The Woman Who Knew Too Little by Olivia Wearne A Routine Infidelity by Elizabeth Coleman THE similarities keep coming for two local authors who discovered they recently published their latest works a couple of days apart from each other. Now Elizabeth Coleman and Olivia Wearne have become fast friends following the release of their second novels. […]
The Reading Room This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly, the last Monday of the month, in the Heritage Reading Room (subject to availability) . Members will select books to be discussed which will include fiction, non-fiction, poetry and short stories. If you would like to be a part of this group (free […]
Jock Serong We’re excited to be bringing acclaimed author Jock Serong back to Ballarat after his success facilitating our much loved Ann Cleeves event last year. Jock will be In Conversation with debut author, Lyn Yeowart. Don’t miss this chance to see this engaging speaker live. Lyn Yeowart | Credit LJM Photography The Settlement | Jock […]
Maya LinnellFrom country show baking to raising orphaned lambs, bestselling author Maya Linnell writesabout the life she lives and loves. A keen bookworm, former rural journalist and radio show host.Maya is also an ambassador for the digital library app Libby OverDrive. She lives in rural Victoriawith a menagerie of animals, sweeping gardens, three bookworms and […]
A. J. Lyndon I have a long standing interest in history, particularly the English Civil Wars of the 17th century. In 2014 I started writing a novel about the “War Without an enemy” as it was described by an army commander in 1643. The Welsh Linnet was published in 2017. The sequel, The Tawny Sash, will be published […]
From the acclaimed author of Cooper Not Out comes an adventurous retelling of the first Melbourne Cup. Set in 1861 Victoria, Good as Gold is a cracking Australian-Western that reflects our colourful history — both the good and the bad. Critically acclaimed Cooper Not Out, described by The Herald Sun and The Daily Telegraph as a ‘five star’ read […]
Tania is an award-winning advertising strategist who has spent over twenty-five years working in Australia’s leading advertising agencies, telling stories for the world’s biggest brands. She has more recently built her own successful, brand consultancy iSPY. She has turned her hand from brand stories to human stories with the help of creative writing courses at […]
‘Funny, warm, and real…. Cements Clare Fletcher’s position as queen of the Aussie country town romance. Long may she reign!’– Hayley ScrivenorThe highly anticipated spin-off from Five Bush Weddings will have readers falling in love with footy, fashion and fabulous 1960s flashbacks.Clare Fletcher’s latest instalment from the fictional – and all too familiar - regional […]
Image: above Clem Onojeghuo Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 October, 10am - 2pm This event is an important fundraiser for the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute. Venue: Library, Ground Floor Book Donations In the lead-up to the Book Sale we are happy to take book donations to assist in raising badly needed funds. We can take delivery […]
What if staying with the man you love meant leaving everything behind? There is little joy for Eliza, the well-educated wife of a dissolute cavalry officer, living in the colony of New South Wales in the early 1830s. Charmed by the attentions of a handsome stockman, the tempestuous ex-convict, Martin Cash, she flees her loveless […]
An isolated, empty ski resort in the off-season. A woman who doesn't want to be found. A man who may not be who he appears to be. A game of cat and mouse - with deadly consequences. On the run from a controlling husband and his underworld associates in Melbourne, Charlotte has adopted a new […]
Image: above Clem Onojeghuo Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December, 10am - 2pm This event is an important fundraiser for the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute. Venue: Library, Ground Floor Book Donations In the lead-up to the Book Sale we are happy to take book donations to assist in raising funds for this grand old beauty. We […]
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm.
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.
Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20
Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
Linen & Lace Exhbition
Includes Devonshire Tea | $20
Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
