Ballarat Libraries in partnership with BMI | Now cancelled due to travel restrictions caused by recent devastating floods
Join bestselling crime writer Chris Hammer in conversation with 2022 Indie Book Award winner for debut fiction Lyn Yeowart. Hammer, the multi-award-winning author of Scrublands will be discussing his highly anticipated novel The Tilt.
A must attend event for lovers of gripping, homegrown Australian crime writing.
Yeowart’s debut novel (The Silent Listener) and Hammer’s latest work explore protagonists returning home and delve into gritty stories set in the heart of small-town Australia.
Got a question for Chris? There will be a 15-minute Q&A at the end of the session.
This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution
Sunday 1 June – Monday 30 June 2026 Pride Month (June) is the month where we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual people. We take the time to acknowledge their contributions to the world, we commemorate those we have lost and we celebrate the vibrant world of queer folks everywhere. Full Ballarat
The First Law of the Bush Geoff Parkes Don’t miss Goeff & Susi Fox at the BMI on Wednesday 28 January at 6pm From the author of When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole Reserve > The First Law of the Bush | Geoff Parkes Library Membership > Coming soon… find out more Get Tickets
1 – 10 May 2026 Ballarat is set to launch a bold new chapter in its creative journey with the inaugural Ballarat Craft and Design Week, taking place 1-10 May 2026 at the historic Mining Exchange. Building on the success of the much-loved Craft Lab program, this new event responds to the growing needs of
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.
25 & 26 April 2026
The House of Doors Tan Twan Eng Willie Somerset Maugham is one of the greatest writers of the early twentieth century. But in 1921 he is beleaguered by an unhappy marriage, ill-health and business interests that have gone badly awry. He is also struggling to write. His friend Robert Hamlyn offers an escape in the
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
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar
Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
