18/11/2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets An Ill Wind Margaret Hickey A Small Town Divided - Secrets Are Blown Apart Author of Cutters End and Stone Town High on a hill above the small fictional Victorian town of Carrabeen, 300 wind turbines constantly spin. All except for one, now deadly still with a limp body hanging from one…
19/11/2025 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm $9.73 – $13.83 Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Her Majesty's Renovation This talk will examine the recent renovation of Her Majesty's Theatre and explore the challenges, rewards and outcomes for the community that accompany transformational change to a treasured Heritage Building in the heart of the City of Ballarat. Speaker: Richard Nicholson…
22/11/2025 @ 10:00 am - 23/11/2025 @ 4:00 pm $27.50 Get Tickets November 22 @ 10:00 am - November 23 @ 4:00 pm $27.50 plus bkg. fee Errard Hall, 5 Errard Street North, Ballarat Central Take part in this important BMI fundraiser Open Garden and Devonshire Tea at Errard Hall - BMI Fundriaser Errard Hall was built in 1902. Built in the grand Victorian style,…
26/11/2025 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm $9.73 – $13.83 Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Ballarat Arts Foundation: 25 Years Old The Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF) has been supporting the emerging artists of Ballarat for 25 years. The Foundation is completely community funded and supports artists from any genre, with an alumni group numbering over 500 artists who have…
06/12/2025 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Free Lending Library Don’t miss our book sale this weekend.Admission and parking are free (one hour on Saturday, all day Sunday). There are hundreds of books – some of which are in gently used condition and some in mint condition – and many start at $5. And it’s not just books – there are DVDs, photo…
07/12/2025 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Free Minerva Space Come along and experience our Christmas Market & Book Sale just in time for the Festive SeasonFREE ENTRY Our Stallholders Book SaleWe will also be hosting a book sale in the Library on Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December. These books have been donated to the BMI by members and the Ballarat community…
January 10 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm $59 – $129 Humffray Room Get Tickets DIY Workshop | Turkish Mosaic Lamp Bring colour, light, and creativity together in this hands-on Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop hosted by ArtIstanbul, right in the heart of Ballarat.Guided by our friendly instructors, you’ll design and build your very own mosaic lamp using pre-cut glass and low-fume adhesive – no cutting or…
August 26 @ 6:45 pm - 10:30 pm $20 – $25 Get Tickets Take part in this important BMI fundraiser Put your local knowledge to the test at a fun and engaging Trivia Night at the historic Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute! Gather your friends and join us for an evening of fascinating questions about Ballarat's rich history and the remarkable story of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute -…
September 5 @ 10:00 am - September 6 @ 2:00 pm Free Books priced from $5 - more for collectable items. Discover your next great read at The BMI Library Book Sale! Browse an incredible selection of titles at unbeatable prices. Don't miss our book sale this weekend. Admission and parking are free (one hour on Saturday, all day Sunday). There are hundreds of books - some…
September 6 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm $60 – $65 Get Tickets Take part in this important BMI fundraiser The BMI vintage & Pre-loved Shop are showcasing their wares Make time for a lovely get together. A glass of champagne on entry with music accompaniment: Fashion Parade Once again our beautiful models will be displaying outfits from the Vintage shop, we hope you can join…
October 10 @ 2:15 pm - 4:15 pm $33.00 Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute Doors open 1.45pm | 2.15pm show-time Get Tickets Royal Australian Navy 125th Anniversary Concert Fundraising event for Ballarat RSL and Ballarat Mechanics' Institute The Royal Australian Navy Band at HMAS Cerberus. Victoria Royal Australian Navy Wind Band The RAN Wind Band performs a wide variety of musical styles from traditional military marches…
December 12 @ 10:00 am - December 13 @ 2:00 pm Free Books priced from $5 - more for collectable items. The perfect gift for every bookworm! The BMI Library's Book Sale is your chance to find a wonderful read at a great price. Don't miss our book sale this weekend.Admission and parking are free (one hour on Saturday, all day Sunday). There are hundreds of books…
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
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
Pre-Sale $60 from 6 Aug to 9 Aug - $65 thereafter
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
