Following the gold rushes of the 1850s and under the influence of Welsh miners
and settlers annual music and arts festivals were established, at first in
Victoria. The first of these was the Music Society of Victoria, which was established
in 1861 and the Royal South Street Society, which was establisted in 1879.
These are often, but not always, referred to as Eisteddfods. There are competitions,
festivals, challenges and other events, all of which have the character of
an Eisteddfod. A history of Australian Eisteddfods has been written by Cath
Filmer-Davies - Eisteddfod - a Welsh Tradition in Australia, Seren
Press, Brisbane 2001
The musical and arts life of Canberra dates from its earliest years. During the
second phase of Canberra's building - 1922-1938 - the Canberra community had
the benefit of a multi-ethnic community, no radio (till the early 1930s) and
a high community participation in the performing arts. The Christmas edition
1927 of the Federal Capital pioneer reported a concert by the Canberra Orchestral
Society's 40 players. A Repertory Society and Choral society had been formed,
ethnic national days were celebrated and 1929 saw the establishment of the Canberra
Male Choir.
It was members of this Choir who spearheaded the move to establish an eisteddfod
in Canberra - a leader was William J Hunt (later Musical Director of the Canberra
Philharmonic Society) who raised the proposal at the Choir's AGM in 1935, and
asked at the 1936 AGM 'what progress?'. But by June 1937 arrangements had been
completed for a juvenile eisteddfod with awards of gold (30/-, shillings, first)
and silver (10/- second) medals. Some of the early competitors are still (2003)
in Canberra and the Society has a copy of the adjudicator's report for one
competitor. A draft constitution for an incorporated community Society was
presented by November 1937. A donation of 20 guineas in September 1938 and
an affiliation fee 20 shillings in April 1939 rounded out the Choir's initial
support for the Canberra Eisteddfod Society.
Eisteddfods, with sections in voice, instrument and dance were held from 1938
to 1941 when the Society went into recess due to the constraints of the war effort
for the Second World War.
The late 1940s to early 1950s saw a revival in community activity, together with
the determination by the Federal Government in the early 1950s to fund the third
phase of Canberra's development. THese developments provided encouragement for
the community to revive the eisteddfod in Canberra.
The Australian National Eisteddfod Society Inc - was formed under the Patronage
of the then Governor-General, with Vice-Patrons being the Prime Minister, the
Minister for the Interior and the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom.
The eisteddfod was to be a vehicle to encourage and foster the national
development of
the performing arts.
An annual eisteddfod has been held each year since 1955.