Royal South Street Society’s Australian Calisthenics Competition commenced in 1903 and today is one of the largest competitions in the country and has been , attracting clubs from WA, SA, NSW, ACT, QLD and of course Victoria.

All teams competing must adhere to The Australian Calisthenic Federation Rules, which are the standard for all competitions and items throughout Australia. The Royal South Street Society is exempt from The Victorian Rules and the Guideline for Team/Solo Competitions as set by CVI.

A choir is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. The Royal South Street Sociteyls Choral Contest include Open Age, primary and secondary choirs. Sections within the competition include show and performance choir, gospel, Christmas carols, small choral groups, acappella small choirs, community choirs for a cause, indigenous / multicultural choir sections.

The VBL, in conjunction with the Royal South Street Society, is pleased to announce that the 2023 State Band Championships shall be held in Ballarat.

The adjudicator for the event will be Maureen Cameron. Maureen pursued her music education at Salford College, under the tutelage of distinguished professors such as David King, Roy Newsome, and Elgar Howarth and was one of the last students to work with the legendary Harry Mortimer OBE before completing her studies. She was a long-standing member of the world-famous Foden’s Band (England) and maintains active ties with the band. She has won most major Brass Band titles in Europe and Australia as either a player or conductor and her school ensembles have achieved considerable success in UK and Australia including performances at BBC Proms. She is currently Musical Director of ‘Women in Brass’ and is a playing member with the 2023, Champion Brass Band of Australia, Sydney City Brass.

When the South Street Young Men’s General Debating Society was established in 1879, Essays, Elocution, Readings, Lectures and Recitations were integral. Through the 1920’s and 30’s topics tended to feature the political and social issues of the day.

With then future Prime Ministers Alfred Deakin and James Scullin, the Society’s most vibrant supporters – it was surprising to see debating deleted from the 1940 competitions, however it made a triumphant return in 1977.

Since then, debating continued to grow and was further strengthened with the introduction of a Primary School Section in 2002 and in 2019, the ACU Debating Challenge Cup was contested by 78 teams and 300 competitors from 16 schools across the Ballarat district.

The Herald Sun Aria, established in 1924, is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious prize for emerging classical singers. 2021 sees the Herald Sun Aria enter its 4th year with Melbourne Opera as their official partner.

Widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious competition for emerging opera singers, the Aria offers nearly $60,000 in cash prizes to enrich the training of our brightest talent. Entries must be aged between 19 – 36 years of age for this wonderful competition.

A night of opera – watch the drama and anticipation unfurl as five finalists compete against each other accompanied by the Melbourne Opera Orchestra under the baton of Greg Hocking.

The finalists will perform two Aria each, giving the audience an insight into various world operas as well as a night of sophisticated exhilaration. Master of Ceremonies, ABC’s Christopher Lawrence, will give a brief synopsis of each Aria. Also performing will music and voice students from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

In 2022 the Herald Sun Aria celebrates 99 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)

Royal South Street Society’s Speech and Drama competition is renowned for providing competitors with a challenging but relaxed environment in front of outstanding adjudicators. Competitors may enter prepared readings of poetry, recitation, impromptu mime, character performance, prepared readings, poem for two, group sections and improvisation sections.

In 2006, Mr. Andrew Cochrane initiated the inaugural Celebrating Chopin program in honour of his late mother, one of Australia’s leading pianist and teacher Margaret Schofield OAM.

Royal South Street Society’s Celebrating Chopin is open to any pianist age under 33 years who has been an Australian resident for two years prior to the competition. Competitors must present at least two significant works of Chopin in the 16-33 years age group or a choice one or more complete work or movement of Chopin in the Junior Chopin Section. The Program may include an Etude, a Ballade, Sonata movement, Scherzo, the Barcarolle, or a similar large work.

The Schimmel Pianoforte competition at Royal South Street has launched many young performers careers in the competitions 130 year history. The Schimmel Pianoforte competition is open to all ages from under 8 years – 19 years, VCE students and Open Age sections. The Schimmel Pianoforte Competition has many special awards with up to $300 cash prize money on offer.