The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am – 12noon)
APRIL SESSION
A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens
After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille, the ageing Doctor Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There the lives of two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil lanes of London, they are drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror, and they soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.
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This event is a BMI Community Art Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution
Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests for financial assistance from many organisations, as the month of June draws to a close thus representing the End of the Financial Year for most businesses and indeed Not for Profits. For the BMI, we are already 2 months into our financial year and not
For All The Dead Girls Sherryl Clark Don’t miss Sherryl who will be in conversation with local fellow author Tracey Rolf who will be talking about Sherryl’s new book at BMI on Wednesday 1 July at 6pm Tough and gutsy PI Lou Alcott returns with a terrifyingly gritty new case that takes her deep into
Events staged in conjunction with our Heritage Collection will be displayed here.
Where Truth Ends Mark Smith Don’t miss Mark who will be in conversation with local radio presenter Gavin McGrath talking about Mark’s new book at BMI on Tuesday 23 June at 6pm What if everything you believed in was a lie? Truth and betrayal collide in the new Mark Smith thriller, perfect for fans of
The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is custodian of the most intact surviving set of the Educational Collections of Victorian Plants (1874–1876). A herbarium and series of books compiled by the first Chief Botanist of the Colony of Victoria, Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller. Join BMI Heritage Curator, Ellen Becker as she reveals the history and significance of this
The Palace of Lost Virtue Anthea Hodgson Don’t miss Anthea who will be in conversation with local author AJ Lyndon talking about Anthea’s new book at BMI on Wednesday 17 June at 6pm At its core, The Palace of Lost Virtue is a story of female friendship and resilience. Marigold is a devout Christian working with her
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
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
