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Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room

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The chess table in the photo (which is part of a collage of portraits of old BMI members) is possibly one of those still in use in the BMI Library on the ground floor. The date of the picture, at a rough guess, is believed to be between 1866 and 1875. C.J. Harvey (shown on the picture), J.Tatham (on the collage) and W.D. Battan (secretary of the BMI, on the collage and who presented the collage to the BMI in 1910) were active chess-players in 1866-67. They played, amongst others, in the infamous Smythesdale handicap-chess tournament, which lasted 8 months, and ended in controversy.
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with Kylie Ladd

 Wed 25 June at 6pm. 

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Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm. 

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electronic noticeboard calendar HALF PRICE
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

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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
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Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May. 

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Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

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with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm. 

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Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
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portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

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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. 

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portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

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Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm. 

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BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing

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