12/04/2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Wake the Dust by Rita McInnes Jane Harper (The Dry) meets Nick Cave in backroad noir and beyond. When burnt-out Aussie nurse and wannabe writer, Ella, flees her suffocating life in Melbourne for a housesitting assignment on a remote rural property, she is thrust into a brutal and unfamiliar landscape. Her budding friendship with Tom…
13/04/2024 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm $110 – $120 Take part in this important BMI fundraiser Featuring three fabulous bands: The Hideaways, The Harmonies & Surf Shadows The Hideaways The Hideaways takes its name from the iconic Ballarat cafe we all used to visit in the 60’s. We play every Thursday afternoon in Russell’s studio where we rock on to our most loved tunes.…
14/04/2024 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm $64.90 Songs for Suzanne - The music and poetry of Leonard Cohen The fascinatingly enigmatic Leonard Cohen’s first clutch of classic albums saw him become one of the leading proponents of folk. Songs for Suzanne will be a celebration of the beginnings of a distinguished career of a brilliant singer-songwriter. Alongside standards including “Bird On A…
19/04/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $46.00 A show where Kinne shares too much information about all of the things wrong with him. And when you’re in your mid 40s dating someone in their 30s, those things wrong with you are going to become slightly more apparent. But hey, if it means you get to walk away from the show feeling better…
21/04/2024 @ 2:30 pm - 4:15 pm $15 – $35 Violinist Susan Pierotti and pianist Brian Chapman join forces to present a Duo-Recital comprising a rich and varied selection of works by Ludwig van Beethoven. The concert opens with a perennial favourite - the engagingly melodious "Spring" Sonata in F, Op.24, followed by the composer's final Violin Sonata - the serenely pastoral G major Sonata…
23/04/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Internationally bestselling author Dervla McTiernan comes to Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to discuss her suspenseful new novel about two families at war. What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan Nina and Simon are the perfect couple. Young, fun and deeply in love. Until they leave for a weekend at his family’s cabin in Vermont, and…
24/04/2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm $8 – $12 This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in…
26/04/2024 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm $46.40 "Pavey's stand-up delicately weaves elements of darkness and light, moving the audience to the brink of tears, before landing a hefty punchline that leaves them in (metaphorical) stitches.” - The Age After a sold-out debut tour in 2023, Blake Pavey’s plan of dying early didn’t exactly pan out. To celebrate him Still Kickin’… he’s decided…
28/04/2024 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm $20 Sanctuary by Garry Disher Grace is a master thief, specialising in valuable stamps, watches and jewellery. She never stays long in one place, so when she's recognised at a Brisbane stamp expo, she must go on the run again. But she'd like a shot at a normal life, and settles in the Adelaide Hills, where she…
01/05/2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm $10 – $15 This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in…
02/05/2024 @ 5:30 pm - 09/05/2024 @ 10:30 pm $3 – $80 Meet Thursdays in the Humffray Room
08/05/2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm $8 – $12 This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in…
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
