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Ballarat Libraries in partnership with BMI

Meet Ann Cleeves
Meet Ann Cleeves on her 2022 Australian tour as she discusses Vera Stanhope’sreturn in her newest book, The Rising Tide.
Ann Cleeves is the creator of popular detictives Vera Stanhome (ITV’s Vera), Jimmy Perez (BBC One’s Shetland), and Matthew Venn IITV’s The Long Call).
 
Bookings are essential. Contact the Ballarat Library on 5338 6850.
Ann Cleeves

More about Ann

Jock Serong

More about the Jock

This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution

The Guardian | The Rural Newtork – I joined the oldest and most overlooked library in my town – and it feels like being part of a secret club – Dellaram Vreeland

03/11/2025 No Comments

The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute has had a reading room for 165 years but today it has just 530 members – and tens of thousands of book lovers are missing out. I love my local libraries. I adore the staff, the ambience, the facilities and the free wifi. As a freelancer, hot-desking without needing to pay

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

03/11/2025 No Comments

The Outlaw’s Daughter Anna Romer Notorious bushranger Henry Hawke has spent ten years in chains, but nothing could prepare him for the shackles of desire when he meets Solaine Granger. She’s everything he can never have-a lady, a mother, a woman who believes men like him deserve to hang. Young widow Solaine has been taught

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Update: Stella Day Out Ballarat

28/10/2025 No Comments

Stella Day Out Ballarat Direct from a sold out seasons in Melbourne, Byron Bay, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. Limited tickets still available | FREE booking. Don’t miss this opportunity to join BMI and Stellafor these two free talks. Get Tickets Find out more about these authors More about The Stella Prize

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

27/10/2025 No Comments

The Lucky Sisters Rachael Johns Don’t miss Rachael at the BMI on Tuesday 6 November at 6.30pm The breakout blockbuster of the year – a deeply moving novel about life, death and the miracles in between, by the award-winning author of The Patterson Girls. Will their luck run out? What would you do if you thought

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Newsletter – digital versus interactive PDF

25/10/2025 No Comments

How would you like to receive your newsletter – digital version or – interactive PDF version Digital Version Click here Interactive PDF dOWNLOAD HERE Newsletter style Digital version Interactive PDF I don’t mind, either I am a BMI member Yes No Email(Required)

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Newsletter – November 2025

23/10/2025 No Comments

A Message from the Chair… | Rosemary’s New Releases and Recommendations | Twilight Talks – Author Talks – Live Comedy – Night Tours – Live Theatre

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Guides in period costume

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Night Tours

Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov

& Fri 12 Dec
 

Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm. 

Get Tickets

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

 
Give Now >

 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.
electronic noticeboard calendar HALF PRICE
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Purchase yours now
Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

BMI Fundraiser tickets here
Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May. 

Find out More

Spring Season, History Talks:

Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm. 

Find out More
Get Tickets

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Find out More

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information
portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets
guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets. 

Get Tickets
portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025. 

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Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

More

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

More

 Coming in November…

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

Find out More
Get Tickets

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

Raise a Glass for Brass. 

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm. 

Get Tickets

 Coming soon…

Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.

Find out More
Get Tickets

 Coming soon…

Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns

Find out More
Get Tickets

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

More
Get Tickets

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm. 

Find out More
Get Tickets

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing

find out more