BMI Board Members
The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is a not for profit organisation, with a Board comprising of community members, usually for a period of three years, with the option of applying for reappointment. A position on the Board is voluntary, with members receiving no remuneration. The Board is responsible for governance and, within its financial limitations, has developed a strategic direction for the management of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.
Institute Patrons
The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute nominates and invites people within the community to become a patron of the organisation. These patrons change regularly, and include the ‘Mayor-of-the-day’ and any other notable people who have contributed to the Institute or wider community.
Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves
Dr Phil Roberts OAM
Mayor - City of Ballarat
Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves
Cr Tracey Hargreaves was elected as the City of Ballarat Mayor following her election as Councillor for the Delacombe ward in October 2024. It is her second term on Council having previously served as Councillor from 2020 to 2024.
She has lived in Ballarat for over 40 years and is passionate about our open spaces and walking tracks, our sporting facilities and historical sites, and fabulous local businesses.
Cr Hargreaves’ focus for the 2024-2028 Council term is on getting back to basics and supporting residents to thrive and enjoy the beautiful city they live in.
She is a Yoga and Pilates teacher and small business owner, as well as a secondary school teacher. Related to her professional expertise, Cr Hargreaves has a keen interest in wellbeing and supportive mental health practices like exercise, social connection and education.
Cr Hargreaves is a previous member of Commerce Ballarat and has a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts.
She has a husband and two children, along with a huge Groodle named Rocky. She is also lucky to have a lot of extended family still living in Ballarat.
Committees and Boards 2024/25
- Community Impact Grant Allocations Delegated Committee
- Her Majesty’s Theatre Board Delegated Committee
- Planning Delegated Committee
- City Partnerships Delegated Committee
- Coghill’s Creek/Glendaruel Cemetery
- Learmonth Cemetery
- Ballarat Airport/Aerodrome Stakeholder Reference Group
- Lake Wendouree and Gardens Stakeholder Reference Group
- Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Stakeholder Reference Group
- LGTBQIA+ Advisory Committee
- Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA)
- Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC)
- Regional Cities Victoria
Patron & Past President
Dr Phil Roberts OAM
Qualifications:
- Qualifications: BA, MEd, PhD
Former school teacher and Principal, Phil is the author of 15 local history books, member Ballarat Golf Club, Royal Tennis Club and a keen cyclist.
His extraordinary knowledge of the BMI continues to be invaluable. He is also co-host of the much loved and volunteer run Twilight Talks.
Past President 2004-07

Paula Nicholson

Jane Valpied

Cathy Drake

Malcolm Roberts

Edward Petrie

Jennifer Hudson

Charlotte King

President
Paula Nicholson
Paula believes her membership of the BMI Board allows her to assist in the facilitation of the maximum usage of this iconic facility in the CBD, inspiring collaboration with organisations concentrating on education, research, heritage, information dissemination, and community building.
Paula returned to live in Ballarat over 25 years ago, and has been active in the Not for Profit sector in Fundraising, Events, Community Engagement and Governance for over 15 years across a range of local organisations.
Having a long-term connection with Ballarat, she attended Ballarat College as a Boarder for the final two years of her secondary education, then completed a Science Degree at Melbourne University majoring in Psychology. Paula went on to subsequently work in Business Analysis, Human Resources, Customer Service and Management, in Melbourne and Singapore for multi-national Dunn and Bradstreet.
In 1996 she returned to Ballarat where, with her husband, they purchased the generational family business, Nicholson Construction. Having grown up in the small regional community of Nhill, Paula has an understanding of the way smaller communities can work together to create opportunities for advancement, investment and growth. She believes that Ballarat is a wonderful and unique place to live and one where those who wish to, can make a real difference to the future of this prosperous regional centre by getting involved and making and leveraging connections of their own.
To this end, she sees herself as a Community Builder and is committed to utilising her experience and large network to encourage the broader community to be involved with both the heritage and future of the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute.

Vice President
Jane Valpied
Jane is an accomplished property valuer, building designer & community and landowner engagement professional who has excellent communication and project management skills. Jane lives in Ballarat with her husband Tim & has three adult children. Jane is passionate about the preservation of Ballarat’s historic buildings. Jane loves to catch up with family & friends in her spare time.

Secretary
Cathy Drake
Cathy is a commercial lawyer and a director of Nevetts Lawyers. She has lived and worked in Ballarat for over 25 years, and in that time has been involved in a number of local community not for profit organisations as a board or committee member and as a volunteer.

Board Member | Chair of Fundraising & Appeals Committte
Malcolm Roberts
Malcolm Roberts is Ballarat born and educated. He has had a varied business career in hospitality, corporate management and senior management where he was responsible for delivering high levels of customer service. Malcolm has a firm commitment and passion for the Ballarat community and the region, supporting local small businesses and understands their impact on the economy of our great city. Malcolm sits on the Ballarat Art Foundation Board and is a proud Alfredton Rotarian.
Malcolm is also Chair of the Fundraising and Appeals Committee

Board Member | Chair of Finance & Risk Committee
Edward Petrie
Edward has spent his entire life connected to Ballarat. Growing up in the nearby town of Ampitheatre and attending school in Ballarat, he understands the importance of connection to place as well as planning for the future.
Originally qualified as a heavy diesel mechanic and employed within the mining industry for close to a decade, Edward sought a change of career and is now an accountant for a local Ballarat firm. Edward lives in Ballarat with his partner and their young daughter. In his spare time, Edward enjoys walking, hiking, playing golf and spending time with his family and friends.
Edward is also Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee

Board Member
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer has a Diploma of Business in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration and has an extensive understanding of business operations and management. She brings over 10 years of service and experience as a Company Secretary and Director to the BMI Board.
Jennifer enjoys being involved in the local community and is an active Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia & New Zealand; which ensures she keeps abreast of current management and governance issues.
Jennifer’s particular areas of interest in an organisation are finance, strategy, and governance.

Board Member
Charlotte King
Charlotte King is a researcher with the ABC’s Regional Investigations unit. She works in collaboration with regional and specialist reporters around the country to research, develop and produce original national stories, in the public interest, for programmes including Four Corners, Background Briefing and 7:30. Previously she worked as a news reporter in Mildura and Ballarat, where she covered the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and its aftermath, for national news and current affairs programs including AM, The World Today and PM.
Charlotte was nominated for a Walkley in 2020 for her Background Briefing story on preventable regional stillbirths with producer Andy Burns and awarded a Quill for the same story in the Regional and Rural Journalism category in 2021. She was also awarded a Quill in 2022 for her Background Briefing on a child abuse cover-up involving former members of the Victorian Government and the Ballarat Orphanage.
Governance
Organisation Staff
BMI News
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