THE Royal South Street Society Eisteddfod has ended for another year, reporting more than 25,000 participants in 2025 including performers, supporters and audience members.<\/p>\n
Of competition entrants, 75 per cent travelled to Ballarat to compete and more than half stayed at least one night in town, contributing $2 million to the local economy.<\/p>\n
For 86 per cent of participants who travelled, the Eisteddfod was their main reason for visiting Ballarat.<\/p>\n
“We conducted a survey through our eisteddfod this year and what we did find is we have a significant number of people who come to Ballarat just for Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod,” Royal South Street Society executive officer Judy-Ann Quilliam said.<\/p>\n
“Whilst they’re here they stay; they stay at least overnight and also many stay for two nights.<\/p>\n
“We know that they eat, shop and explore in Ballarat.”<\/p>\n
There were 5190 entries in this year’s competition and more than 11,000 performers who took to the stage.<\/p>\n
Volunteers provided more than 10,000 hours of support.<\/p>\n
“We have a very small team, and it is volunteers who run all of our disciplines and operations when they actual eisteddfod is going,” Ms Quilliam said.<\/p>\n
The annual event has been in existence for 135 years.<\/p>\n
More than $160,000 is sourced annually in sponsorships, donations and trusts towards prize money, trophies and events for performers.<\/p>\n
“The income we gain from entries and audience fees really only covers our basic costs,” Ms Quilliam said.<\/p>\n
“To be able to offer prizes, trophies, scholarships, we really very much rely on our community.<\/p>\n
“That of course is what keeps bringing competitors back to Ballarat.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Royal South Street Society Eisteddfod has ended for another year, reporting more than 25,000 participants in 2025 including performers, supporters and audience members. Of competition entrants, 75 per cent travelled to Ballarat to compete and more than half stayed at least one night in town, contributing $2 million to the local economy. For 86 […]<\/p>\n