Tribute to Royal South Street Society Founder
Next month Royal South Street Society will officially unveil the restored gravestone of it’s founder William Duguid Hill, as part of the Society’s 125th celebrations.
William Duguid Hill, three times Mayor of Ballarat, founded the South Street Society in 1879 and gave generously of his time to many civic and charitable organisations including the Mechanics Institute and Ballarat Orphanage.
He was also prominent in the Forward Ballarat movement, a councillor of the Mining and Agricultural Schools, Secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and founder of what would become Ballarat Regional Tourism.
From its early origins as a debating society in Hill’s mother’s house in South Street, Royal South Street has now grown to be Australia’s longest running and most prestigious Eisteddfod. Each year it contributes over $14 million to the local economy and provides over 10,000 aspiring performers with the opportunity to compete and further their careers at home and abroad.
PPT are the naming rights sponsor for Royal South Street Society’s 125th Year Celebrations through 2016. Learn more about the celebration and calendar of events here.
