Event Series The Reading Room

The Reading Room | Now rescheduled to 2 May

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

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 […]

Feeling Out Loud: Writing Poetry

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

A relaxed session of writing poetry as personal catharsis. Let your feelings flow onto the page with a series of writing prompts and the gift of time to write, with the option to share your poetic works out loud in a safe, facilitated space. Confirmation This FREE event is being run by Ballarat Libraries Get […]

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

Book Launch | Look Back on Languor: The memoir of a hurkle-durkle Australian male

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

Dr Frank Hurley OAM is well-known and highly respected in the Ballarat community, nowhere more so than in BMI circles has written a memoir titled Look Back on Languor: The memoir of a hurkle-durkle Australian male. The book will be launched at the BMI, in the Humffray Room, at 5.00 - 6.30 p.m. on Friday […]

Meet the Author | Olivia Wearne & Elizabeth Coleman

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

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. […]

$10

Event Series The Reading Room

The Reading Room

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

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 | In Conversation

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

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 […]

Meet the Author | Maya Linnell

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

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 […]

Meet the Author | A. J. Lyndon

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

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 […]

$10

Meet the Author | Justin Smith

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

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 […]

$10

In Conversation with Tania Farrelly

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

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 […]

$10
Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | $40

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.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing