The Collection

From the Curator | The Coliseum Fire

We are featuring a photograph from our Ballarat International Foto Biennale exhibition of photographs from the Max Harris Collection, ‘Coliseum Fire.’ The Coliseum was built in Ballarat in 1908 by the Royal South Street Society, a spacious new home for their celebrated Eisteddfods. By the 1930’s, the Coliseum had become a 4,000 seat theatre and […]

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building facade

Rex’s Snippets | Visiting the BMI? | Where are you?

Newspaper Reading Room | Victoria League Room (ground floor) Lending Library | Batten Room Stand in the entry to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and straight ahead is a long passage with five doors that could go anywhere. Open the double doors at the far end, you will find a room now called the Batten Room.

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BMI Notables | Contribution by Neil Leckie | Dr James Robert Pound, Benefactor

James Robert Pound was born to Mr James Henry and Mrs Selina Maude (nee Walton) Pound at their home Lyndon in Riversdale Road Auburn, Victoria on 22 April 1888. James studied Metallurgy at the School of Mines, Ballarat (SMB) where he was founder of the SMB Literary and Debating Society, and foundation member and Editor

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From the Curator | MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works

Did you enjoy an Old Gold, Freddo Frog or Cherry Ripe chocolate over Easter?  These much-loved chocolates were first manufactured by MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works. The company’s founder, MacPherson Robertson, was born in Ballarat in 1859. Robertson’s Scottish father and Irish mother were part of thousands of immigrants who flocked to Victoria during the Goldrush,

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From the Curator | Ballarat Railway Station

The Ballarat Railway Station! Ballarat West Railway Station was officially opened by Governor Sir Henry Barkly on the 11th April 1862, with four trains scheduled each way between Spencer Street Station (Southern Cross) and Ballarat per day.The initial route was vastly different to today, the train traveling from Melbourne to Geelong, then on to Ballarat

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From the Curator | Ballarat International Foto Biennale

This image was used as part of an exhibition of photographs from the Max Harris Collection on the theme of Rupture for the 2023 Ballarat International Foto Biennale. On New Year’s Eve in 1991, Ballarat experienced 76mm of rainfall which caused flooding across the city.  This photograph shows Lydiard Street North cut off from the city at

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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 | $40

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Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing