Ballarat Libraries in partnership with BMI

Meet Ann Cleeves
Meet Ann Cleeves on her 2022 Australian tour as she discusses Vera Stanhope’sreturn in her newest book, The Rising Tide.
Ann Cleeves is the creator of popular detictives Vera Stanhome (ITV’s Vera), Jimmy Perez (BBC One’s Shetland), and Matthew Venn IITV’s The Long Call).
 
Bookings are essential. Contact the Ballarat Library on 5338 6850.
Ann Cleeves

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Jock Serong

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

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

26/01/2026 No Comments

The Piano Woman Rozzi Bazzani Reeling from the breakup of her ‘forever’ romance, writer Maddison Brown is trying to rebuild her life and get her successful career back on track. But when a letter arrives from an English lawyer telling her that she is to inherit a piano from a great grandmother she didn’t know exhisted, everything she’d ever believed about her life is turned upside down. Travelling to Kent to explore this unknown connection Maddison is forced to use all her

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ABC Radio interview with BMI Heritage Collection Curator Ellen Becker

21/01/2026 No Comments

From the Heritage Collection Curator – Interview with ABC Radio Sydney | Nightlife – Tuesday 23 Dec 2025 at 10pm The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, or BMI, is celebrating 165 years since its reading room first opened in December 1860. It’s the oldest surviving cultural institution in Ballarat and has an incredible story. From hosting Mark Twain, screening some of Australia’s earliest films, to inspiring inventors like Henry Sutton. Joining Nic Healey on Nightlife to share the rich history of this

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Jerry Wong Piano recital | Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

20/01/2026 No Comments

Jerry Wong Concert review by Bronislaw Sozanski… As part of the Ballarat Organs and Fine Music Festival this January, Jerry Wong delivered an outstanding recital, performing on the historic 1913 Bechstein piano at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute. The natural contrasts of dark and light in the human experience formed the basis of the program, supported by an instrument from a time when pianos displayed greater variety of timbre across their range. The Godowsky transcription of JS Bach’s Andante from the

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Feel the Spirits Tours

20/01/2026 No Comments

Feel the Spirits Tours BMI Patron Phil Roberts Last April, when introducing the three Twilight Talk speakers, I mentioned that Geraldine and I are members of the Feel the Spirits family, having toured in 2016 with Garry Snowden, his wife Marion and their Belgian friend Rene Degryse, a passionate battlefield guide. Geraldine & Phil Roberts on Tour These tours began in 2012, and the planned August 2026 tour will be their final one. There are still a few seats on

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

19/01/2026 No Comments

The Other Child Susi Fox Don’t miss Susi & Geoff Parkes at the BMI on Wednesday 28 January at 6pm From the author of bestselling psychological thriller Mine. Reserve > The Other Child | Susi Fox Library Membership > Coming soon… find out more Get Tickets y: Our library stands on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always

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Ballart Pride Month 2026

13/01/2026 No Comments

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 Pride Program coming soon BMI Events 0 events found. Notice There were no results found. Notice There were no results found. Today Upcoming Upcoming Select

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