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…
07/11/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 28/11/2024 @ 10:30 pm $3 – $80 Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room
30/11/2024 @ 10:00 am - 01/12/2024 @ 2:00 pm Free Lending Library Books priced from $1 - more for collectable items. Image, artist impression only | Photo by | helloiamtugce Don't miss our book sale this weekend. Admission and parking are free (one hour on Saturday, all day Sunday). There are hundreds of books - some of which are in gently used condition and some…
04/12/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Free – $15 – $15 Lending Library 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…
05/12/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 12/12/2024 @ 10:30 pm $3 – $80 Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room
11/12/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Free – $15 – $15 Lending Library 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…
11/12/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm $15 – $35 Curated by BMI Heritage Curator - Ellen Becker December 11 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Bar open at 6pm $15 – $35 Minerva Theatre Get tickets Don't Look Back Director: D.A. Pennebaker, 1967 (1hr 36m) Bob Dylan To celebrate the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Medieval to Metal exhibition, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is screening three…
12/12/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm $3 – $80 Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room
12/12/2024 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Australian 1950s Outback DramaTo conclude this year marking our 70-year existence, let’s watch a 1956 Australian film classic about an imaginative young boy who lives in the fictional small town of Murrumbilla in the Australian outback. Listen to an older generation of Australian accents; watch two-up games and immerse yourself in a 1950s country sensibility.…
14/12/2024 @ 9:30 am - 4:00 pm $3 – $20 Minerva Space Get tickets Step Back in Time for a Vintage Christmas at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute! This Christmas, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute invites you to a magical experience of nostalgia and holiday cheer. Experience the wonder of early cinema with a special screening of classic silent films that capture the spirit of the season..…
15/12/2024 @ 9:30 am - 4:00 pm $3 – $20 Minerva Space Get tickets Step Back in Time for a Vintage Christmas at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute! This Christmas, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute invites you to a magical experience of nostalgia and holiday cheer. Experience the wonder of early cinema with a special screening of classic silent films that capture the spirit of the season..…
19/12/2024 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm $3 – $20 Minerva Space Get tickets Step Back in Time for a Vintage Christmas at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute! This Christmas, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute invites you to a magical experience of nostalgia and holiday cheer. Experience the wonder of early cinema with a special screening of classic silent films that capture the spirit of the season..…
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
