History of the
Mildura Eisteddfod Society Inc.

The Mildura Eisteddfod Society has been operating since 1978.  It holds competitions in MUSIC (Piano, Brass, Woodwind, Recorder, Strings, Vocal, Choral, Vocal Country music, Instrumental Solo, Ensembles, and Groups, Jazz and Folk) DANCE (Classical Ballet, Song and Dance and Tap) and SPEECH and DRAMA.

The Mildura Art Centre Theatre has been the home of the Mildura Eisteddfod since its inception in 1978.  The original investigative group of members of the Australian Society of Music Education were:- Mr. Len Krause, Mr. Bob Ford, Mr. Glenn Miller, Mrs. Pam Hawson, Mrs. Ruby Hayles, Mrs. Helen Eddie, Mrs. Dorothy Stevens, Mrs. Kath McCormick, Mrs Vaughan Stirrat and Mrs. Charlotte Harvey.

They were all involved in music, dance or theatre in some capacity.

The first Mildura Eisteddfod Society Committee members were:-

The first Mildura Eisteddfod was held at the Mildura Arts Centre on the 14th, 15th and 16th June, 1979

The reason for initiating the Mildura Eisteddfod was essentially to encourage and foster the Performing Arts, particularly in the interest of Young People.  This continues to be the aim of our Eisteddfod.

Over the years the event has grown from  three days of competition to the twelve to fourteen days it now occupies in the theatre each year during June.

The event now attracts competitors from three states. The Committee also receive applications from the highest qualified and competent adjudicators in the country.  Both competitors and adjudicators express their appreciation of the facilities and organisation of the event.

During  1980’s the committee had attracted members such as Fran Gallagher, Betty Johnston, Roger Stirrat, Norma Webb, Keith Webb, Judith Bridley, K. Dwyer, Jean Smith, Wilma Smart, Jay Ashworth, and Reg Etherington.  Throughout the years the organising skills of the Committee have been honed to a very high standard.

Crowd numbers vary during the Eisteddfod. School Choir groups attract capacity crowds, and group numbers also have strong support. The theatre seats 400 in comfortable surrounds.

Committee members who have joined the ranks in the 1990’s were:- Kevin Green, Wendy Adams, David Jones, Jan Keil, Desley Leamon, Gayle Mathews, Judith Shaw, Chris Turk, Sharyn Campbell, Newton Hunt, Lisa De Maria and Les Seiffert. Click here to view the current committee.

The Eisteddfod has a huge band of supporters, the volunteers number in the hundreds, financial support comes from the local community, through The Mildura Rural City Council, many local businesses and service clubs.  QantasLink contribute by bringing the adjudicators from Melbourne.

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