18/08/2023 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm $70 This workshop is being delivered in Ballarat in partnership with AMaGA Victoria and AICCM. The day will consist of a presentation and discussion focusing on the preventive care of collections including risks, storage and display guidelines, storage and display materials, and basic mount making techniques. The workshop will also include 3 hands on activities. The…
23/08/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Meditation & Buddhism These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat…
26/08/2023 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm $25 – $29 After sell-out seasons across Australia and New Zealand, Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh are coming to Ballarat for one night only to wrap up a 15-month tour with this special live taping of their award-winning show. Presentation is Everything is an hour of fast-paced stand-up comedy that is visually complemented through the medium of Microsoft…
27/08/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $25 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…
27/08/2023 @ 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm $25 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…
23/08/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Meditation & Buddhism These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat…
23/08/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Meditation & Buddhism These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat…
14/09/2023 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Chile, 2019, 107 min. Directed by Pablo Larraín Chilean Musical Drama In his first film since the 2016 double bill of Neruda and Jackie, Pablo Larraín returns to present-day Chile for an incendiary portrait of a young woman in rebellion. Set in Valparaíso, the film concerns married couple Ema, a platinum-blonde reggaeton dancer (played brilliantly…
16/09/2023 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 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…
20/09/2023 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm $10 From the acclaimed author of Cooper Not Out comes an adventurous retelling of the first Melbourne Cup. Set in 1861 Victoria, Good as Gold is a cracking Australian-Western that reflects our colourful history — both the good and the bad. Critically acclaimed Cooper Not Out, described by The Herald Sun and The Daily Telegraph as a ‘five star’ read…
23/09/2023 @ 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm $55 Headliner: Ferri Maya Host: Tash York Special Guest Performers: Cherry Velour Delores Daiquiri Artists: AZCADELIA Desert Diamonds Fandom Femmes Minnie Mayhem Summer Dragonfly Velma Vouloir Vincent Prize The Australian Burlesque Festival presents The Big Teaser! The Australian Burlesque Festival presents an exciting new show that opens prior to the official launch of the national tour. Get…
24/09/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $25 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…
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
