The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am – 12noon)
AUGUST SESSION
The discussion in August will not be on a pre-determined book but will be a readers choice format, this month will be a favourite piece of poetry.
This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution
Happy New Year to all our members and other subscribers and recipients of our newsletter. We are off to a flying start with all services resuming in January. Congratulations to all who won a prize in the Christmas raffle and thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket or two! Our book sale continues
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,
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
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
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
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
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm.
Linen & Lace Exhbition
Includes Devonshire Tea | $20
Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
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 | $60
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.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
