Loading Events

Image: Image: Brian Purnell, Michael Gudinski, Courtesy of Mushroom Creative House

Number One | Gudinski 

(currently open Thursday to Sunday | updated 13/10/21) 

This element of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will be held in the Basement of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.

We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event.

About this installation

In celebration of Michael Gudinski’s legacy, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale in partnership with Mushroom Group presents an exhibition of music photography. Through an Open Call, music photographers were given the opportunity to submit photographs featuring artists under the Mushroom Group and Frontier Touring banner. Number One | Gudinski is an ode to Michael Gudinski, whose passion for music was legendary. This exhibition celebrates his advocacy for the arts and lasting impact.

Often referred to by those in the know as the Godfather of Aussie music, Michael Gudinski is widely recognised as the most powerful and influential figure in the Australian music industry. As Chairman of Mushroom Group – the largest independent music and entertainment company in Australia and New Zealand, home to Frontier Touring, Chugg Entertainment, eight record labels and over two dozen other specialist divisions – Gudinski’s clout was undeniable. The exhibition features photographs of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Vance Joy, Courtney Barnett, Troye Sivan and many more.

About the Foto Beinnale

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale was founded in 2005 and attracts significant international and Australian photographers as one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographic festivals. It is a not-for-profit event that immerses the historic town of Ballarat in photographic art.

Now in its 16th year, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale has enriched the cultural landscape of regional Victoria, becoming the most significant, prestigious photographic arts festival in Australia. Held every two years we showcase work from domestic and international artists that is new, previously unseen in Australia or contextualised afresh; and in our Open Program we foster the development of emerging artists. Alongside there are public programs and education programs comprising talks, workshops and prizes which round out a rich and diverse cultural event that attracts more than 30,000 people, delivering significant economic and cultural impact.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is guided by the principle that it not only serves the community but also plays a vital role in cultivating it.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale has attracted more than 200,000 visitors to Ballarat and was honoured in 2018 at the Federation Business School and Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards as the winner of the Visit Ballarat Events and Attractions Business Award. Its Founding Director, Jeff Moorfoot OAM received an Order of Australia Medal for services to photography.

We are Australia’s leading photographic festival. We’ve done this by consistently finding new ways to engage audiences with photography, responding to our audience’s needs, their changing vision of art and culture, and the role it plays in shaping Ballarat. We recognise and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people as the First Australians. Through photography, we see our world reflected back in unexpected ways through the eyes of others: artists, community and new perspectives.

2026 BMI Appeal | Give now

A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute in 2026 Dear Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute supporter, In the early days of the gold rush, Ballarat was a place of extraordinary ambition. Among the diggers and merchants who built the town was a group of citizens who believed that knowledge mattered just as much as gold. In 1859 they established the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, creating a place where miners, tradespeople and families could read newspapers, borrow books, attend lectures and debate the

Read More »

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI on Tuesday 21 April at 6pm A body on the beach. An inheritance. A family pulled apart.  CC Cilento’s best memories are of spending every summer holiday running wild in and out of the Friend family beach house with her cousins, James, Ollie, Felix and Lily. It’s the next best thing to having brothers and sisters. They’ve continued the summer tradition into adulthood, getting together at the shack with its

Read More »

Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb

Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb, Ballarat Times When theatre-maker Gin  O’Brien found a script for a play about dogs she knew straight away she must stage it. As a result, Ballarat  National Theatre is now getting ready to present the local premiere of The Dog Logs, a play written by C.J. Johnson and directed by O’Brien in her directorial debut. “I love dogs,” said O’Brien  who is vice president of BNT and known for prior

Read More »
2026 twilight talks logo with gold and black text

Twilight Talks 2026 | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb

BMI’s Twilight Talks Return by Evie Lamb, Ballarat Times The Twilight Talks series is back at the the Ballaarat  Mechanics’ Institute this month with more tales from Henry Lawson’s 1887 exploration of local  Eureka Rebellion sites. Taking place on Wednesday 15 April, the first talk will feature guest presenter Hedley Thomson who last year provided a very well-received talk about Lawson’s 1887 visit to Ballarat. For this month’s first cab off the rank, Thomson will  further explore the iconic Australian

Read More »

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin SDB with Gerardine Christou Don’t miss Gerardine at the BMI on Tuesday 14 April at 6pm This is the story of Peg, an ordinary woman who was ‘made of extraordinary stuff’ Margaret (Peg) Rankin is remembered by all who knew and loved her as a woman of kindness with a ready smile. Her long life brought her much joy, love and happiness. She was the devoted mother of twelve children

Read More »
Young person wearing blue cap reading book outdoors

Executive Manager Update – April 2026

Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI, I have been struck by the genuine passion, knowledge, and commitment that each staff member and volunteer brings to this organization.  It is this collective capability that ensures we are not only recognized for our remarkable building, but are continuing to evolve as a vibrant and relevant hub for our members and guests in 2026 and beyond. Given that many of the staff are part-time and/or volunteers, paths do not

Read More »