The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am – 12noon)
JUNE SESSION
Here are forty texts to read at some stage in your life- forty texts that can enrich you in all manner of ways. Some are recent, like Harry Potter; some ancient, like Homer and Lao Tzu. There are memoirs (Nelson Mandela), poetry (Les Murray) and many of the world’s great novels, from George Eliot’s Middlemarch to Toni Morrison’s Beloved. Our guide, in entertaining short essays about personal encounters with each of these works, is Michael McGirr- schoolteacher and former priest, reviewer of hundreds of novels and lifelong lover of literature.
His humour and insight shine through in stories that connect the texts he has selected with each other, and connect us to them. Never prescriptive, and often very funny, this book is an invitation to reflect on-and share with others-the extraordinary gift of reading. ‘It is a gift that is taking me a lifetime to unwrap,? McGirr writes. ‘The excitement has never worn off.?
About the Author
Michael McGirr is the bestselling author of Snooze- The Lost Art of Sleep, Things You Get for Free and Bypass. He has reviewed almost one thousand books for various newspapers; his short fiction has appeared in Australian and overseas publications; and he has been a publisher of Eureka Street and fiction editor at Meanjin.
Review a title
Why not review a book for the benefit of our members. We will publish these reviews in our social media and website from time to time.
This event is a BMI Community Art Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution
13- 16 May 2027 We’re excited to share the dates and proposed theme for the 2027 Ballarat Heritage Festival and invite you to start thinking about how you might be involved. The Festival will be held from 13 – 16 May 2027. Theme: Connection Connection explores the relationships that link us to people, place, stories, cultures, communities and shared
Wonderful news from Singapore | Ballarat-based Creative Director and composer Chee Wei Tay received major Singapore music honour. Chee Wei Tay is part of the BMI Events Team A proud moment on stage at the 20th Compass Awards Presentation 2026, where an award recipient Chee Wei Tay delivers his acceptance speech at the COMPASS Awards
Styled Sally Mackinnon Don’t miss Sally who will be talking about her new book at BMI on 29 September at 6pm Personal stylist Sally Mackinnon, known to her almost 400K (Instagram & Facebook) community, brings STYLED — a warm, practical and refreshingly realistic guide to building personal style with confidence, clarity and ease. Drawing on
Things With Teeth By Moonlight P.A. Swanborough Don’t miss Pam who will be in conversation with Rebecca Fletcher talking about Pam’s new book at BMI on 23 September at 6pm Things With Teeth by Moonlight is an illustrated multi-genre collection of flash, micro-fiction and short stories covering loss, revenge, affection, and spending too much time in
The Institute’s 2026 Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 28 September at 5pm | Humffray Room. All members of the Institute are invited to attend. Voting members are reminded that they can provide proxy attendance for the meeting (proxy forms are available below). Members are asked to RSVP to the meeting by Friday
Minerva’s Secrets Night Tours are back. Two tours, 7pm and 9pm. Step back in time with these atmospheric Victorian-era performers, lanterns in hand and ready to guide you through history. Their period costumes and old stone backdrop set the perfect scene for a ghostly walking tour.
Fundraiser for Ballarat RSL & BMI
$33 per person
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
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
Sunday 6 September at 2pm - Cost $65
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.
