One Tease Rules Them All: Fellowship of the G-String - The Burlesque Parody
2026-05-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-09 19:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
Ballarat Heritage Festival

2 Tours – one at 11am the next at 2pm (the is a limited capacity on these tours)

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, to do so contact: katrina@ballaratmi.org.au

Cost: $11.78 includes gst and booking fee.

Book here

Accessibility

The Britannia Theatre, 1920 | Image from the BMI archive

New library, the Batten Room

Humffray Room

Minerva Space

Heritage Reading Room

Talking point: BMI’s Paula Nicholson, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and BMI Venue Manager Sam McColl under just some of the candle-smoke graffiti in the Basement | Photo courtesy, Ballarat Times, photographer Edwina Williams

The research material for your tour has been drawn from – Under Minerva’s Gaze: 150 years at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (edited by Jill Blee and Phil Roberts). This reference material is available for purchase at the Library or can be purchased via our Shop.

Under Minerva's Gaze

This event is part of the Ballart Heritage Festival

This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.

Teeny Tiny Stevies - Brain Fart Tour
2026-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

In Conversation with Victoria Purman
2026-05-11 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Kerri Rogan
2026-05-13 18:30 - 20:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Kadampa Meditation Series | Love Changes Everything: How to Transform Yourself & the World Around You
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Black Dog
2026-05-14 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Victorian Occult Conference
2026-05-16 08:30 - 18:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour
2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-19 21:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-12 21:00 - 22:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Panic from the Sky: A Call of Cthulhu Advenure
2026-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Amanda Hampson
2026-05-27 18:30 - 20:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Monster
2026-06-11 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

In Conversation with Mark Smith
2026-06-23 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, a THEATRE 180 production | SOLD OUT
2026-07-10 11:00 - 12:50 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, a THEATRE 180 production
2026-07-10 19:00 - 20:50, 2026-07-11 11:00 - 12:50 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

In Conversation with Benita Bensch
2026-07-15 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Journey Home
2026-07-16 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

God of Carnage, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
2026-07-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-26 14:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Blake Pavey: A Bit Scared
2026-08-07 19:30 - 20:40 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | The Blue Trail
2026-08-13 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Kōkā
2026-09-10 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Bound for Glory
2026-10-08 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
