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  • Featured

    Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham

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

    November 5 @ 7:15 pm - 8:00 pm Free Minerva Space Get Tickets Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi In conversation 2025 Stella shortlisted […]

    Free

  • In Conversation with Rachael Johns

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

    November 6 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Lucky SistersRachael Johns The breakout blockbuster of the year - a deeply moving novel about life, death and the miracles in between, by the award-winning author of The Patterson Girls. The Lucky Sisters...Will their luck run out... What would you do if […]

    $11.78
  • Featured

    Crafting Conversation: The Artists Edition

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

    November 12 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm $25 – $35 Humffray Room Session begins at 5:30pm Get Tickets Crafting Conversation A Panel Series for Makers in Business Real talk - Generous insight - A creative space to learn, reflect and connect Artist Panel: Travis Price, Ben Sanders & Spencer Harrison Our second edition moves across to […]

    $25 – $35

  • Kadampa Meditation Series | How to solve our human problems

    Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

    October 22 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $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 […]

    Free – $12
  • Featured

    Ballarat Film Society | ​Hammarskjöld: The Fight for Peace

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

    November 13 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Compelling Cold War Political Thriller In 1961, the charismatic Swedish diplomat, economist and implacable idealist Dag Hammarskjöld was in his seventh year as Secretary-General of the United Nations. By some, he was considered the ‘clearest thinker in the room,’ but by others as the victim of a […]

  • Featured

    Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

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

    November 15 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage […]

    $27.50
  • guides dressed in period costum
    Featured

    Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

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

    October 31 @ 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage […]

    $27.50

  • In Conversation with Margaret Hickey

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

    November 18 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets An Ill Wind Margaret Hickey A Small Town Divided - Secrets Are Blown Apart Author of Cutters End and Stone Town High on a hill above the small fictional Victorian town of Carrabeen, 300 wind turbines constantly spin. All except for one, now […]

    $11.78
  • Featured

    Twilight Talks 2025, Season 5, Recent Years | Ballarat’s Her Majesty’s Reinvention, Presented by Richard Nicholson

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

    November 19 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Her Majesty's Reinvention This talk will examine the recent renovation of Her Majesty's Theatre and explore the challenges, rewards and outcomes for the community that accompany transformational change to a treasured Heritage Building in the heart […]

    $9.73 – $13.83

  • Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations on the Mind: How to Create Mental Space

    Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

    November 19 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 Lending Library, ground floor 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 […]

    Free – $12
  • Featured

    Ben Knight: The Parent Teacher Interview

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

    November 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm $35 Minerva Space Presented by KEG Touring Get Tickets Ever wondered what teachers really think about you? Your kids and the education system? Come along to: The Parent Teacher Night You will enjoy an hour of brutally honest comedy, hosted by teacher Ben Knight. Ben is a […]

    $35
  • Featured

    Open Garden & Devonshire Tea – BMI Fundraiser | Errard Hall

    Errard Hall Errard Street North, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

    Get Tickets November 22 @ 10:00 am - November 23 @ 4:00 pm $27.50 plus bkg. fee Errard Hall, 5 Errard Street North, Ballarat Central Take part in this important BMI fundraiser Open Garden and Devonshire Tea at Errard Hall - BMI Fundriaser   Errard Hall was built in 1902. Built in the grand Victorian style, […]

    $27.50
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Guides in period costume

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Night Tours

Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov

& Fri 12 Dec
 

Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm. 

Get Tickets

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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Tax Deductible 

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

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

 
Give Now >

 

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.
electronic noticeboard calendar HALF PRICE
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Purchase yours now
Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

BMI Fundraiser tickets here
Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May. 

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Spring Season, History Talks:

Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm. 

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Get Tickets

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

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Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets
More information
portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

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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. 

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portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm. 

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with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm. 

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Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm. 

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Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025. 

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Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

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Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

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 Coming in November…

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

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with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm. 

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Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm. 

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Raise a Glass for Brass. 

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm. 

Get Tickets

 Coming soon…

Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.

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 Coming soon…

Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns

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Get Tickets

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

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Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm. 

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Get Tickets

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing

find out more