Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule
2025-07-24 09:15 - 16:30, 2025-07-25 11:00 - 16:30, 2025-07-26 09:15 - 18:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
Tours occur weekly at 2pm

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

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

BMI News

Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026
Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026...

Rosemary’s Book of the Week
The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will...

Rosemary’s Book of the Week
After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will...

Rosemary’s Book of the Week
The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will...

Load More

Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule - Celebrating Chopin
2025-07-27 14:00 - 18:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule
2025-07-28 09:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-29 09:30 - 16:30, 2025-07-30 09:30 - 19:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-01 16:00 - 20:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Rare Book Week Melbourne | Rare Books in Mechanics' Institutes: Uncover Hidden Treasures
2025-07-30 18:30 - 19:30 | Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library, 39 Saint Edmonds Road, Prahran, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others
2025-07-30 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-06 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule & Championship Challenge
2025-08-02 09:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Heats
2025-08-03 14:30 - 20:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Semi Final
2025-08-04 19:30 - 21:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In conversation with Chloe Adams & Alli Sinclair
2025-08-06 18:00 - 19:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Little Brass Band | BMI Fundraiser: Cheers, Raise a Glass to Brass
2025-08-10 14:00 - 16:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Secret History of Sharks with Professor John Long | National Science Week
2025-08-15 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Craig McLachlan Live & Intimate - Six String Stories
2025-08-16 19:30 - 22:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

In Conversation with Michael Robotham
2025-08-20 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Laura J Fitzwilson, Book Launch - The Fool
2025-08-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Heritage Reading Room, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Six String Blues - A Tribute To Blues Guitar
2025-08-23 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration
2025-08-27 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Melbourne Guitar Quartet
2025-08-30 19:30 - 20:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

A Poet's Guide to Love and Loss | A Ballarat Arts Foundation fundraiser featuring tenor Douglas Kelly
2025-08-31 13:00 - 14:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Gabriel Bergmoser
2025-09-01 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 3, Spring Season | Ballarat's Henry Lawson, Unknown facts presented by Hedley Thomson
2025-09-03 17:30 - 18:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
