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

More about Ann

Jock Serong

More about the Jock

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

Live Comedy BMI | Black Friday Special

28/11/2025 No Comments

Our friends at A-List have given us the opportunity to promote this Black Friday special – why not take advantage, after-all: BMI is the home of Live Comedy NOW Daniel Muggleton added to this special 30% off tickets purchased from 10am tomorrow until 5pm Monday 1 December This is a great deal.  Get Tickets Live comedy – find out more

Read More »

Update from Liam Mudge, Venue Manager | Stage Ready

27/11/2025 No Comments

Stage Ready The BMI has received funding to launch Stage Ready — a new non-formal technical-theatre training program for regional creatives. The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (BMI) is pleased to announce it has secured $22,946 to deliver Stage Ready, a training program designed to support emerging production talent and strengthen regional creative capability. Launching in 2026, Stage Ready delivers practical, real-world experience in lighting, sound, stagecraft, and venue operations. The program is non-formal by design, helping participants develop entry-level technical skills through guided

Read More »

A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | December 2025

27/11/2025 No Comments

Hello everybody, it is hard to believe we are writing the December edition of the BMI newsletter, but while the year seems to have dashed by, a lot has been achieved at the BMI, for you the Members and for the wider community. Much of this activity has been internal, with Finance and HR audits almost complete led by the Finance Committee and the Board respectively, cyber security and IT upgrades generously led by volunteer Travis Charlton, website overview and

Read More »

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

24/11/2025 No Comments

It’s A Scorcher: Tales of the Australian Summer William McInnes Don’t miss Willima at the BMI on Tuesday 2 December at 6pm If there is a quintessence of Australia at its best William McInnes has diestilled it – The Age From one of Australia’s favourite storytellers There is something about long, hot summer days that stirs our emotions. It’s all about holidays, festivals, family and Christmas; a time for swimming, a hit of backyard cricket or firing up the barbie.

Read More »

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

17/11/2025 No Comments

The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop Peter FitzSimons AM Don’t miss Peter at the BMI on Thursday 20 November at 6.30pm The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon, prisoner-of-war, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma

Read More »