About Us

The Ringwood Eisteddfod was established in 1954, as the brainchild of Mrs E.M. Taylor and her daughter, Mrs Ruth Hawkins. Music and the Eisteddfod has been a big part of Ruth’s family life, with the music tradition carried on by her daughters and grandchildren. Sixty six years on and four generations later, Ruth led the Ringwood Eisteddfod to become a community icon.

Mrs Taylor was at the time, President of the Ringwood Arts and Craft Society. The Eisteddfod was organised by the society until 1965, when Mrs Hawkins as President formed an Eisteddfod Committee, which continued to organise successful Eisteddfods to this day, now under the Presidency of Bernie Capicchiano since 2016.

The Eisteddfod is by far the largest and longest running cultural event in this area and over the years, has assisted thousands of students to perform in public and to receive a critique from top adjudicators in Australia. Originally, held in the former Ringwood Town Hall then moved to the Ringwood Lutheran Church Hall and is now held at the Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue Ringwood.

The Grand Final of the Ringwood Aria and Open Instrumental Finalists is held at the Karralyka Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood.

The competition has catered for a wide variety of disciplines, including Pianoforte; Strings; Classical Guitar; Woodwind and Brass; Vocal, with each discipline providing competition for junior and senior performers.

Past winners of the Ringwood Aria who are now with the Australian Opera or singing abroad include – Ian Vayne, Liane Keegan, Francesco Fabris, Lucya Jurkiw, Suzanne Ward, John Wegner, Ian Cousins, John Pringle.

Many others are now teachers, adjudicators etc.

Dancers who have performed in the Ringwood Eisteddfod are now with the Australian Ballet or performing in live theatre both here and overseas.

Competitors come to Ringwood Eisteddfod from all over Victoria and interstate. The competitions have greatly assisted these artists and many more to further their careers.

We look forward to your interest and support in the future.

Bernie Capicchiano, President, Ringwood Eisteddfod Incorporated
Ruth Hawkins OAM, Patron, Ringwood Eisteddfod Incorporated