Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute | Victorian Seniors Festival

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

The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. These tours are lead by volunteer tour guides. Victorian Seniors Festival Attendees $5, non seniors $10 per person (Seniors Status identity to be shown). Accessiblity - Note Most of this tour is wheelchair accessible, however the tour does include entry into the […]

$5

Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute | Victorian Seniors Festival

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

The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. These tours are lead by volunteer tour guides. Victorian Seniors Festival Attendees $5, non seniors $10 per person (Seniors Status identity to be shown). Accessiblity - Note Most of this tour is wheelchair accessible, however the tour does include entry into the […]

$5

Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute | Victorian Seniors Festival

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

The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. These tours are lead by volunteer tour guides. Victorian Seniors Festival Attendees $5, non seniors $10 per person (Seniors Status identity to be shown). Accessiblity - Note Most of this tour is wheelchair accessible, however the tour does include entry into the […]

$5

In Conversation with Clare Fletcher

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

‘Funny, warm, and real…. Cements Clare Fletcher’s position as queen of the Aussie country town romance. Long may she reign!’– Hayley ScrivenorThe highly anticipated spin-off from Five Bush Weddings will have readers falling in love with footy, fashion and fabulous 1960s flashbacks.Clare Fletcher’s latest instalment from the fictional – and all too familiar - regional […]

$10

The Photography of the BMI | Victorian Seniors Festival | Now fully Booked

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

The BMI is home to thousands of photographs of Ballarat through the ages.  Through the lens of several different photographers and collectors including Max Harris.  Join us for a curator-led tour of the BMI's photographic exhibition as part of the Ballarat Foto Biennale, as well as a special viewing of some treasures from our collection […]

$5

Unsettling: An insight into landscape change from Barry Golding

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

Professor Barry Golding is speaking on his insights into the changing conservation and care of 6 peaks in Southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Bunanyung Landscape Alliance is proud to present a FREE talk by Prof Barry Golding. A respect for landscape is built into our name. We recognise that landscapes change, and that our perceptions […]

Free

Card Making with Fay Marshall | Victorian Seniors Festival

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

Image: Happy Birthday | Fay's CreationsA workshop in Cardmaking.In this workshop you will use your creativity and style to produce amazing greeting cards that speak to your friends, family and colleagues with personality and heart.You will learn:How to use paint to make your own original backgrounds.How to use stencils, a medium and paint to make interesting raised […]

$15

Past Truths/Bright Futures

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

An evening of history and hope with local historian Dr Marguerita Stephens and local documentary film-maker James Freemantle.The Years of Terror meticulously documents the struggle of the Kulin clans to hold Country as La Trobe unleashed ‘the terror of British law’ on them.Based on the journal of Assistant Protector William Thomas, this work provides a […]

Free
Event Series Ballarat Film Society 2023

Ballarat Film Society – Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World

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

USA, 2016, 98 min. Directed by Werner Herzog Digital Revolution Documentary Elon Musk, Lawrence Krauss and Lucianne Walkowicz, stars of the digital revolution, feature in Werner Herzog’s documentary about the internet, which he calls one of the “greatest revolutions of humanity.” Herzog asks pertinent questions, and patiently listens, allowing his subjects to reveal all the […]

A Talk by Dr Phil Roberts OAM | Under Minerva’s Gaze | Victorian Seniors Festival

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

150 years at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute Join Phil Roberts as he shares some of the fascinating details captured in Under Minerva's Gaze. If you like a good story with a happy ending you will also be delighted by the efforts of recent Committees to raise money to restore the heritage building. The BMI now […]

$5

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tours

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

Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a fascinating history that is just waiting to […]

$25

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