WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.209','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [WorkflowEngine] Engine starting with execution id \"c087c1472d9fcd67a0c69c3d368e37e2\" for user #guest (frontend)')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.219','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [WorkflowEngine] Engine ready, listening for triggers')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.226','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [WorkflowEngine] Loading all published workflows')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.236','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [WorkflowEngine] All workflows are ready')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.237','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] Reviews module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.238','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] Notices module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.240','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\Debug\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.243','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\InstanceProtection\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.248','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\VersionNotices\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.249','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\Expirator\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.249','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\Settings\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.250','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\WooCommerce\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.254','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\Workflows\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:41.258','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [Plugin] PublishPress\\Future\\Modules\\Backup\\Module module has been initialized successfully.')
28/05/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 – $12 Lending Library 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 include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our daily…
29/05/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $35.50 – $38.50 Minerva Space Get Tickets Winner Best Comedy Weekly Award 2017 - Adelaide Fringe Nominee 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most OUtstanding Show! The Maracas from Caracas is back with the best jokes he's ever told! After a decade of making Aussies laugh, Ivan has picked the cream of the crop from his all-star…
31/05/2025 @ 10:00 am - 01/06/2025 @ 2:00 pm Free Lending Library Books priced from $1 - more for collectable items. Photo: Pexels - Clem Onojeghuo Don't miss our book sale this weekend. Admission and parking are free (one hour on Saturday, all day Sunday). There are hundreds of books - some of which are in gently used condition and some in mint condition -…
31/05/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:45 pm Free – $34.33 – $34.33 Get Tickets The Sweet Mona’s choir is on tour to launch their latest CD: Let the Good Times Roll. This time we are in our home town Ballarat at the majestic Minerva Space at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute. The evening promises to be packed full of rhythms, harmonies and vibrant energy. Joining us…
01/06/2025 @ 9:45 am - 3:00 pm Free Our beloved Pride Month Market is back, and bigger than ever! Across two floors of the fully accessible Ballaarat Mechanic’s Institute, we’re delighted to present an even bigger array of stall holders than ever before! With art and craft stalls, trash and treasure and second hand goods stalls, you're bound to find a gem or…
03/06/2025 @ 2:00 pm - 01/07/2025 @ 3:00 pm $11.78 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.
04/06/2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets In The Margins Gail Holmes. Vivid, wise and moving - Suzanne Leal. A Sheer Delight - Sally Colin-James. Gail Holmes | Photo Kristian Gehradte In The Margins is an extraordinary debut. A chronicle of a woman who lived and wrote in the margins of time. Inspired by the real life of…
04/06/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 – $12 Lending Library 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 include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our daily…
11/06/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 – $12 Lending Library 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 include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our daily…
12/06/2025 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Archaeological Romance La Chimera is the latest film from Rohrwacher, a delightfully singular Italian writer-director who, with just a handful of feature-length films, has become one of the must-see filmmakers on the international circuit. Arthur, a British archaeologist just released from prison and grieving his lost love, soon falls back in with a rag-tag gang of…
18/06/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 – $12 Lending Library 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 include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our daily…
19/06/2025 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm $10 – $25 Minerva Space Get Tickets Thursday 19 June, Friday 20 June & Saturday 21 June at 7pm Saturday 21 June & Sunday 22 June at 2pm A Tony Award Nominated Play by Geoffry Nauffts Directed by Matthew Henderson Nominated for the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play. Next Fall…
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
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
Pre-Sale $60 from 6 Aug to 9 Aug - $65 thereafter
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
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:43.719','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: [WorkflowEngine] Engine finished processing request (2515 ms)')
WordPress database error: [The table 'S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug' is full]INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES ('2026-07-26 17:22:43.720','0','6a66426131132',0,'DEBUG: Shutdown')
