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About us
What’s On
Venue Hire
The Collection
- Ferdinand von Mueller Collection
- Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Image Collection
  - Max Harris Images | MH 321 onwards
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- Volunteer at the BMI
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Support Us
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Newsletter

Newsletter – March 2026

Newsletter / By Mark

Rosemary’s New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks – Live Music – Film – Live Comedy – LIve Theatre – Art Workshop – Royal South Street 2026 Season – Ballarat Writers.

Newsletter – March 2026 Read More »

Newsletter – February 2026

Newsletter / By Mark

Rosemary’s New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks – Live Music – Public Talk – Film – Live Comedy – LIve Theatre | The digital version of the newsletter will be available here after 5.15pm today. The interactive PDF is available here.

Newsletter – February 2026 Read More »

Newsletter – January 2026

Newsletter / By Mark

Rosemary’s New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks – Live Music – Public Talk – Art Workshop | The digital version of the newsletter will be available here after 5.15pm today. The interactive PDF is available here.

Newsletter – January 2026 Read More »

Newsletter – December 2025

Newsletter / By Mark

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

Newsletter – December 2025 Read More »

Newsletter – November 2025

Newsletter / By Mark

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

Newsletter – November 2025 Read More »

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed & Fri: 10am – 4pm

Tue & Thu: 10am – 3pm

Saturday: 9:30am – 12pm

Where are we?

117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central
Victoria 3350 Australia

ABN 53 004 034 575

Library Contact

Rosemary McInerney
(03) 5331 3042
library@ballaratmi.org.au

Board & Staff Contact

Venue Contacts

Bookings
0419 677 713
bookings@ballaratmi.org.au

Liam Mudge
Venue Manager
(03) 5331 3042
venue@ballaratmi.org.au

Venue Hire DOCUMENTS

Library closures for the following Public Holidays

Australia Day Holiday
Tuesday 26 January, 2027

Labour Day
Monday 9 March, 2026

Good Friday
Friday 3 April, 2026

Easter Monday
Monday 6 April, 2026

ANZAC Day
Saturday 25 April, 2026

King’s Birthday
Monday 8 June, 2026

AFL Grand Final – Subject to
AFL schedule. September 2026

Melbourne Cup
Tuesday 3 November, 2026

Christmas Day
Friday 25 December, 2026

New Year’s Day
Friday 1 January, 2027

Boxing Day
Saturday 26 December, holiday Monday 28 December 2026

Festive season Library closures:

Monday 21 December, 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027 (open again Monday 4 January 2027 at 10am).

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Venue Contacts

Bookings
Venue Booking Coordinator
0419 677 713
bookings@ballaratmi.org.au

Liam Mudge
Venue Operations Manager
(03) 5331 3042
venue@ballaratmi.org.au

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed & Fri:
10am – 4pm
Tue, Thu:
10am – 3pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 12pm

Library closures on the the following public holidays

Australia Day Holiday
Tuesday 26 January 2027

Labour Day
Monday 9 March 2026

Good Friday
Friday 3 April 2026

Easter Monday
Monday 6 April 2026

ANZAC Day
Saturday 25 April 2026

King’s Birthday
Monday 8 June 2026

Friday before AFL Grand Final
Subject to AFL schedule

Melbourne Cup
Tuesday 3 November 2026

Christmas Day
Friday 25 December 2026

Boxing Day

Saturday 26 December, holiday Monday 28 December 2026

New Year’s Day
Friday 1 January, 2027

Festive season Library closures:

Monday 21 December, 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027 (open again Monday 4 January 2027 at 10am).

Get in touch

(03) 5331 3042
library@ballaratmi.org.au

117-119 Sturt Street Ballarat Central
Victoria 3350 Australia

ABN 53004 034 575

Board Members & Staff Contact

Venue Hire Docs - CLICK HERE

BMI Newsletter Subscription

Copyright © 2026 Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute
Website by Small Dog Design

BMI acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the BMI building stands.

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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.

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

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

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

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.

Performance tickets

More information

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.

Performance tickets

More information

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

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar

Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40

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

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your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal

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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