BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250408T042521Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T042633Z UID:64378-1753297200-1753300800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations for A Clear Mind DESCRIPTION:July 9\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace\nthrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community and\noffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.\nClasses include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our\ndaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)\ninfo@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589\nmeditateinballarat.org\nABN 86 114 195 550\nKMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \nThe Teacher\nChristielli Portela has been teaching modern Kadampa Buddhism for a decade. As an experienced and well-loved teacher\, she inspires people to use Buddhist meditation to improve their lives through her sincere example and clear teachings. \n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-23-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Clear-Mind-Urban-Ballarat-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250724T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250724T163000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T035700Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063134Z UID:65807-1753348500-1753374600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 24\n@\n9:15 am\n–\n4:30 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nPianoforte 11yrs to 14yrs | 9.15am – 4.30pm \nA showcase of talent throughout the day. \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-4/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250725T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250725T163000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T042305Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063123Z UID:65813-1753441200-1753461000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 25\n@\n11:00 am\n–\n4:00 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nPianoforte 19yrs and under | 11am – 4.30pm \nAn impressive line up of talent throughout the day. \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-5/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250726T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250726T183000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T064136Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T062951Z UID:65868-1753521300-1753554600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 26\n@\n9:15 am\n–\n6:30 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nPianoforte 16yrs and under\,  9.15am – 1.30pm \nPianoforte 16yrs and under – competing to win the aggregate prize. \nCelebrating Chopin Junior\, 16yrs and under\, 3.30pm – 6.30pm \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-9/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250727T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250727T180000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T044813Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T050048Z UID:65825-1753624800-1753639200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule - Celebrating Chopin DESCRIPTION:July 27\n@\n2:00 pm\n–\n6:00 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nPremier Pianoforte event \nThe Margaret Schofield – Celebrating Chopin Competition \n$9\,000 in prize money\, come and see Australia’s best pianists battle for the prize performing the glorious . \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-7/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/chopin.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250728T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250728T173000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T052537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063100Z UID:65835-1753695000-1753723800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 28\n@\n9:30 am\n–\n5:30 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nJunior Vocal Sections 10yrs and under \nTiny and talented! \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-4/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250729T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250729T163000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T054647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063035Z UID:65841-1753781400-1753806600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 29\n@\n9:30 am\n–\n4:30 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nJunior Vocal Sections 11yrs to under 14yrs \nThe most competitive and largest age group! \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-5/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T190000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T060939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063024Z UID:65852-1753867800-1753902000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 30\n@\n9:30 am\n–\n7:00 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nJunior Vocal Sections 11yrs to under 14yrs \nDay two\, competing for the overall aggregate! \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-6/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T193000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250715T014238Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250730T001534Z UID:66248-1753900200-1753903800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Rare Book Week Melbourne | Rare Books in Mechanics' Institutes: Uncover Hidden Treasures DESCRIPTION:July 30\n@\n6:30 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \nPrahran Mechanics’ Institute\nVictorian History Library \nRare Books in Mechanics’ Institutes \nJoin our expert panel featuring librarians from three historic Victorian institutions: the PMI Victorian History Library (est. 1854)\, Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (est. 1859)\, and Athenaeum Library (est. 1839). \nDelve into the rich history of these community learning hubs\, explore rare books and materials in their collections\, and gain behind-the-scenes insights into rare book collecting. Learn how these libraries are shaping their collections for the future\, preserving our literary heritage for generations to come. \nDon’t miss this unique opportunity to explore Victoria’s literary treasures and engage directly with our knowledgeable panel. \nVictorian Mechanics’ Institutes represented \nAbout PMI Victoiran History Library \nEstablished in 1854\, we are the second oldest public library in Victoria. We have a collection of over 40\,000 items and take pride in being the sole library in Australia with such an extensive collection available for loan. Our focus remains rooted in local history\, housing a wealth of information encompassing most towns in Victoria. \nAbout The Melbourne Ahtenaeum  \nThe Library and Reading Room offers over 30\,000 print\, digital\, and audio books\, a range of magazine and newspaper subscriptions\, and film and TV on DVD for borrowing and use in the library\, and hosts regular music performances\, talks\, book and screen clubs\, and other cultural events. \nAbout The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute  \nEstablished in 1859\, and independently run\, membership to the BMI gives access to our lending library and heritage books and archives\, and discounts on events and hire. All are welcome to visit for tours\, cultural events and exhibitions\, and to hire our unique function rooms. With the addition of a new finishing kitchen\, the BMI is a special venue for holding celebrations\, weddings\, conferences and performances. \nBookings Essential \n\nBookings\n \nLive Streaming \nThis event will be live streamed to the\nPMI History Library YouTube Channel. \n  URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rare-books-mechanics-institutes/ LOCATION:Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library\, 39 Saint Edmonds Road\, Prahran\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:About us,Important Dates,Rare Book Week,The Collection ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG39-BMI-crop.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250408T040007Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041032Z UID:64365-1753902000-1753905600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:July 9\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace\nthrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community and\noffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.\nClasses include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our\ndaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)\ninfo@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589\nmeditateinballarat.org\nABN 86 114 195 550\nKMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \nThe Teacher\nChristielli Portela has been teaching modern Kadampa Buddhism for a decade. As an experienced and well-loved teacher\, she inspires people to use Buddhist meditation to improve their lives through her sincere example and clear teachings. \n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-30-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250731T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250731T160000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T062123Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063012Z UID:65855-1753956000-1753977600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:July 31\n@\n10:00 am\n–\n4:00 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nJunior Vocal Sections 14yrs to under 16yrs \nA huge variety of mixed genres! \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-7/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T160000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T203000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T063047Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063002Z UID:65863-1754064000-1754080200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:August 1\n@\n4:00 pm\n–\n8:30 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nChampionship Challenge (Junior) \nArt Song and Lieder (18yrs and over) and a stunning masterclass conducted by Dr Richard Chew – all invited to attend! \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-8/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T210000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250625T043529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063828Z UID:65954-1754127000-1754168400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule & Championship Challenge DESCRIPTION:August 2\n@\n9:30 am\n–\n9:00 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nSenior Classical Vocal \, 9.30am – 3.30pm \nAn impressive classical showcase for 18yrs and over. \nPremire Senior Vocal event\, 5pm – 9pm \nChampionship Challenge\, $1\,000 in prize money. Come and see the finest singers perfroming two contrasting peices. \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-vocal-schedule-9-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250803T143000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250803T203000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250624T235217Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T062854Z UID:65881-1754231400-1754253000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Heats DESCRIPTION:August 3\n @\n2:30 pm\n –\n8:30 pm \n\n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nHerald Sun Aria – Heat 1 – 2.30pm-4.30pm \nHerald Sun Aria – Heat 2 – 6.30pm-8.30pm \n140 Singers vying for their place in the semi-final\, and ultimately their place in theprestigious Herald Sun Aria Final. \nThis is an afternoon and evening of incredible singing and passionate operatic ariasperfromed by the best of Australia’s emerging talent. \n\n \nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n \n rsss website\n \n \n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-aria-heats/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250804T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250804T213000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250625T000219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250722T042831Z UID:65888-1754335800-1754343000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Semi Final DESCRIPTION:August 4\n@\n7:30 pm\n–\n9:30 pm \n$8 – $10 \nMinerva Space \nProgram\nHerald Sun Aria – Semi Final \nOur premier aria event. \nThis is the event that has helped launch the careers of some of Australia and New Zealand’s most successful operatic stars\, including our Patron\, Dame Kirite Kanawa! \nTonight\, experience the pure magic of Opera with the stars of tomorrow. \nSix of the best will be chosen to perform in the Herald Sun Aria Final to be held at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Sunday 26 October at 3.00PM \n\nTickets available at the door $10 Adult – $8 Concession \n\nrsss website\n\n\n \nRoyal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rsss-aria-semi-final/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T193000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250527T025831Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T021316Z UID:65197-1754503200-1754508600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In conversation with Chloe Adams & Alli Sinclair DESCRIPTION:August 6\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \n$11.78 \nTBA \n\nGet Tickets\n\n \nThe Occupation \nA Woman’s Voice \nChloe Adams \nAlli Sinclair \n‘Assured\, deft\, sophisticated\, Chloe Adams is the real deal’ – Emily Bitto \nA sweeping romantic adventure based on true events of the women’s liberation movement \nThe Occupation | Chloe Adams\n \nIn the autumn of 1949\, two women convene in the parlour of an upmarket Melbourne hotel. Tess is married and childless. Mary\, unwed and pregnant. Over thirty minutes\, Mary agrees to a life-altering pact: to hand over her child. \nOne year earlier\, Mary had arrived in the ruined port of Kure\, where thousands of Australians had established an occupation of the Hiroshima prefecture. Among the rubble\, she finds a surreal expat world of picnics\, parties and uneasy privilege\, while the local population struggles to rebuild. \nThere she meets Sullivan “Sully” Darling\, an Australian journalist. What begins as a weekend trip to the mountains turns into a love affair —one that forces Mary to confront her ideals about the war\, the Allies’ legacy and herself. \nBack in Australia\, the echoes of occupation linger\, as Mary fights to reclaim her place —and her child —in a society determined to possess her. \nFor fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn\, Kristin Hannah and Sarah Winman\, The Occupation is a tender\, beautifully told novel about love\, legacy and the quiet aftershocks of history. \nWhen violin virtuoso Laura Hartley’s priceless instrument is stolen\, her celebrated European career collapses — and with it\, her rare gift of seeing music in colour. Fleeingto her grandmother’s home in the Australian outback\, Laura discovers anextraordinary legacy woven through sheets of music: a powerful symphony born fromthe revolutionary hearts of suffragettes who refused to be silenced\, their voices risingabove the doomed decks of the Titanic. \nAs she traces each note of this forgotten masterpiece\, Laura uncovers a story of women who dared to fight for a world where every voice could be heard. And when scandal rocks the town of Gungderring\, she must decide: will she stay in thewings\, or step forward and fight? \nAbout the authors\nChloe Adams\nAlli Sinclair\nChloe Adams is the winner of the Penguin Literary Prize 2024. She is a journalist and fiction writer and has been published widely by Australian news mastheads and literary journals. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing and a Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development. \n2025 Bestselling\, multi-award-winning author Alli Sinclair uncovers little-known historical events through the eyes of women who defied society’s expectations. A global adventurer\, she transports readers on journeys of discovery across continents and eras. \nWhen not writing\, Alli runs the annual Writers at Sea retreat and crafts narratives for screen as a film and TV producer and screenwriter. \n$11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. \n\nBook on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n\nGet Tickets\n\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/chloe-adams-alli-sinclair/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Ballarat Winter Festival,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sq-promo-chloe-and-alli-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250408T041052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041408Z UID:64372-1754506800-1754510400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:July 9\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace\nthrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community and\noffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.\nClasses include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our\ndaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)\ninfo@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589\nmeditateinballarat.org\nABN 86 114 195 550\nKMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \nThe Teacher\nChristielli Portela has been teaching modern Kadampa Buddhism for a decade. As an experienced and well-loved teacher\, she inspires people to use Buddhist meditation to improve their lives through her sincere example and clear teachings. \n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-6-august/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250810T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250810T160000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250512T035956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T061800Z UID:64945-1754834400-1754841600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Little Brass Band | BMI Fundraiser: Cheers\, Raise a Glass to Brass DESCRIPTION:August 10\n@\n2:00 pm\n–\n4:00 pm \n$21 – $26.13 \n\nGet Tickets\n \nThe Little Brass Band an award-winning Goldfields Region Brass Quintet\n.\n\n  \nThe Little Brass Band presents a selection of cool jazz and popular tunes. The Bar will be open and complimentary snacks. This is a fundraiser for the BMI. \nThe first half is cool Jazz ranging from New Orleans classics to upbeat Dixieland swing time! For example: Ain’t Misbehav’n\, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy\, Chattanooga Choo-Choo\, Saints Hallelujah. \nThe second half started out with popular easy listening tunes from movies such as Blues Brothers. Looking at the selection it seemed there was a theme around ‘relationships\, romance\, love of country\, love songs’. \nSo we have a range from Elvis Presley Can’t help falling in love\, The Beatles When I’m 64\, and even from the Lion King Can you feel the love tonight. Finishing off with a lovely arrangement of  I still call Australia Home. \nProgram \n\n\nMore Live Music\n \nGet Tickets: \n$26.13 GA \n$21 BMI Memberss \nIncludes bkg fee & gst.26.13 \n\nGet Tickets\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/little-brass-band/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/little-brass-band-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250813T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250813T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250408T041113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041537Z UID:64373-1755111600-1755115200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:July 9\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace\nthrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community and\noffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.\nClasses include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our\ndaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)\ninfo@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589\nmeditateinballarat.org\nABN 86 114 195 550\nKMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \nThe Teacher\nChristielli Portela has been teaching modern Kadampa Buddhism for a decade. As an experienced and well-loved teacher\, she inspires people to use Buddhist meditation to improve their lives through her sincere example and clear teachings. \n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-13-august/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250815T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250815T193000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250811T041345Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250811T045630Z UID:66767-1755280800-1755286200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Secret History of Sharks with Professor John Long | National Science Week DESCRIPTION:August 15\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \n$11.78 \nMinerva Space \n\nGet Tickets\n \n\nJoin us for an evening with internationally renowned palaeontologist Professor John Long as he dives deep into the mysterious past of one of nature’s most formidable creatures — the shark! \nAs part of National Science Week\, Professor Long will present his groundbreaking new book\, The Secret History of Sharks: The Rise of the Ocean’s Most Fearsome Predators\, a fascinating journey through 500 million years of evolution. \nFrom ancient megalodons to fearsome great whites\, Professor Long unearths the remarkable story of how sharks came to rule the seas — and what they can teach us about our planet’s ancient history. \nPrepare for a captivating presentation perfect for curious minds of all ages. As a special treat\, Professor Long will also be bringing along real fossil specimens\, including a real fossil tooth of a megalodon – the largest shark to have ever lived! \nThis event is family-friendly\, and budding young palaeontologists are warmly encouraged to attend! It’s a rare chance to see real prehistoric fossils up close and hear firsthand from one of Australia’s most respected science communicators. \nIf you’re keen to sink your teeth into The Secret History of Sharks\, Professor Long will be available for a book signing following the presentation. \n\nSpeaker:John Long \nProf John Long is Strategic Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders. His research investigates the early evolution of vertebrates\, showing how fishes first developed many of the anatomical structures and behaviours now associated with terrestrial animals\, such a limbs\, digits\, lungs\, endocranial structures\, breathing and advanced sexual reproduction. Some of his most recent contributions are the on the origins of digits first appearing in the Devonian fish Elpistostege (a collaboration with Richard Cloutier\, University of Quebec)\, and how the braincase development influenced brain shape in coelacanth fishes (with Hugo Dutel\, Bristol University). Both studies were published in Nature recently. \nProfessor John Long\nTickets and Bookings \nTiekcts: General Admission\, adults – $11 | Child – $8 | BMI Members $8\, includes gst\, plus booking fee. \n\nGet Tickets\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-secret-history-of-sharks/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Festival,Fundraiser,Members,Science Week,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sq-promo-the-secret-history-of-sharks.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250816T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250816T220000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250605T021537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T031934Z UID:65518-1755372600-1755381600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Craig McLachlan Live & Intimate - Six String Stories DESCRIPTION:August 16\n@\n7:30 pm\n–\n10:00 pm \n$69.90 \n\nGet Tickets\n \nLive & intimate.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nGet ready Australia for a Night To Remember as Australian heartthob Craig McLachlan brings his unique & exciting Live & Intimate stage show to theatre’s and venues across Australia. \nCraig McLachlan – actor\, singer\, musician & songwriter from TV’s Ramsay Street to 1950’s Ballarat & across stages of the world\, Craig as Henry\, Doctor Blake\, Frank n Furter \, Doctor Zuko\, Ed\, Grant or simply as himself has entertained millions of people for over three decades. \n \nHis Successes include – The Doctor Blake Mysteries\, The Rocky Horror Show\, CSI Los Angles\, Packed To The Rafters\, McLeod’s Daughters\, Grease\, Bugs\, Catherine The Great\, Superfire\, Hating Alison Ashley\, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang\, City Homicide\, The Cut\, Special Ops\, Redfern Now\, Deep Water\, Restoration\, Home and Away\, Neighbour’s – the list goes on and continuous to grow. \nCraig is a Gold Logie\, Aria Winner\, Three Time Silver Logie and Helpmann Award Winner and has several Australian & UK Hit Singles to his name along with some very shiny Gold & Platinum Records he has yodeled with the Bee Gees while waiting to sing for The Queen ! Yes That Queen. ! \nSo join Craig & his snare smackin’ mate Dave\, as he takes you on a strange musical journey! Playing\, singin’\, riffin’ & chatting his way. \n \nGet tickets : $69.90 incl. gst\, booking fee.\nTickets can also be purchased at the Library. \n\nTickets\n\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/craig-mc-lachlan/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Live Music,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CRAIG-MCLACHLAN-SixStringStories_CM_Hero_draft2-Liam-Mudge.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T193000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250522T034400Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T001437Z UID:65063-1755712800-1755718200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Michael Robotham DESCRIPTION:August 20\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \n$11.78 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet Tickets\n \nThe White Crow \nMichael Robotham \n \nShe upholds the law. Her family breaks it. \n‘A twisty-turny\, second-guessing great read with a killer ending’ –\nHerald Sun for ‘When You Are Mine’ \nMichael Robotham\nBeloved character Police Constable Philomena McCarthy\, from When You Are Mine\, returns in a heart stopping thriller from the master of crime. \nAs the daughter of a London crime boss\, PC Philomena McCarthy walks a thin blue line keeping the two sides of her complicated life apart. \nOn patrol one night she discovers a child in pyjamas\, wandering alone. Taking Daisy home\, Phil uncovers the aftermath of a deadly home invasion\, as three miles away a prominent jeweller is found strapped to an explosive in his ransacked store. \nThe crimes are linked\, and all the evidence points to Phil’s father as the mastermind. Phil’s two worlds are colliding\, trapping her in the middle of a vicious gang war that will threaten her career and everyone she loves. \nWho can she trust – the badge or her own blood? \nThe White Crow | Michael Robotham\n\nAbout the author\nMichael Robotham is a former feature writer and investigative reporter\, who has worked in Britain\, Australia and America. His debut thriller\, The Suspect\, introduced clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin and sold over one million copies worldwide\, launching a nine-book series. It has been adapted into an ITV series starring Aidan Turner. Michael’s standalone thriller The Secrets She Keeps has also been the basis of two BBC TV series. He has twice won the prestigious UK Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger Award for best crime novel\, as well as the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for When She Was Good\, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Michael lives in Sydney.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nThis event will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n$11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. \n\nBook on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n\nGet Tickets\n\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/michael-robotham/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sq-promo-robotham.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250814T001943Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T002105Z UID:66976-1755716400-1755720000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:July 9\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace\nthrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community and\noffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.\nClasses include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our\ndaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)\ninfo@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589\nmeditateinballarat.org\nABN 86 114 195 550\nKMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \nThe Teacher\nChristielli Portela has been teaching modern Kadampa Buddhism for a decade. As an experienced and well-loved teacher\, she inspires people to use Buddhist meditation to improve their lives through her sincere example and clear teachings. \n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-20-august/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T170000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250714T045240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T044101Z UID:66222-1755957600-1755968400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Laura J Fitzwilson\, Book Launch - The Fool DESCRIPTION:August 23\n @\n2:00 pm\n –\n5:00 pm \nHeritage Reading Room \nThe Fool \nLaura J. Fitzwilson \n\n \nAfter his parents and brother are assassinated\, Leo is forced to become king of the smallest country on a continent that looks an awful lot like Australia. \nHe faces a kingdom on the brink of bankruptcy and a mistimed sneeze away from being drawn into a war; a murderous cult with a fixation on his family; and … the castle fool is like\, really mean. He better learn how to juggle\, fast. \nAbout Laura J Fitzwilson \n\n Laura J Fitzwilson\nLaura is a writer who specialises in speculative fiction with a focus on people. She was the chairperson of Ballarat Writers in 2023 and served on the committee for six years. \nHer short story “All My Tuesdays” was shortlisted for the 2022 Aurealis Awards. She’s queer\, disabled and wouldn’t want to be anyone else. It is her life’s aspiration to write as fearlessly as the Fast and Furious writers do. \nFollow Laura \n \n \n \n \nRSVP by Wednesday 20 August for catering purposes. \nLight refreshment will be provided. \n \n RSVP here\n \n\n \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/laura-j-fitzwilson/ LOCATION:Heritage Reading Room\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-laura-l-fitzwilson.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T230000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20241204T023112Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T025535Z UID:60476-1755979200-1755990000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Six String Blues - A Tribute To Blues Guitar DESCRIPTION:August 23\n@\n8:00 pm\n–\n11:00 pm \n$30.45 \n\nGet Tickets\n \nStep into the world of Six String Blues— from the melodies of Delta icons like Robert Johnson to the soul-stirring sounds of Chicago legends such as Muddy Waters\, and into the electrifying licks of modern maestros like Eric Clapton and John Mayer\, this show bridges generations of blues brilliance. \nMatt Arthur\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nOn stage\, Matt Arthur—backed by the talented Lazybones—delivers a performance that’s as moving as it is masterful. Through his soulful playing and captivating stage presence\, Matt brings the timeless legends of blues guitar to life\, blending nostalgia with fresh energy. \nThe show also highlights Matt’s personal journey with the blues. In 2024\, he released his latest album Then & Now\, a collection of original songs that explore his past and present. Drawing on the rich legacy of blues to shape his own voice\, Matt weaves selections from this album into the performance\, illustrating the profound influence the genre has had on his songwriting. \nMatt Arthur and Lazybones\n \n\nThis event is part of the Ballarat Blues Festival \n  \nGet tickets $30.45 plus bkg fees \n\nGet Tickets\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/sex-string-blues/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Blues Festival,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/square-promo-six-string-blues.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Matt Arthur Music":MAILTO:matt@mattarthurmusic.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T200000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250408T041557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T042601Z UID:64376-1756321200-1756324800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration DESCRIPTION:August 27\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace\nthrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community and\noffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.\nClasses include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve our\ndaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)\ninfo@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589\nmeditateinballarat.org\nABN 86 114 195 550\nKMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \nThe Teacher\nChristielli Portela has been teaching modern Kadampa Buddhism for a decade. As an experienced and well-loved teacher\, she inspires people to use Buddhist meditation to improve their lives through her sincere example and clear teachings. \n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-27-august-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promo-1.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250830T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250830T203000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250811T023940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T005435Z UID:66742-1756582200-1756585800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Melbourne Guitar Quartet DESCRIPTION:August 30\n@\n7:30 pm\n–\n8:30 pm \n$33 – $36.30 \nMinerva Space \n\nGet Tickets\n \nMelbourne Guitar Quartet (MGQ) \nExpanding the sound world of the classical guitar \nCelebrating two decades at the forefront of Australian chamber music\, the Melbourne Guitar Quartet has established itself as one of the country’s most distinctive and dynamic ensembles. Renowned for their rich\, orchestral sound and innovative arrangements\, MGQ brings a fresh perspective to guitar performance through their use of the full Guitar Family of instruments — including classical bass\, baritone\, standard\, treble\, and octave guitars. \nFormed in 2005\, MGQ has captivated audiences across Australia with their vibrant stage presence\, technical precision\, and artistic vision. Their repertoire spans everything from reimagined classics to contemporary works\, often enhanced by subtle percussion textures. As one of only two quartets in the country dedicated to this idiom\, MGQ continues to redefine what’s possible within the guitar ensemble tradition. \nThe group has released four critically acclaimed albums: \nFour Elements (2008) \nToccata (2010)\, launched to a sold-out audience at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival \nIn Colour (2014)\, a thematic exploration of Spanish and impressionistic repertoire \nBlood Oath (2020)\, featuring works by Arvo Pärt\, Robert Davidson\, Philip Glass\, and Pēteris Vasks. \nTheir interpretations have drawn praise from leading composers and performers: \n“I rediscovered my music… under your fingers.”\n— Francis Kleynjans \n“Rhythmic vitality and a groove that would put many percussion ensembles to shame.”\n— Nigel Westlake \n“Exactly what the classical guitar world needs.”\n— Slava Grigoryan \nMGQ’s mission is simple: to bring the sound of the guitar quartet to new audiences\, through bold programming\, refined musicianship\, and a commitment to musical excellence. \nThe Program \nFratres – Arvo Part\nWinter in the Forgotten Valley – Nigel Westlake\nMishima – Philip Glass\nOpals – Phillip Houghton \n \nThis performance is part of a special fundraising effort to suport the Melbourne Guitar Quartet’s upcoming international tour in 2026 \nThe tour will include performances across the USA\, as well as featured appearances at the Seattle\, Liverpool\, and Sydney Guitar Festivals. All funds raised will go directly toward covering essential tour costs\, including international travel\, visa processing\, and accommodation expenses. \nThe Musicians \n \nCurent Members \nDan McKay – Sophie Marcheff – Benjamin Dix – Rose Gonzalez \nMGQ proudly performs on Hannabach strings and gratefully acknowledges the support of Hannabach GmbH and Payton’s Music. \nTickets \nGeneral Admission $36.30 | Group discount for a block of 4 or more tickets (ages 8 plus) $33 includes gst\, booking fee additional. Tickets not available from the Library Box Office. \n\nGet tickets\n\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/melbourne-guitar-quartet/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Classical Music,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Concerts Australia":MAILTO:michael@concertsaustralia.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250831T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250831T140000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250722T023048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T030553Z UID:66327-1756645200-1756648800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:A Poet's Guide to Love and Loss | A Ballarat Arts Foundation fundraiser featuring tenor Douglas Kelly DESCRIPTION:August 31\n@\n1:00 pm\n–\n2:00 pm \n$20 – $39 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet Tickets\n \nA Poet’s Guide to Love and Loss \nJoin us for an intimate afternoon of beautiful music featuring critically acclaimed tenor Douglas Kelly and pianist Tom Griffiths at the Ballarat Arts Foundation’s annual fundraiser. \nHear a moving program of songs by Schumann\, Barber and Butterworth exploring themes of love\, loss and longing. \nDouglas Kelly\, recipient of Victorian Opera’s 2024 Opera Prize (supported by Michael Stubbs and Malcolm Roberts)\, recently captivated audiences in Mansfield Park at Her Majesty’s Theatre and received a Green Room Award for his performance in Puccini’s La Rondine. \nDon’t miss your chance to experience one of Australia’s most exciting young voices and raise crucial funds in support of Ballarat Arts Foundation. \nThe Program \n⦁ Schumann: Dichterliebe (A Poet’s Love)\n⦁ Barber: Selected Songs\n⦁ Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad \nThis event forms part of Victorian Opera’s Ballarat Opera Festival. \nDuration – 60 minutes \nDouglas Kelly\, Tenor | Photo: Charlie Kinross\nBallarat Arts Foundation \nFor 25 years\, the Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF) has worked in partnership with the community for the purpose of enriching the creative life and cultural future of Ballarat. \nOur annual awards and grants program gives critical financial support to local artists to help them take the next step in their career. We present performance opportunities\, exhibitions\, workshops\, and masterclasses throughout the year with\, and for\, our alumni\, and the community to raise funds and share artistic expertise that enlivens our culture. Through high-profile events and activities\, Ballarat Arts Foundation also contributes to the growth of a sustainable arts industry in Ballarat. \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nVictorian Opera \nVictorian Opera is the state opera company of Victoria. Your state company. We make creative\, accessible and relevant work for everyone while acknowledging the traditions and evolving our artform. \nSince the company was founded in October 2005\, Victorian Opera has entertained hundreds of thousands of people with our imaginative approach to opera and musical theatre. Each year\, we premiere at least one new Australian opera and have commissioned 32 new works since our formation. \nRecognised for our unique contribution to the country’s operatic landscape\, Victorian Opera proudly became an Australian Major Performing Arts company in 2019\, and transitioned to the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework in 2021. \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nTickets – Adult $39 – Concession $35 – Senior $37 – 30yrs & Under $30- Child (14yrs & Under) $20. \nTickets not able to be purchased in the Library for this event \n\nGet Tickets\n \n\nThis event is part of the Ballarat Opera Festival\n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/a-poets-guide-to-love-and-loss/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Live Music,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/victorian-opera-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250901T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250901T193000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250711T023001Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T001637Z UID:66163-1756749600-1756755000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Gabriel Bergmoser DESCRIPTION:September 1\n @\n6:00 pm\n –\n7:30 pm \n\n$11.78 \nHumffray Room \n \n Get Tickets\n \nHigh Rise \nGabriel Bergmoser \n \n‘An expertly executed shot of adrenaline’ – Laura McCluskey \n‘Grabs you by the throat and hurls you striaght into the action – Brutally good fun’ – Michael Trant \nBestselling author Gabriel Bergmoser returns with his most electrifying novel yet\, High Rise – an adrenaline charged\, heart-stopping\, action-packed masterpiece that blends gritty realism with razor-sharp storytelling. Think Die Hard meets The Raid\, with a darkly humourus\, wildly entertaining and uniquely Australian edge. \nAfter captivating readers with bestsellers like The Hunted (currently being adapted into a film starring Abbey Lee\, Toby Wallace\, and Eliza Scanlen) and The Caretaker\, Gabe has established himself as a dynamic storyteller with a knack for gripping\, cinematic thrillers. Known for crafting fast-paced plots\, layered characters and explosions of raw emotion and action\, High Rise takes his signature style to the next level. \nThe story follows estranged father and ex-cop Jack Carlin as he tracks his rebellious daughter Morgan to the top floor of a crumbling Melbourne high-rise. But Morgan isn’t looking to be saved\, and Jack’s dark past has drawn dangerous enemies. With a bounty on his head\, they become trapped in a deadly fight for survival with an onslaught of ruthless gang members and bounty hunters swarming the building. \nWhat unfolds is an unrelenting battle as Jack and Morgan fight through fifteen floors of chaos\, facing brutal enemies and their own fractured relationship. Amid the carnage\, they must confront their past and rediscover the bond that might be their greatest chance of survival. Fast-paced with electrifying tension\, High Rise delivers gritty action and emotional stakes in equal measure. \nHigh Rise is more than just a survival story; it’s a gripping portrayal of loyalty\, redemption and the fragile ties that bind us. Gabriel Bergmoser once again proves his unparalleled flare to thrill\, move\, and cement his reputation as a master in modern suspense. \n\n \nAbout the author\n\n Gabriel Bergmoser\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nGabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. He won the prestigious Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award in 2015\, was nominated for the 2017 Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing and went on to win several awards at the 2017 VDL One Act Play Festival circuit. In 2016 his first young adult novel\, Boone Shepard\, was shortlisted for the Readings Young Adult Prize. His first novel for adults\, The Hunted (2020)\, became a bestseller and a film adaptation is currently in development. Since then he has published the thrillers The Inheritance (2021) and The Caretaker (2023)\, along with the YA coming-of-age novel The True Colour of a Little White Lie (2021) and the middle-grade adventure Andromache Between Worlds (2024). \nWhy not pick up a copy of the following from our library \n\n The Caretaker | Gabriel Bergmoser\n\n The Hitchhiker | Gabriel Bergmoser\n\n The Inheritance | Gabriel Bergmoser\n\n The Hunted | Gabriel Bergmoser\n\n \nGabriel will be in conversation with Tim Constantine \n\n Tim Constantine\nThis event will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n$11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. \nBook on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/gabriel-bergmoser/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gabriel-bergmoser-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250903T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250903T183000 DTSTAMP:20260413T153815 CREATED:20250728T035749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T031406Z UID:66371-1756920600-1756924200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 3\, Spring Season | Ballarat's Henry Lawson\, Unknown facts presented by Hedley Thomson DESCRIPTION:September 3\n @\n5:30 pm\n –\n6:30 pm \nBar open at 5pm \n\n$9.73 – $13.83 \nHumffray Room \n \n Get tickets\n \nBallarat’s Henry Lawson\, Unknown facts presented by Hedley Thomson \nThe young Henry visited Ballarat\, specifically to ‘bone up’ on the happenings at Eureka on Sunday 3rd December 1854; he proceeded to write numerous poems and prose pieces about the ‘battle’ and – more so – the effects of its outcome on the developing Australian national identity; that many of his pieces mention Ballarat in the same context. \nAs with so many of our iconic personalities across our history\, there’s much that is not well-known about their lives and achievements. Henry Lawson is a case in point\, with the special appeal that in 1889\, as a twenty two-year old\, he actually came to Ballarat and that the visit materially affected his subsequent writings over the course of his nearly forty-year career. \nTo help make up for that deficiency\, as the first of the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute’s Spring 2025 ‘Twilight Talks’\, Hedley Thomson – local actor and a big Lawson fan – will be presenting a talk on Lawson’s time in Ballarat\, which will include performances of several of the more notable pieces (both poetry and prose) that Lawson was inspired to write following his Ballarat visit. \n \nSpeaker: Hedley Thomson \n\n Hedley Thomson | Former Environmental Manager\, City of Ballarat\nHedley Thomson \n‘I’ve spent 35 of my 70 years in Ballarat\, having been raised in suburban Melbourne and holidayed and worked on the Mornington Peninsula\, where I also met my wife\, Christine\, and started raising our family of three excellent daughters. My work has been in the fields of land use\, environmental\, strategic and corporate planning\, principally in local government\, but also with stints in State\, regional\, private and community organisations. Throughout my life I’ve had an interest in regional Australia\, in theatre – especially performing – and\, developing from not much to a near obsession (in all the right ways)\, in Henry Lawson. \nComing to Ballarat\, which I/the family did in 1988\, has enabled me to indulge all three interests; e.g.: the Rosebud Memorial Hall was OK for the occasional play but I never counted on a venue as wonderful as Her Majesty’s Theatre\, being part of Fred Fargher-directed musicals\, and being on stage with my children in ballet performances at Royal South Street Society competitions (I like to demuse people by boasting that I have a ‘first’ in ballet from those comps – as ‘the male’ in a winning troupe). \nAs far as Henry Lawson is concerned\, like many of us growing up\, I knew of his well-known pieces such as The Loaded Dog and The Drover’s Wife but little else. I’d scanned through a few selections of his works but – like many people\, I think – I found them a bit too serious; ‘Banjo’ Patterson was certainly the more popular writer. Then\, in the 1980s\, I happened to buy what became the very popular two-volume complete works of Lawson\, compiled by Leonard Cronin (I also bought a similar two-volume job of A.B. ‘Banjo’ Patterson’s works that came out around the same time); once I started reading\, I was hooked. I discovered he wrote about everything\, in almost every possible style\, with humour\, with pathos\, with serious analysis of the topic chosen\, with prophetic intent. This clearly was/is no ‘bush poet’. I found – like all great writers – that his truths\, his observations\, his descriptions of human foibles and failings\, the brilliance of his verbal descriptions of the settings of his pieces stand the test of time; that is why I am so infatuated with his work. And that it is of Australia; palpably of this country\, including when he writes of our indigenous peoples (with whom he frequently had amicable dealings\, despite the views of some commentators). \nTo find that Lawson visited Ballarat in 1887\, following which he wrote a number of pieces about that seminal event in modern Australian history – the Eureka rising\, has enabled me to make a connection between my passion for his writings\, my place of residence and my long-time involvement with theatre/performance. During 2022 – the 100th anniversary year of Lawson’s death – a trio of us performed various of Lawson’s works to community group audiences. Now the BMI has provided me with the opportunity to focus on Ballarat’s Henry Lawson and to highlight the effect that the young Henry’s visit had on his writings.’ \nCommunity Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \nThis event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong\n \n \nTickets and Bookings \nTickets $9.73 BMI members & $13.83 general admittance\, includes gst & bkg fee. \n \n Get tickets\n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks\n \n \nThis event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-henry-lawson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-2025.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR