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. 
 
There will be no December meeting.
 
Expression of Interest to participate >

For more information go to

book cover
Past the Shallows | Favel Parrett

NOVEMBER SESSION

Past the Shallows | Favel Parrett

Brothers Joe, Harry and Miles live with their father, an abalone fisherman, on the south-east coast of Tasmania. Everyday their dad battles the unpredictable ocean to make a living. He is a hard man, a bitter drinker who harbours a devastating secret that is destroying him. 

Unlike Joe, Harry and Miles are too young to leave home and so are forced to live under the dark cloud of their father’s mood, trying to stay as invisible as possible whenever he is home. Harry, the youngest, is the most vulnerable and it seems he bears the brunt of his father’s anger…

January reading – More> 

This event is a BMI Community Art Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

13/11/2025 No Comments

An Ill Wind Margaret Hickey Don’t miss Margaret at the BMI on Tuesday 18 November at 6pm A Small Town Divided – Secrets Are Blown Apart Author of Cutters End and Stone Town High on a hill above the small fictional Victorian town of Carrabeen, 300 wind turbines constantly spin. All except for one, now deadly still with a limp body hanging from one of its huge white blades. Married Detective Sergeants Belinda Burney and Will Lovell are shocked to discover the dead man

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The Guardian | The Rural Newtork – I joined the oldest and most overlooked library in my town – and it feels like being part of a secret club – Dellaram Vreeland

03/11/2025 No Comments

The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute has had a reading room for 165 years but today it has just 530 members – and tens of thousands of book lovers are missing out. I love my local libraries. I adore the staff, the ambience, the facilities and the free wifi. As a freelancer, hot-desking without needing to pay a dime is my cup of tea. The local government-run library network in Ballarat is made up of three branches and provides a number of

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Rosemary’s Book of the Week

03/11/2025 No Comments

The Outlaw’s Daughter Anna Romer Notorious bushranger Henry Hawke has spent ten years in chains, but nothing could prepare him for the shackles of desire when he meets Solaine Granger. She’s everything he can never have-a lady, a mother, a woman who believes men like him deserve to hang. Young widow Solaine has been taught that men like Henry are monsers. But when her daughter is kidnapped and the law fails her, she’s forced to strike a devil’s bargain with

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Update: Stella Day Out Ballarat

28/10/2025 No Comments

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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Newsletter – digital versus interactive PDF

25/10/2025 No Comments

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

24/10/2025 No Comments

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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