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Sit down with us as we read the paper that continues to tell the story of Ballarat. The BMI houses hard copies of this local icon dating back to its inception; what might you discover as you turn the pages of history?

Cost: $15 BMI members | $25 Regular fee

Book here

View the full list of Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

Ballarat Heritage Festival | BMI
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Guides in period costume

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Night Tours

Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov

& Fri 12 Dec
 

Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm. 

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Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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electronic noticeboard calendar HALF PRICE
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Purchase yours now
Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

BMI Fundraiser tickets here
Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May. 

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Spring Season, History Talks:

Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm. 

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Get Tickets

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

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Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information
portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

Get Tickets
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. 

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portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

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with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm. 

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Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm. 

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Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025. 

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Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

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Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

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 Coming in November…

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

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with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm. 

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Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm. 

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Raise a Glass for Brass. 

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm. 

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 Coming soon…

Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.

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 Coming soon…

Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns

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Get Tickets

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

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Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm. 

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Get Tickets

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing

find out more