Stephanie Alway
About 2000 spectators will gather over the weekend to watch a 120-year-old tradition unfold across Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat, with the Peace and Quiet Graceful solo competition taking centre stage last night. Royal South Street Society calisthenics marketing manager Emma Sbardella said the solo had been running since 1924 and was unique to the Ballarat event. “We have 29 competitors – aged 17 and older – from all across Australia who have had to compete in a series of rounds to get here,” Ms Sbardella said.“It is one of the biggest nights in calisthenics in our competition.”Ms Sbardella said the spectators travelled from across the country to watch the event.“We have people sign up 12 months in advance,” she said.“There is a lot of tradition.“Some people have been coming all their lives to the event or they were previously a graceful girl.”The event, Ms Sbardella said, had put Ballarat on the calisthenics map.“It is lovely night for people to come and catch up with those that they only see once a year,” she said.The Royal South Street Society calisthenics competition will conclude on Sunday, October 30.