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 […]
Image: The Sailor Dog, by Margaret Wise Brown, A Little Golden Book Classic | Oaky & Ginger Upcycled Exhibition of Works Prior to Market Day at the BMI Simone Reid will display a selection of her works in the library. Commission earned for works offered for sale during the exhibition will support Our Arts and Cultural […]
The comedian touted as Australia’s answer to Seinfeld is back with a brand new show for 2022 – and with most of us needing a good laugh after the events of the last two years, his tour will be just the ticket. After surviving the world’s longest lockdown in Melbourne, Joe is bursting with new […]
The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am - 12noon) 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 […]
Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it's easy to cover any marks […]
Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it's easy to cover any marks […]
The Ballarat Symphony presents classical music with a twist. A Toy Symphony with real toys. Beethoven letting the cat out of the bag. Mozart outdoing P.D.Q. Bach. And Haydn being more surprising than the Surprise Symphony. Music by famous composers…with something funny happening! Conductor: Hugh McKelvey Program: - Beethoven: Symphony No.1 - Leopold Mozart: Toy Symphony […]
Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff RoderickA workshop in painting basics.In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach.It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it's easy to cover any marks not needed or […]
Faye Heininger Faye started Lilli Pilli Beads (a paper bead jewellery and accessories company) after moving to Ballarat in September 2019. She has a background in art and started creating art in high school. She has a diploma of Interior Design, a Certificate III in Visual Art and has worked in marketing for almost 30 […]
Faye Heininger Faye started Lilli Pilli Beads (a paper bead jewellery and accessories company) after moving to Ballarat in September 2019. She has a background in art and started creating art in high school. She has a diploma of Interior Design, a Certificate III in Visual Art and has worked in marketing for almost 30 […]
Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many […]
Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many […]
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm.
Linen & Lace Exhbition
Includes Devonshire Tea | $20
Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar
Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
