Menu
Facebook-f Instagram
Twitter Youtube
Menu
Facebook-f Instagram Twitter Youtube
Menu

Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room

More information about the club
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.
More

BMI News

Cart
Checkout - $0.00
  • 0
  • 1

Raise a Glass for Brass. 

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm. 

Get Tickets
portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets
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 

 
Give Now >

 

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

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Purchase yours now
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
More information

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May. 

Find out More

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm. 

Find out More

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Find out More

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information
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. 

Get Tickets

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm. 

Get Tickets
portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

Find out More

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025. 

Find out More

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

More

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

More

 Coming in September…

Gabriel Bergmoser, Tracey Lee Holmes, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson.

Find out More

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm. 

Get Tickets

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing

find out more