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26/04/2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am - 12noon) This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance.If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete the Expression of…
27/04/2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm The Yarrowee: Uncovering the secrets of the Ballarat RiverBMI Twilight Talks are back! The series is hosted by Prue Bentley. Prue Bentley Session 3How people power is protecting local waterwaysJeff RootesJeff is one of the original convenors of the Friends of Canadian Corridor. In 2012 the large Canadian Forest Blue Gum plantation was going to…
28/04/2022 @ 11:00 am BALLARAT ANZACS | Talks Garry Snowden, President, Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour will facilitate a talk on each Thursday of the display: Thursday 7 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | Garry Snowden Thursday 14 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | Yvon Davis Thursday 21…
04/05/2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm The Yarrowee: Uncovering the secrets of the Ballarat River BMI Twilight Talks are back! The series is hosted by Prue Bentley. Prue Bentley Session 4 Liquid gold down under, and the "sludgy" history of Yarrowee Creek A Sludgy History of Yarrowee Creek Ballarat’s mining heyday was not kind to Yarrowee Creek. Between 1851 and 1914…
11/05/2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm The Yarrowee: Uncovering the secrets of the Ballarat River Session 5 From eel traps to bluestone, our changing use of the Yarrowee BMI Twilight Talks are back! The series is hosted by Prue Bentley. Prue Bentley The bluestone channel The bluestone channel, which winds its way through the city of Ballarat is a remarkable example…
12/05/2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm An unhappy couple living on a remote Icelandic farm are reinvigorated by a miraculous discovery in their sheep shed. Filling the void with a bizarre animal-human hybrid lamb, a passionate attachment begins after naming the new lamb Ada after their lost daughter. Troubles and family strain ensues resulting in extreme drama and weirdness. Cinematographer Eli…
17/05/2022 @ 11:00 am - 04/07/2022 @ 11:00 am In a celebration of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, Our Collections volunteers have created a small exhibition of images of roles Nellie performed during her stella career (all taken from our heritage collection of books). They have also collected news items about Nellie's performances here in Ballarat (from our collection of Heritage Newspapers. The exhibition will…
17/05/2022 @ 11:00 am - 04/07/2022 @ 11:00 am In a celebration of the Ballarat Heritage Festival, Our Collections volunteers have created a small exhibition of images of roles Nellie performed during her stella career (all taken from our heritage collection of books). They have also collected news items about Nellie's performances here in Ballarat (from our collection of Heritage Newspapers. The exhibition will…
31/05/2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 10.30am - 12noon) This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance.If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete the Expression of…
08/06/2022 @ 10:30 am - 1:00 pm $33.00 Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it's easy to cover any marks…
08/06/2022 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm $10 Wendy McCarthy has been a trailblazer in the feminist movement in Australia for over 50 years. At this in-conversation event, she’ll discuss her tireless spirit for activism and change, as recounted in her new book Don’t Be Too Polite Girls. McCarthy’s inspiring memoir is filled with cautionary tales and insider stories about her experiences as…
09/06/2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Stars: Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill and Ian Lloyd Anderson. Sandra, (Clare Dunne), is a young mum struggling to provide her two daughters with a warm, safe and happy home in which to grow up. With very little income and no savings, Sandra perservers to build a house from scratch in Dublin: an ambitious dream whilst trying to escape the…
Trivia Night Fundraiser
26 August Doors open 6.45pm | Tickets also available at the door
$25 per person | $20 BMI members
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
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
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.
