27/05/2024 @ 1:30 pm - 31/03/2025 @ 3:00 pm The Reading Room This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly, the last Monday of the month, in the Heritage Reading Room (subject to availability) . Members will select books to be discussed which will include fiction, non-fiction, poetry and short stories. If you would like to be a part of this group (free…
28/05/2024 @ 2:00 pm - 29/10/2024 @ 3:00 pm $10 A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Group Tours: Group tours can also be accommodated on other days.
01/08/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 29/08/2024 @ 10:30 pm $3 – $80 Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room
19/08/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm $18.14 – $53.85 ROYAL SOUTH STREET SOCIETY | Herald Sun Aria Semi Finals
20/08/2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm $10 The Ghost of Briar Rose Anna Romer Everyone says the old mountainside house is haunted. Which is perfect because ghost hunter Cleary Branchwood knows it’s easy money. He’ll buy the propertydirt cheap, flush out the poor wretch of a ghost they call Briar Rose, and resell for an unthinkable sum to investors from Melbourne. Simple,…
21/08/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Free – $15 – $15 These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. The in-person setting fosters a supportive community and offers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance. Classes include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our daily problems and…
23/08/2024 @ 8:00 pm - 9:10 pm $15 – $30 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF QUEER THEATRE | Serial nudist, Freankie van Kan achieves the improbable task of exposing more of herself than ever before. Recommended audience 18+
24/08/2024 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm $25 – $50 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN QUEER THEATRE | Presenting a writing and practice workshop.
24/08/2024 @ 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm $25 – $50 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF QUEER THEATRE | Masterclass workshop, explores creating from what is most urgent...
24/08/2024 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm $15 – $30 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF QUEER THEATRE | Written by Em Chandler, a staged reading...
25/08/2024 @ 12:00 pm - 1:20 pm $15 – $30 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF QUEER THEATRE | Commissioned by Festival of Australian Queer Theatre Will you let yourself go? How far are you willing to go? Who are you willing to let...
25/08/2024 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm $15 – $30 FAQT: FESTIVAL OF QUEER THEATRE | Hosted by John Kachoyan. Until comparatively recently, live performance work and story telling on the Australian stage was still rare and scandalous. That doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. From 1800s male impersonator Effie Fellows to modern classics oF...
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
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
Pre-Sale $60 from 6 Aug to 9 Aug - $65 thereafter
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
