October 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets When Sullivan Met Lola Monica McInerney The eagerly awaited new novel by beloved Australian author Monica McInerney. Lola Quinlan is eighty-six. If her time on earth is running out, she’s not leaving quietly. Against the wishes of her family in South Australia, she’s flying solo to Melbourne for a week. They…
October 8 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Minerva Room Dustbowl Folk Singer Elegy Folk legend Woody Guthrie, an extraordinary hard-driving, ‘truth-telling man’ from the Oklahoma Plains, who left the American mid-west Dust Bowl in the 1930s for the promise of California and on his journey became one of America’s most noted poet-folk singers. Guthrie, through years of travelling, penned more than 1000…
October 9 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm $40 – $49 Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute Get Tickets Telegraph Road — The Dire Straits Legacy. A celebration of the legendary British rock band known for their clean guitar tone, understated style, and poetic storytelling. "Matt Arthur, an expressive vocalist and blues guitarist from Central West NSW, leads The Lazybones—a five-piece group drawing on decades of musical experience. Following…
November 25 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm $9 – $13 Humffray Room Get Tickets Create Better Health by Understanding the Language of Your Body: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science & the Microbiome Connection. Speaker: Dr Meredith O'Loughlan MAppSc(Res), BAppSc(HB), BAppSc(CM), BSW, ACNEM The Language of your body Neurobiome Wheel Inner circle: regulatory domains Outer circle: biopatterns The Neurobiome Wheel is a simple framework that helps decode the…
December 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm [event-location] Further Adventures of Smiley Our screening of Smiley (1956) two years ago was popular with film society members. In this sequel, Smiley is a young Aussie upstart and cheeky home-grown hero, who sets out to turn over a new leaf and become a ‘responsible citizen’ after his past misadventures. Sergeant Flaxman (Chips Rafferty) keeps a keen…
December 12 @ 10:00 am - December 13 @ 2:00 pm Free Books priced from $5 - more for collectable items. The perfect gift for every bookworm! The BMI Library's Book Sale is your chance to find a wonderful read at a great price. 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…
01/05/2027 @ 10:00 am - 02/05/2027 @ 2:00 pm Free Books priced from $5 - more for collectable items. Discover hidden treasures at The BMI Library Book Sale! Browse through a wonderful collection of books and more this autumn season. 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 -…
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
