Beatles Legacy and Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute invite you to experience performances from masterpieces from Paul, John, George, Ringo and Beyond in the Minerva Space, Saturday 26th March. This 2 hour musical journey will take you from the early Beatles days to their critically acclaimed solo careers. Performing masterpieces from Paul, John, George, Ringo, and beyond! Beatles […]
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 | 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 […]
The comedian touted as Australia’s answer to Seinfeld is back with a brand new show for 2022 – and with most of us needing a good laugh after the events of the last two years, his tour will be just the ticket. After surviving the world’s longest lockdown in Melbourne, Joe is bursting with new […]
The Yarrowee: Uncovering the secrets of the Ballarat River BMI Twilight Talks are back! The series is hosted by Prue Bentley. Prue Bentley Session 1 The Yarrowee's cultural connection: Then and now Environmental challenges for the City of Ballarat “City of Ballarat Councillor Belinda Coates is passionate about the environment and action on climate change. […]
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 […]
In late 1970s Britain, fascists and racists were gaining ground, extending their influence across popular culture. This film documents a vital London protest movement established in response. Rock Against Racism (RAR) was formed in 1976, during a hostile environment of anti-immigrant hysteria and National Front marches. As neo-Nazis recruited the nation's youth, RAR's multicultural punk and […]
The Yarrowee: Uncovering the secrets of the Ballarat River BMI Twilight Talks are back! The series is hosted by Prue Bentley. Prue Bentley Session 2 What bird or beast is that? The special wildlife of the Yarrowee and surrounds Gardens for Wildlife Ballarat Gardens for Wildlife Ballarat is a free, community-based gardening program that helps people […]
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 […]
The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am - 12noon) 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 […]
The Yarrowee: Uncovering the secrets of the Ballarat RiverBMI Twilight Talks are back! The series is hosted by Prue Bentley. Prue Bentley Session 3How people power is protecting local waterwaysJeff RootesJeff is one of the original convenors of the Friends of Canadian Corridor. In 2012 the large Canadian Forest Blue Gum plantation was going to […]
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 […]
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
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
