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The Reading Room (This session will start at 1030am until the resumption of normal operating hours)

This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance.
If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete the Expression of Interest. We welcome your feedback through this form as we progress this great new initiative. 
 
Expression of Interest to participate >

For more information go to

The House by the Lake | Thomas Harding

FEBRUARY SESSION

The House by the Lake | Thomas Harding

In the summer of 1993, Thomas Harding travelled to Berlin with his grandmother to visit a small house by a lake. It was her ‘soul place’ she said – a sanctuary she had been forced to leave when the Nazis swept to power. The trip was a chance to see the house one last time, to remember it as it was. But the house had changed.

Twenty years later Thomas returned to Berlin. The house now stood empty, derelict, and soon to be demolished. A concrete footpath cut through the garden, marking where the Berlin Wall had stood for nearly three decades. Elsewhere were signs of what the house had once been – blue tiles showing behind wallpaper, phographs fallen between floorboards, flagstones covered in dirt. Evidence of five families who had made the house their home over a tumultuous century.

The House by the Lake is a groundbreaking work of history, revealing the story of Germany through the inhabitants of one small wooden building: a nobleman farmer, a prosperous Jewish family, a renowned Nazi composer, a widow and her children, a Stasi informant. Moving from the late nineteenth century to the present day, from the devastation of two world wars to the dividing and reuniting of a nation, it is a story of domestic joy and contentment, of terrible grief and tragedy, and of a hatred handed down through the generations. Breathtaking in scope, intimate in detail, it is the long-awaited new history from the author of the bestselling Hanns and Rudolf.

Review this title

Why not review this 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

Update: Stella Day Out Ballarat

Stella Day Out Ballarat Direct from a sold out seasons in Melbourne, Byron Bay, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. Limited tickets still available | FREE booking. Don’t miss this opportunity to join BMI and Stellafor these two free talks. Get Tickets Find out more about these authors More about The Stella Prize

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Lucky Sisters Rachael Johns Don’t miss Rachael at the BMI on Tuesday 6 November at 6.30pm The breakout blockbuster of the year – a deeply moving novel about life, death and the miracles in between, by the award-winning author of The Patterson Girls. Will their luck run out? What would you do if you thought each day on earth might just be your last? Lucky by name. Not so lucky by nature. Adopted twins Nora and Stevie Lucky have always

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Newsletter – digital versus interactive PDF

How would you like to receive your newsletter – digital version or – interactive PDF version Digital Version Click here Interactive PDF dOWNLOAD HERE Newsletter style Digital version Interactive PDF I don’t mind, either I am a BMI member Yes No Email(Required)

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Newsletter – November 2025

A Message from the Chair… | Rosemary’s New Releases and Recommendations | Twilight Talks – Author Talks – Live Comedy – Night Tours – Live Theatre

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A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | November 2025

The Governor was especially pleased to have a tour with myself and Ellen. I’d like to thank Katrina Hill for her involvement in the tour. Her Excellency was then thrilled to join staff and Collection and Library volunteers for a morning tea prepared by Malcolm Roberts. She enjoyed a chat with the small group where she had many questions about the Heritage Building, the collections and the current operations. We would like to thank Ethan Laurie and Jonathon Bourke from

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Ballarat Begonia Festival

7 to 9 March 2026 Festival Highlights Begonia Parade | Conservatory display | Family entertainment | Markets | Food and drink. Events at the BMI during the Fesitval will be listed here as they are confirmed Your ideas Why not let us know what Festivals & Events you think the BMI should participate in. The BMI wishes to participate in Festivals and Events that involve and support the local community. If you have an idea for a program or event

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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. 

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Spring Season, History Talks:

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

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

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. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

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

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

 Coming in November

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

Raise a Glass for Brass

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm

 Coming soon

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

 Coming soon

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

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing