Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | One space available

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many […]

$132.00

Ballarat Film Society – Quo Vadis, Aida?

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

​Quo Vadis, Aida? is inspired by true events.  In Bosnia, 1995, middle-aged Aida is a United Nations translator located in the small mountain town of Srebrenica when the Serbian army ignores a UN peace ultimatum and begins a series of round-ups. Aida’s translation skills come into action when Aida and her family find themselves among 30,000 […]

Chris Hammer | Now cancelled

BMI - Humffray Room 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Ballarat Libraries in partnership with BMI Join bestselling crime writer Chris Hammer in conversation with 2022 Indie Book Award winner for debut fiction Lyn Yeowart.  Hammer, the multi-award-winning author of Scrublands will be discussing his highly anticipated novel The Tilt. A must attend event for lovers of gripping, homegrown Australian crime writing. Yeowart’s debut novel (The […]

Free

Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | 20 October 22

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many […]

$132.00
Event Series The Reading Room | NOW CANCELLED

The Reading Room | NOW CANCELLED

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

The Reading Room  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 your feedback through this form as we […]

Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | 27 October 22

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many […]

$132.00

Current Affairs Dialogue | NOW POSTPONED TO 24 NOVEMBER

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Last months Summary: Three members met at the BMI on Thursday 29 September at 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the scheduled CAD session. Several apologies received. Subject was the Ukraine situation. Another stimulating discussion. It covered the centuries-old background to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, rooted as it is in break-up of past empires, various peace […]

Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | 3 November 22

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many […]

$132.00

Salon Sessions: The BMI in partnership with Duo Latte

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

The musicians: John Dods & Dana Czarski: Image Courtesy: John Dods Duo Latte: (Formed in 2020). This classical duo comprises two musicians who live in the Wimmera and began as a direct result of the Covid pandemic.  Unable to continue with the long-established Ballarat Symphony Orchestral weekly rehearsals, 'cellist John Dods soon realised that an opportunity […]

$38.50

Ballarat Film Society – First Cow

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

With a similar ‘feel’ to McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), First Cow reveals, surprisingly, an America built on racial and social diversity during the birth of American enterprise. Two travellers on the run in the 1820s dream of striking it rich, relying on a wealthy landowner’s cow which is the first cow to ever reach Oregon. Cookie […]

Eric Bogle Live

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

Eric Bogle is an internationally known and respected songwriter. For nearly 40 years he has toured the world with his music, inflicting his songs on innocent bystanders from outback Australia to the streets of New York and many places in between. During those 40 years he has embarked on eight tours of North America, 11 […]

$69

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

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your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

with Kylie Ladd

 Wed 25 June at 6pm

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing