June 7 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Free Book your spot Interested in drag but not sure where or how to start? Or maybe you’ve already been performing and want a space to develop new ideas? Curious about drag or looking to deepen your creative practice? The 5 Senses of Drag is a 3-hour […]
May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 Lending Library, ground floor 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 […]
June 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Minerva Room Japanese Coming of Age Psychological Thriller This psychological mystery/exploration of growing up from one of Japan’s major filmmakers offers superb acting and an intriguing storyline that seems darker than it ends up being. A young boy’s mother feels that there is something wrong with him; […]
April 24 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance Get Tickets 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 […]
October 31 @ 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance Get Tickets 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 […]
June 17 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Palace of Lost Virture Anthea Hodgson Anthea will be in conversation with local author A J Lyndon At its core, The Palace of Lost Virtue is a story of female friendship and resilience. Blending real historical events with beautifully written fiction, […]
May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 Lending Library, ground floor 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 […]
June 21 @ 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm $10 Program Premier Pianoforte event The Margaret Schofield - Celebrating Chopin Competition Experience the power, poetry, and passion of Chopin like never before at Celebrating Chopin—a national competition bringing together the finest young pianists from across Australia. Each performer presents a carefully crafted Chopin program, showcasing brilliance, individuality, […]
June 23 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets Where Truth Ends Mark Smith What if everything you believed in was a lie? Truth and betrayal collide in the new Mark Smith thriller, perfect for fans of Christian White and Lisa Jewell. Meg Maher thought she was doing the right thing. […]
May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 Lending Library, ground floor 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 […]
June 27 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm $10 Program Vocal Championship Challenge The Vocal Championship Challenge is a dynamic showcase of Australia’s most promising emerging singers, each stepping onto the stage to prove their versatility and artistry. Performers present two contrasting works—one classical and one from stage and screen—demonstrating the range, adaptability, and storytelling power essential […]
June 29 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm $10 Program Herald Sun Aria Semi-Final 2025 Herald Sun Aria semi-finals Ballarat. Semi Finalists Breanna Stuart, James Young, Livia Brash, Jake Bigwood, Molly Ryan and Bailey Montgomerie. Picture: David Caird The Herald Sun Aria Semi-Final brings together 12 of the finest emerging operatic voices in Australia, each competing for […]
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
