Life Drawing in the Basement

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Unleash you artistic potential on Sunday 21 May & Sunday 28 May, two sessions each day starting at 2pm & 7pm each day, duration two hours each session.Attention, all ye aspiring artists and lovers of the fine arts! A most exceptional life drawing session awaits thee in the depths of a heritage basement, reminiscent of […]

$40

Salon Sessions: Melba Opera Trust | This event has now been CANCELLED.

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image Courtesy: Melba Opera Trust An afternoon of song, arias and duets... The BMI in partnership with Melba Opera Trust. Come along and meet the 2023 these talented young artists, program coming soon... We will have a different program and artists on 9th July. Tom Nicholson - Baritone Tom holds a bachelor’s degree and a […]

$38.50

Digitisation Workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Digitisation workshop Capturing high-quality images of your catalogue records serve as a digital preservation copy of our collections while also allowing for increased public access and decreased physical handling. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to work one-on-one to learn the basics of museum photography such as camera settings and operations, lighting, and image […]

Meet the Author | Maya Linnell

BMI - Humffray Room 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Maya LinnellFrom country show baking to raising orphaned lambs, bestselling author Maya Linnell writesabout the life she lives and loves. A keen bookworm, former rural journalist and radio show host.Maya is also an ambassador for the digital library app Libby OverDrive. She lives in rural Victoriawith a menagerie of animals, sweeping gardens, three bookworms and […]

Meet the Author | A. J. Lyndon

Heritage Reading Room Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

A. J. Lyndon I have a long standing interest in history, particularly the English Civil Wars of the 17th century. In 2014 I started writing a novel about the “War Without an enemy” as it was described by an army commander in 1643. The Welsh Linnet was published in 2017. The sequel, The Tawny Sash, will be published […]

$10

Chamber Music in Ballarat | All Beethoven Duo Recital

BMI - Humffray Room 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Violinist Susan Pierotti and pianist Brian Chapman join forces to present a Duo-Recital comprising a rich and varied selection of works by Ludwig van Beethoven. The concert opens with a perennial favourite - the engagingly melodious "Spring" Sonata in F, Op.24, followed by the composer's final Violin Sonata - the serenely pastoral G major Sonata […]

$15 – $35

Card Making with Fay Marshall | Victorian Seniors Festival

Heritage Reading Room Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image: Happy Birthday | Fay's CreationsA workshop in Cardmaking.In this workshop you will use your creativity and style to produce amazing greeting cards that speak to your friends, family and colleagues with personality and heart.You will learn:How to use paint to make your own original backgrounds.How to use stencils, a medium and paint to make interesting raised […]

$15

Dried floral arrangement with Fay Marshall | Victorian Seniors Festival

Heritage Reading Room Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image:Credit Maria Orlova A workshop in Dried Floral Arrangement. In this workshop you will use your creativity and style to make beautiful dried floral arrangements and posies. You will learn: How to use colouring to enhance your dried arrangements. How to incorporate loved items and fabric. About the types of fixings that work well. All […]

$15

All Schubert Chamber Recital | Susan Pierotti, Zoe Knighton & Brian Chapman

BMI - Humffray Room 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Violinist Susan Pierotti and pianist Brian Chapman join forces to present a Duo-Recital comprising a rich and varied selection of works by Ludwig van Beethoven. The concert opens with a perennial favourite - the engagingly melodious "Spring" Sonata in F, Op.24, followed by the composer's final Violin Sonata - the serenely pastoral G major Sonata […]

$15 – $35

Exhibition | Not the Last Picture Show

Hugh Williamson Foyer, Level 1

May 17 @ 10:30 am - May 30 @ 4:00 pm Free MH 94 Coliseum Grenville Street, Ballarat Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings of this new technology of ‘moving pictures’ were held at the Mechanics’ Institute. By the 1970’s, cinema’s death was being heralded after […]

Free

Exhibition | Not the Last Picture Show: From the Archives

Heritage Reading Room Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

May 17 @ 10:30 am - May 30 @ 4:00 pm Free – $5 This event is part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn […]

Free – $5

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | $40

Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing