15/09/2021 @ 10:00 am - 09/01/2022 @ 5:00 pm 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…
18/12/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm $25 – $30 Live music is back, just in time for the holiday season! The BMI presents: A Very Motown Christmas. Dance your way into Christmas with the sound of Motown and Soul. Motor City Sounds will be playing their biggest gig since 2020 here in the heart of Ballarat! This is the perfect event for your work…
22/01/2022 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Come along and experience to our annual Book Sale FundraiserBooks from $5 plusThese books have been generously donated by Our MembersFree entryIf you would like to donate books to this fundraiser please contact Rosemary. Books can be delivered at any time during regular business hours
22/01/2022 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm $23.50 Charlie Wilde embarks to Regional Victoria and beyond celebrating the release of his acclaimed debut EP 'Allihies, with special guest Benjamin Trillado. "Despite his relative youth, Charlie Wilde's music bursts to life with a cinematic feel that will leave you entranced, the raw beauty of his compositions similar to '90s indie heroes Mercury Rev and…
25/01/2022 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 2.30pm - 4pm) This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance.If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete the Expression of…
30/01/2022 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm $20 – $35 The Ballarat Italian Association presents three great voices singing the most noted songs of the century from the ever-popular operatic arias to English, Spanish & Italian Classics & also modern songs & ballads loved by all. The Three Tenors Show, without doubt, performs the most versatile, sophisticated, heartfelt repertoire that any show could present. Also…
10/02/2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm We begin with a comedy to start the year on a happy note. Set in 2001, when Argentina was at a low point economically, retired soccer star Fermin joins with other locals to finance a grain co-operative that falls prey to a deceptive banker. Consequently, they band together to steal back the money. Revenge has never felt so…
13/02/2022 @ 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm $20 The Push is bringing the All-Ages Tour back on the road this year, bigger and better than ever before! Taking in the sights and scenery throughout 20 regional and outer-suburban locations across Victoria this September and October, the All-Ages Tour will bring thousands of young music fans to locations across the state, in what are…
18/02/2022 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 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…
22/02/2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm The Reading Room (This session will start at 1030am until the resumption of normal operating hours) This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance. If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete…
26/02/2022 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm $25 – $29 We’re packing our bags and hitting the road for some weekend getaways! Be a part of the fun as we roll into regional Victoria with some of Australia’s funniest comedians for a series of outta town trips. Featuring some of Australia’s most exciting comedians including Dilruk Jayasinha, star of Celebrity Masterchef and ABC TV’s Utopia, Alex Ward, regular guest on Have You…
02/03/2022 @ 10:00 am - 20/03/2022 @ 2:00 pm 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…
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Linen & Lace Exhbition
Includes Devonshire Tea | $20
Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
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 | $60
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
