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
21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, a THEATRE 180 production Held at BMI 10 & 11 July 2026 Many thanks to the BMI Crew & Audience We are constantly moved and overwhelmed by the connection of these brave nurses to people all over Australia and the keen interest by patrons
Women of the Well 170 Sturt Street – pop in to say hello to Mary & Mary No strangers to the BMI as they supported our Design Markets here in the Minerva Space. We wish them well in their new enterprise. Their shop at 170 Sturt Street certainly enhances our little shopping strip. Open Monday
Lest Angels Weep Phillipa Nefri Clark Don’t miss Phillipa who will be in conversation with Kate Atkinson talking about Phillipa’s new book at BMI on 29 July at 6pm The new case is cold. Stone cold. Until another murder with striking similarities rocks a remote outback town. Detective Liz Moorland is desperate to get out
19 June – 22 June | As events are confirmed they will be listed HERE.
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
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.
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
Pre-Sale $60 from 6 Aug to 9 Aug - $65 thereafter
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
