Beyond Limits | An Evening with Mick Marshall
2025-04-26 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
Tours occur weekly at 2pm Our building tours are temporarily paused and will recommence in March 2025. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

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 inlcudes 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

Ash Grunwald at the BMI
2025-04-27 16:00 - 20:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Shelley Burr
2025-04-29 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 2, Special Event | The Life of Walter Withers
2025-04-30 17:30 - 18:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Kadampa Meditation Series | Find Your Flow: A Buddhist Guide to an Effortless Life
2025-04-30 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Natasha Lester
2025-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | City of Ballarat

E A Gleeson, Book Launch - The Deepest Thing: A Poetic Memoir
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Mimi Kwa
2025-05-07 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di Biciclette)
2025-05-08 19:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Seedpod Ballarat 2025 | Gemma Cavoli - 'Oubliette' | Artist in Residence
2025-05-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker
2025-05-09 19:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker - Session 2
2025-05-10 14:30 - 16:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker - Session 3
2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Darcy Tindale
2025-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour, Ballarat Heritage Festival - NOW FULLY BOOKED
2025-05-16 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-16 21:30 - 22:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Dinner - This event has now been CANCELLED.
2025-05-17 18:30 - 23:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Dame Nellie Melba Celebration Performance
2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour, Ballarat Heritage Festival
2025-05-18 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-18 21:30 - 22:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 1
2025-05-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 2
2025-05-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 3
2025-05-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Kadampa Meditation Series | Healthy Habits for A Happy Mind
2025-05-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Blazing Saddles
2025-05-23 18:30 - 20:15 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Chinatown
2025-05-23 20:30 - 22:45 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Whispers from the Garden | In Partnership with Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens Inc.
2025-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
