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The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 2.30pm – 4pm)

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

JANUARY SESSION

The Dictionary of Lost Words Pip Williams

In 1901, the word bondmaid was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it.

Motherless and irrepressibly curious, Esme spends her childhood in the Scriptorium, a garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of lexicographers are gathering words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary.

Esme’s place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day, she sees a slip containing the word bondmaid flutter to the floor unclaimed. Esme seizes the word and hides  it in an old wooden trunk that belongs to her friend, Lizzie,  a young servant in the big house. Esme begins to collect other words from the Scriptorium that are misplaced, discarded or have been neglected by the dictionary men. They help her make sense of the world.

Over time, Esme realises that some words are considered more important than others, and that words and meanings relating to women’s experiences often go unrecorded. She begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words.

Set when the women’s suffrage movement was at its height and the Great War loomed, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative,  hidden between the lines of a history written by men. It’s a delightful, lyrical and deeply thought-provoking celebration of words, and the power of language to shape our experience of the world…

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

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The White Crow Michael Robotham Over 5 million copies sold. She upholds the law – Her family breaks it. ‘A twisty-turny, second-guessing great read with a killer ending’ – Herald Sun for When you are Mind. Don’t miss Michael at the BMI on Wednesday 20 August at 6pm. Beloved character Police Constable Philomena McCarthy, from When You Are Mine, returns in a heart stopping thriller from the master of crime. As the daughter of a London crime boss, PC Philomena McCarthy

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

A Woman’s Voice Alli Sinclair A sweeping romantic adventure based on true events of the women’s liberation movement. She is defiant – She is strong – She will be heard Don’t miss Alli and author Chloe Adams on Wednesday 6 August at 6pm. When violin virtuoso Laura Hartley’s priceless instrument is stolen, her celebrated European career collapses — and with it, her rare gift of seeing music in colour. Fleeingto her grandmother’s home in the Australian outback, Laura discovers anextraordinary

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Melbourne International Film Festival | Ballarat Screenings

Returning in August for its 73rd edition, the Melbourne International Film Festival is once again hitting the road with the MIFF Regional showcase,bringing a curated selection of titles from its expansive 2025 program toscreens throughout regional Victoria across the festival weekends of 15–17 and 22–24 August.  From local titles to international standouts, the MIFF Regional program will featuresome of the most anticipated titles from the 2025 slate. Audiences will also havethe chance to meet the filmmakers behind some of this year’s

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Girl with the Suitcase Lesley Pearse When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth, she realizes their lives couldn’t be more different. Elizabth is beautiful and charming , about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Ireland where she’s inherited a grand house. Mary, shy and meek, has nothing to look forward to but the dreary life of a maid in Hampstead. But when an air raid forces them to take shelter undergroud, Mary’s life is suddenly changed

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

Royal South Street Society | BMI Community Partner I imagine everyone knows what RSSS stands for, but in case you don’t it’s Royal South Street Society and here at the BMI, we are all about RSSS for the months of July, August and into September . We are so pleased to welcome RSSS into the building as their competition season kicks off along with the brand new Schimmel grand piano that now “lives” in our building and will be able

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Raise a Glass for Brass

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

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2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

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Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.
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

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

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. 

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

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 September

Gabriel Bergmoser, Tracey Lee Holmes, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson.

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing