Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 2, Session 5 | Ballarat Heritage Festival
2023-05-24 17:30 - 19:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Chinese Library, 200 Sturt Street
The BMI has recently worked with Grimwade Conservation Services to perform urgently required conservation work on a number of significant items from the Heritage Victoria registered collection. This work was carried out as part of a Victorian Government Living Heritage Grant awarded in 2021, with work completed in December 2022. These items include original volumes of Australian plant specimen books compiled by Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, and associated books written by von Mueller, an original artwork known to have belonged to the BMI from the early days of the Institute and various other valuable books needing cleaning and restoration work. The primary exhibition will showcase these remarkable items within the Heritage listed building that is the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute. The proposed accompanying events will include creative programming to showcase this work, the wider BMI collection and the historic building and introduce or re-introduce the wider public to “their” Institute. Invitations will be extended to other special interest organisations to bring their members to learn why Ballarat was considered an important centre for learning and knowledge sharing, even in the 19th century.

Cost/Entry Fee: Free to BMI members | $5 for non-members

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View the full list of Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

Ballarat Heritage Festival | BMI

BMI Fundraiser | Fashion Parade and Afternoon Tea | Vintage & Collectables

Rosemary’s Book of the Week
After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will...

Rosemary’s Book of the Week
The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will...

Ballarta Writers – write it your way
Stella Day Out, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events...

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Living Heritage Exhibition
2023-05-25 11:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-26 11:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-27 11:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-28 11:00 - 16:00 | Heritage Reading Room, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Rare Book Week Melbourne | Regional Event | Introduction to the BMI Collection
2024-07-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Heritage Reading Room, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Rare Book Week Melbourne | Rare Books in Mechanics' Institutes: Uncover Hidden Treasures
2025-07-30 18:30 - 19:30 | Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library, 39 Saint Edmonds Road, Prahran, Victoria, 3350, Australia
