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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. 

Bookings are essential. Contact the Ballarat Library on 5338 6850.
The Tilt | Chris Hammer

More about Chris

More about the Lyn

This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

No Place Quite Like It: The Family History of Walter Withers and Fanny Flinn David Rathgen – Eltham District Historical Society. Until now there has been no family history of Walter Withers (1854-1914), a notable but underestimated Australian landscape artist of the Heidelberg school. For nearly 200 years his Birmingham ancestors had worked as tailors,

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Vanish Shelley Burr. People go to the isolated Karpathy farm looking for a new life… and are never seen again. A chilling thriller from the award-winning and bestselling author of Australian noir, Shelley Burr. Lane Holland’s crime-solving career ended the day he went to prison. With his parole hearing approaching, he faces the grim reality that

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Ballarat Marathon | Limited access to the BMI

We’re excited that Ballarat Marathon will be underway soon. We hope everyone has the opportunity to take to the city to participate and watch the events. There will be limited access to the BMI during the course of the event on both Saturday 26 April & Sunday 27 April Library visitors on Saturday morning will

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Reunion Bronwyn Rivers. Ten years ago, six teenagers hiked into the Blue Mountains wilderness – and only five came out alive.The survivors have barely seen each other since the tragic bushwalk. Yet when an invitation arrives to attend a 10-year memorial of their friend’s death, Hugh, Charlotte, Alex,Laura and Jack find themselves travelling back

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Ballarat Historical Society | Nathan Spielvogel Oration, Dr Frank Golding

Exploring Difficult History | Dr Frank Golding Wednesday 21 May, 7pm, Theatre, Barkly Square, 25 Barkly Street, Ballarat East As part of Heritage Month, on Wednesday May 21st the Ballarat Historical Society is hosting the Nathan Spielvogel Oration with author, researcher and historian Dr Frank Golding as guest speaker. Frank will discuss the experience of women and children

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with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

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. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

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 | Now $20

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 

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.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing