The Many Roles of Nellie Melba Exhibition

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

In a celebration of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, Our Collections volunteers have created a small exhibition of images of roles Nellie performed during her stella career (all taken from our heritage collection of books). They have also collected news items about Nellie's performances here in Ballarat (from our collection of Heritage Newspapers. The exhibition will […]

The Many Roles of Nellie Melba Exhibition Copy

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

In a celebration of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, Our Collections volunteers have created a small exhibition of images of roles Nellie performed during her stella career (all taken from our heritage collection of books). They have also collected news items about Nellie's performances here in Ballarat (from our collection of Heritage Newspapers. The exhibition will […]

Fanny Lumsden’s Deep in the Fallow Tour

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

Fanny Lumsden and her band The Pack are bringing fallow out on its last hurrah. After its wobbly start in 2020, to its incredible list of accolades including the ARIA for Best Country Album; five-time CMAA Golden Guitars including Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year; AIR Country Album of the Year; […]

$30

Exhibition of works Lillipilli Beads, Faye Heininger

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Lillipilli Beads, courtesy Faye Heininger Exhibition of Works Prior to Faye's workshop on 20 July she will have a selection of her work on display in the Library. If you would like more information on Faye's work or attend her workshop go to our events page prior to 20 July or pop into the library […]

BMI Fundraiser | The Phantom of the Open

Regent Cinemas Ballarat 49 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Dont miss this opportunity to support the BMI and see a great film. A heart-warming British comedy starring Oscar Winner Mark Rylance, the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, the worst golfer to ever the play the British Open. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN tells the remarkable true story of Maurice Flitcroft, a crane operator and […]

$20.00

Ballarat Film Society – High Ground

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

Stars: Guruwuk Mununggurr, Wakarra Gondarra, Jack Thompson, Simon Baker, Callan Mulvey and Aaron Pedersen. We present this film to celebrate NAIDOC Week, 2022. This is the first film that director Stephen Maxwell Johnson has made since Yolngu Boy, 20 years ago. Set in the 1930s Northern Territory, where two cultures collide in the violence perpetuated […]

Day Tour of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Courtesy Paul LambethThe Tour (by day)A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people.Tuesday’s at 2pmBy appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form.Cost (incl. gst)$10 per personFind out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a Day Tour Subscribe Newsletter Become a BMI […]

$10.00

Paper bead-making with Faye Heininger | 20 July – Session 1 of 2 | Now fully booked

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Faye Heininger Faye started Lilli Pilli Beads (a paper bead jewellery and accessories company) after moving to Ballarat in September 2019. She has a background in art and started creating art in high school. She has a diploma of Interior Design, a Certificate III in Visual Art and has worked in marketing for almost 30 […]

BMI Fundraiser | Carols in Winter | Ballarat Singers & Little Brass Band

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

Join us for  Carols in Winter with The Ballarat Singers & The Little Brass Band | Audience Participation Encouraged.An evening of fun good cheer and sing-a-long...It's cold outside so what better way to warm up our minds and hearts than with carolling harmony.We are thrilled to have The Ballarat Singers & The Little Brass Band […]

$10.00

The Reading Room | 26 July

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

Day Tour of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]

$10.00

Paper bead-making with Faye Heininger | 27 July – Session 2 of 2 | Now fully booked

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Faye Heininger Faye started Lilli Pilli Beads (a paper bead jewellery and accessories company) after moving to Ballarat in September 2019. She has a background in art and started creating art in high school. She has a diploma of Interior Design, a Certificate III in Visual Art and has worked in marketing for almost 30 […]

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

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 | Now $20

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