.royalsouthstreet.com.au
Recent Stories
My South Street Story – Michael Stewart
My South Street Story – Ron Harrington
My South Street Story – Chris Bausch
My South Street Story – Katherine Nadis
My South Street Story – Colleen Holloway
A STAR IS BORN – FIONA JOPSON, HERALD SUN ARIA WINNER 2015
125 Logo Designer shares a three generation history with South Street
The Story of One Bloke, One Ballet Teacher and Three Daughters
Fun, Friendships and a touch of Glitter
A father’s reflection of his first visit to The Royal South Street Eisteddfod