The Reading Room | November

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

Gather – Podcast Party

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

Enjoy a feast of local creative talent with music from Shadow Feet, FLOC and deborahN; poetry from Sarah Hart and Sean M Whelan; film from Ramas McRae and a special premiere screening of ‘Intimacy in Isolation’ a pandemic collaboration from Bronwyn Blaiklock, Erin M McCuskey and Lily Paskas. We will also launch Gather Threads – one-off clothing […]

$15

The Reading Room | January

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

The Ballarat Imaginarium – Opening Event

The Ballarat Imaginarium 119A Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Please join local artist Melinda Muscat as she embarks on her latest project, designed to promote the imaginings of local makers, writers and musicians - The Ballarat Imaginarium. (119A Sturt Street Ballarat) - Drinks served in the Library. Catering provided. Drinks at bar prices. RSVP Essential: To keep us all safe, this event has been […]

The Reading Room | February

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

Exhibition of Works | Oaky and Ginger Upcycled

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

Joe Avati | 25 Live – Have Some Respect Tour

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

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 […]

$49.50

The Reading Room | April

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 8 June 22 | Now fully booked

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

$33.00

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 15 June 22 | Now fully booked

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

$33.00

Toying With The Classics – Ballarat Symphony Orchestra

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

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 […]

$10 – $30

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 29 June 22 | Now fully booked

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

$33.00

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

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. 

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 

 
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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.
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. 

Spring Season, History Talks:

Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm. 

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

 Coming soon

Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns

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, Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae.

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm. 

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm. 

Raise a Glass for Brass. 

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm. 

 Coming soon

Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing