Celebrating our Volunteers & Members

We hope everyone enjoyed our Members and Volunteers Christmas Thank you. We loved having the Ballarat Singers and The Little Brass Band entertain and share the celebration. Below is special 12 Days of Christmas composed just for us by Fiona Watson and the team.  Paula Nicholson

The BMI’s 12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
A year’s membership for free.

On the second day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the third day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the fourth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the fifth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the sixth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the seventh day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Seven author’s talks
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the eighth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me

Eight of Liam’s live events
Seven author’s talks
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the ninth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Nine books for sale
Eight of Liam’s live events
Seven author’s talks
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the tenth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Ten fashion fundraisers
Nine books for sale
Eight of Liam’s live events
Seven author’s talks
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the eleventh day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Eleven sparkling volunteers
Ten fashion fundraisers
Nine books for sale
Eight of Liam’s live events
Seven author’s talks
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

On the twelfth day of Christmas Mechanics gave to me
Twelve bright board members
Eleven sparkling volunteers
Ten fashion fundraisers
Nine books for sale
Eight of Liam’s live events
Seven author’s talks
Six of Mark’s newsletters
Five vintage frocks
Four of Rosemary’s helpers
Three of Malcom’s Devon Teas
Two Twilight Talks
And a membership for free

Recent News

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. 

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

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

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

 Coming soon

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

 Coming soon

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

Raise a Glass for Brass

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

 Coming in November

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

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. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Spring Season, History Talks:

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

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

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 

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.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing