• Ballarat International Foto Biennale | Number One | Gudinski

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

    Image: Image: Brian Purnell, Michael Gudinski, Courtesy of Mushroom Creative House Number One | Gudinski  (currently open Thursday to Sunday | updated 13/10/21) This element of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will be held in the Basement of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute. We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event. About this […]

  • 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 […]

  • 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 […]

  • Ballarat Anzacs | Display | Talks | Research

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

    BALLARAT ANZACS | Display At the outbreak of the war in August 1914 Ballarat men were quick to enlist. While most consider the Gallipoli landing on April 25th 1915 to be Australia’s first action of the war, Ballarat’s first casualty occurred on September 14th 1914 with the loss of the submarine AE 1 off the […]

  • BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | A Talk with Garry Snowden

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

    BALLARAT ANZACS | Talks Garry Snowden, President, Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour will facilitate a talk on each Thursday of the display: Thursday 7 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | Garry Snowden Thursday 14 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | Yvon Davis Thursday 21 […]

  • BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | A Talk with Yvon Davis

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

    BALLARAT ANZACS | Talks Garry Snowden, President, Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour will facilitate a talk on each Thursday of the display: Thursday 7 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | Garry Snowden Thursday 14 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | Yvon Davis Thursday 21 […]

  • BALLARAT ANZACS: The Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour | A Talk with Phil Roberts

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

    BALLARAT ANZACS | Talks Garry Snowden, President, Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour will facilitate a talk on each Thursday of the display: Thursday 7 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | Garry Snowden Thursday 14 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | Yvon Davis Thursday 21 […]

  • BALLART ANZACS: How Ballarat Remembers it’s ANZACS | A Talk with Garry Snowden

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

    BALLARAT ANZACS | Talks Garry Snowden, President, Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour will facilitate a talk on each Thursday of the display: Thursday 7 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | Garry Snowden Thursday 14 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | Yvon Davis Thursday 21 […]

  • Exhibition of works Lillipilli Beads, Faye Heininger

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

    Image: Lillipilli Beads, courtesy Faye Heininger Exhibition of Works Prior to Faye's workshop on 20 July she will have a selection of her work on display in the Library. If you would like more information on Faye's work or attend her workshop go to our events page prior to 20 July or pop into the library […]

  • Exhibition of works | A TUK – Nyibol Deng

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

    Image: Nyibol Deng Exhibition of Works Prior to the BMI Maker Market & Book Sale Nyibol will have an exhibition of works on display in the Library. You will be able to get a preview of the product she will have for purchase on market-day. You will be able to purchase these works and all commission […]

  • Digitisation Workshop | AMaGa | Geraldine Brault

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

    Digitisation workshop Capturing high-quality images of your catalogue records serve as a digital preservation copy of our collections while also allowing for increased public access and decreased physical handling. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to work one-on-one to learn the basics of museum photography such as camera settings and operations, lighting, and image […]

  • The Heritage Collection | Special Program

    Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

    An introduction to the history of the BMI Heritage listed collection, its origins, preservation and future, including an examination of some of the most valuable collection items.  The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute  (BMI) Collection is of historical significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, […]

    $15.00
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