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

A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026

24/06/2026 No Comments

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 only diligently monitoring our performance but actively working to increase the philanthropic and fundraising outcomes on which we depend for sustainability. These areas are Board

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Theatre 180 newsletter for 21 Hearts play July 2026

Newsletter – July 2026

24/06/2026 No Comments

Rosemary’s New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks – Live Music – Film – LIve Theatre – Message from the Chair – fundraisers Digital version coming soon…

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Sherryl Clark's For All The Dead Girls book cover promotional image

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | For All The Dead Girls by Sherryl Clark

22/06/2026 No Comments

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 the dark web. While juggling a missing person case with unexpected ties close to home and saving an innocent woman and her child from a

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Where Truth Ends by Mark Smith, BMI Library Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | Where Truth Ends by Mark Smith

15/06/2026 No Comments

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 Christian White and Lisa Jewell. Meg Maher thought she was doing the right thing. Now she’s on the run. When a peaceful climate protest ends

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Pressed dried flowering plant specimen with roots on paper

From the Curator | Arresting the Ephemeral

09/06/2026 No Comments

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 remarkable collection, including a rare close viewing of select botanical specimens and books. Find out more Get Tickets Tickets can also be purchased from the BMI Library

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