15/09/2021 @ 10:00 am - 09/01/2022 @ 5:00 pm Image: Image: Brian Purnell, Michael Gudinski, Courtesy of Mushroom Creative House Number One | Gudinski (currently open Thursday to Sunday | updated 13/10/21) This element of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will be held in the Basement of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute. We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event. About this…
02/10/2021 @ 10:00 am - 19/11/2021 @ 4:00 pm Image: Be My Valentine 2, 2020 | Melinda Muscat Exhibition of Works Prior to and during Melinda's Tin Art sessions a small exhibition of her works will be on display. Commission earned for works offered for sale during the exhibition will support BMI arts and cultural activities. This display will only be open during normal…
09/10/2021 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $33.00 Image: Melinda Muscat | Burst of Sunshine, 2020 | Tin Art (full image below)A Tin Art Workshop | Melinda Muscat In this workshop you will get to make your very own piece of ready to hang tin art. Melinda has a range of designs and templates you can use or you can create your own simple design. You…
20/10/2021 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $33.00 Image: Melinda Muscat | Burst of Sunshine, 2020 | Tin Art (full image below) A Tin Art Workshop | Melinda Muscat (10am - 1pm) In this workshop you will get to make your very own piece of ready to hang tin art. Melinda has a range of designs and templates you can use or you can create…
22/10/2021 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm $44 Celebrate International Champagne Day with a tasting workshop at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute with Amie Brûlée, Doctor of Wine. We’ll taste two champagnes side by side – a well-known big brand and hand-crafted grower Champagne. Amie will guide you through the tasting, explaining the similarities and differences, and what makes Champagne taste so good! As…
26/10/2021 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm The Reading Room (2.30pm - 4pm) 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 Interest. We welcome you feedback through this form…
19/11/2021 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm $44 Discover the secrets of sparkling wine with a tasting workshop at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute with Amie Brûlée, Doctor of Wine. We’ll take you and your taste buds through a range of sparkling wines - including Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, and Australian sparkling - explaining the difference between the styles. You’ll learn about the history, production…
20/11/2021 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Come along and experience our Spring Maker & Community Market: Meet our makers & stallholders - More > Live music with the talented kids from Ballarat Centre of Music & the Arts (BCMA) - More > Free entry Visit our library as will will be hosting a BMI Fundraising BOOK SALE Our VINTAGE & COLLECTABLES …
30/11/2021 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm The Reading Room (2pm in the Library for a start @ 2.30pm - 4pm) 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…
05/12/2021 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm $15 Enjoy a feast of local creative talent with music from Shadow Feet, FLOC and deborahN; poetry from Sarah Hart and Sean M Whelan; film from Ramas McRae and a special premiere screening of ‘Intimacy in Isolation’ a pandemic collaboration from Bronwyn Blaiklock, Erin M McCuskey and Lily Paskas. We will also launch Gather Threads – one-off clothing…
11/12/2021 @ 12:30 pm - 10:30 pm $20 Welcome to SoundCheck Studio’s highlight event for 2021! SoundCheck are incredibly excited to welcome their artists to the stage after a year of off and on again zoom lessons and cancelled performances. Their students have worked hard to bring you a MASSIVE show of sweet turned and dance-floor vibes. Both the intermediate & senior shows…
18/12/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm $25 – $30 Live music is back, just in time for the holiday season! The BMI presents: A Very Motown Christmas. Dance your way into Christmas with the sound of Motown and Soul. Motor City Sounds will be playing their biggest gig since 2020 here in the heart of Ballarat! This is the perfect event for your work…
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
