In conversation with Fleur McDonald

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

Having sold over 700,000 copies of her books, Fleur has solidified her position as one of the country’s favourite storytellers. Australia’s leading rural literature author, Fleur’s books become best sellers almost as quickly as they hit the shelves. Her story lines are drawn from inspiration from having lived and worked for much of her life on […]

$10

Current Affairs Dialogue | Discussion Group | NOW POSTPONED

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

Last months Summary: Three members met at the BMI on Thursday 29 September at 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the scheduled CAD session. Several apologies received. Subject was the Ukraine situation. Another stimulating discussion. It covered the centuries-old background to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, rooted as it is in break-up of past empires, various peace […]

The Reading Room | NOW CANCELLED

The Reading Room | NOW CANCELLED

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

The Reading Room  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 […]

Meet the Author | Once Were Wild by Leslie Scott

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

About Once Were Wild: When local Clunes resident Leslie Scott discovers two brumbies living on the rugged Mount Beckworth, she almost can't believe it. Brumbies don't live in Central Victoria, and the terrain is not suited to them, so how did they get there? The horses are scared and unused to people, but the mountain […]

$10

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

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

8 February – The Red Planet & Ballarat’s Lady Astronomer | Graeme Hood & Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm Graeme Hood is an amateur Astronomer who first turned to the skies as a young boy in 1957 to observe the Sputnik spacecraft. He has maintained a lifelong interest […]

Free

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1 | More tickets released

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

A regional Commonwealth Games & creating great teams | Steve Moneghetti AM & Gerard FitzGerald Bar open in the Humffray Room from 5.00pm | Talk starts in the Minerva Room at 5.30pm Steve Moneghetti AM Steve Moneghetti AM Gerard FitzGerald Gerard FitzGerald Tickets/bookings. Free | We are pleased to advise that this series is being […]

Free
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

Day Tour of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Library Ground Floor Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]

$10.00

Meet the Author | Bill “Swampy” Marsh

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

About Bill Swampy Marsh: The Australian Outback can be harsh, but it's the kind of place where you either learn to laugh off your troubles or fold under the pressure. Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has a deep affection and respect for people living in the Australian Bush, and he's spent more than twenty years travelling to […]

$10

Day Tour of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Library Ground Floor Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]

$10.00

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