The South Street Society was an organisation based in Ballarat, Victoria, which conducted a series of performing arts contests and concerts originally styled the "South Street Competitions", which developed into the "Grand National Eisteddfod", later the Royal South Street Eisteddfod, not to be confused with the Ballarat Welsh Eisteddfods.
The contests began as a public speaking and debating competition held by Ballarat's South Street Young Men's General Debating Society within its own membership, then between similar societies in the region. It expanded in range and scope into musical and calisthenic performances, drawing entries from all parts of Australasia. Much of its success can be attributed to its organising secretary, W. D. Hill. and his successor, L. A. Blackman.
Despite the contests' brief and peripheral association with the Ballarat location, "South Street" has remained part of its title for over 130 years.
History
South Street Competitions
The South Street Young Men's General Debating Society was founded on 10 July 1879 with seven members, all senior students of the Central State night school, at the residence of 21 year-old W. D Hill. Hill was elected president, and J. Menzies hon. secretary, and the Societies' Hall on the corner of South and Skipton streets adopted for their Friday meetings. In 1881 Hill became secretary, a position he held until the year he died. The Society grew rapidly, and in February 1883 met in Henry Oyston's new Lyceum hall in Lyons Street north. Attempts were made to stimulate competition among similar clubs in the area, to which end the Ballarat M.I.A. Union was formed, holding literary competitions (mostly recitations) from 1880. but with the South Street club outclassing the rest in competitions and leadership, interest in the Union faltered. In 1886 members of the club "read" Retribution, a play by member R. C. Molyneux, then performed it at the Academy of Music, to faint praise. With great faith in their future, the Society set about building their own hall on rented land close to the Societies' Hall. The Skipton Street Hall was officially opened in June 1886 by Alfred Deakin MLA. They produced plays, conducted fruit and flower exhibitions, bazaars and sideshows, ran a skating rink and other activities to help with their building fund. At the time of signing, they had £70 in the bank, yet within two years £700 of their £1,000 loan had been paid off. In 1890 the Society unanimously decided to remove the bar to membership of Roman Catholics. The Loyal Orange Lodge admonished members W. D. Hill and Fred Barrow; they quit the Lodge in protest. The contest was renamed the South Street Literary and Musical Competitions in 1891, and expanded in scope each year: in 1892 there were 60 separate contests — debates, speeches, recitations, readings, and vocal and instrumental music, and a new category — cooking. At first entries were limited to citizens of the Ballarat district, then Victoria, finally in 1895 all of Australasia. The society was fortunate in the patronage of the Governor, Lord Hopetoun, who first presented the prizes in 1891; his continuing interest has been credited much of the Society's success, also from Ballarat-born Deakin, a strong supporter from its early days, throughout his political career, including his time as Prime Minister. The huge task of organisation remained with the South Street Debating Society, with the burden of work borne by the secretary W. D. Hill, to universal acclaim. For the competitions of 1900, which were spread out over a month, two innovations were made — a brass band contest and an undeclared public holiday on the last Friday. As competition organisers, the word "Debating" was progressively dropped, and by 1901 they had become "South Street Society" in official pronouncements, and formally changed in 1908. A notable entrant for the 1901 debates was James Scullin, a recent arrival in Ballarat and new member of the Society.
Controversially, they decided to bring out, from England, the eminent musician J. Ord Hume to adjudicate the 1902 band contests. Though expensive, it added legitimacy to the contests, and was later credited with raising the standard of Australian brass bands. Hume was generous with his praise, candid with his criticisms and made a great number of concrete suggestions, all of which were gratefully received. He praised the rules drawn up for band competition by the Victorian Band Association, and thereafter maintained an interest in the South Street competitions.