• Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

    Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1 | Now moved to Minerva Space Level 3

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

    History; The Ballarat Club & Trades Hall | Dr Phil Roberts OAM & Jenny Beacham Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm Dr Phil Roberts OAM Educated in Melbourne, during 1967-2002 was a secondary humanities teacher and Principal. In 1971 he taught in London and in 1984 Denver. Author of 21 books, his […]

    Free
  • Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

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

    Making a difference to Ballarat’s homeless - Ballarat Future Shapers & Michael Poulton. Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm Ballarat Future Shapers Western Region leadership project and how they dreamed big to help the homeless and deliver the Sleepbus to Ballarat. Michael Poulton Michael is the current CEO of the Committee for Ballarat, a role […]

    Free
  • Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

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

    Your data and how to protect it - George Fong  & Dr Omaru Maruatona Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm George Fong Founder of Lateral Plains George Fong is the founder and Nerd Herder of Lateral Plains, one of the oldest IT companies in the region. He is Chair of the Committee […]

    Free
  • Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 2, Session 1

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

    Twilight Talks is back on again. We have a great line-up of talks: Music and Entertainment History Ailsa DuBois Ailsa chose Ballarat as her home over 18 years ago. She holds two Masters degrees: Journalism (UTS) and Writing & Literature (Deakin), among other qualifications. She is Vice-President of the community-based ‘Ballarat Arts Alive’. Steve Rattle, […]

    $8
  • Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 2, Session 2

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

    Twilight Talks is back on again. We have a great line-up of talks: Military History - How do we remember? Peter Dowling Local member of the Ballarat WAGS (Wireless Airgunners School). Motivated to find out more of his father’s and uncle’s experiences in WWII, Peter Dowling has been a member and now President of the […]

    $8.
  • Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 2, Session 4 | Ballarat Heritage Festival

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

    Twilight Talks is back on again to celebrate the Ballarat Heritage Festival. We have a great line-up of talks: Restoration of BMI Treasures  Featuring Grimwade Conservation Services representatives outlining the recent restoration of the Baron von Mueller plant specimen folios, restoration of valuable books and heritage painting. This project was supported by a Living Heritage Grant […]

    $20.
  • Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 2, Session 5 | Ballarat Heritage Festival

    Chinese Library, 200 Sturt Street

    Twilight Talks is back on again to celebrate the Ballarat Session 5: This session is now fully booked Wedneday 24 May | 5.30pm Ballarat Chinese Library | 200 Sturt Street Chinese History "Join us for a unique Twilight Talk when we take the BMI on the road, to the nearby Chinese Library. A more intimate […]

    $10
  • Twilight Talks 2024 | Season 1

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

    Wednesdays, Starting at 5.30pm (bar open at 5pm) | The full program, is coming soon...

    Free
  • Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 1 | At Play in the Fields of the past: Roleplaying, gaming and local heritage

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

    This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in […]

    $8 – $12
  • Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 2 | Not the Last Picture Show: The Lost City of Melbourne

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

    This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in […]

    $10 – $15
  • Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 3 | Not the Last Picture Show: Moving Pictures at the BMI

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

    This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in […]

    $8 – $12
  • Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 4 | THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED

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

    May 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm $8 – $12 THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings […]

    $8 – $12
Guides in period costume

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Night Tours

Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov

& Fri 12 Dec
 

Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm. 

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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.
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

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. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm

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 November

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

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.

 Coming soon

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

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing