BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.18//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 BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251126T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251126T183000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250728T055539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T233614Z UID:66413-1764178200-1764181800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 5\, Recent Years | Ballarat Arts Foundation: 25 Years Old\, Presented by Paula Nicholson DESCRIPTION:November 26\n@\n5:30 pm\n–\n6:30 pm \nBar open at 5pm \n$9.73 – $13.83 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet tickets\n \nBallarat Arts Foundation: 25 Years Old \n\nThe Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF) has been supporting the emerging artists of Ballarat for 25 years. The Foundation is completely community funded and supports artists from any genre\, with an alumni group numbering over 500 artists who have lived\, worked or studied locally. This talk will examine the work of the Foundation\, the achievements of its alumni\, what the support of BAF and the wider community means to an emerging artist. \nSpeaker: Paula Nicholson \nPaula Nicholson has always had a keen interest in performing arts. She studied singing\, piano and music theory throughout her education\, has been involved in musical theatre and has performed with bands and in duos. After obtaining a degree in science\, her career took her into customer service management and human resources. Through voluntary community based activity\, she gained extensive experience in fundraising\, event management and community engagement. She enjoys using her skills to contribute to the local community as a member of various boards and committees of not-for-profit organisations. Paula believes her membership and Chairmanship (since 2013) of the Ballarat Arts Foundation Board allows her to encourage the broader community to be involved with the local arts community to help artists to launch their careers\, and in turn\, enjoy the rewards that the arts offer. Paula will be joined by alumni of the Arts Foundation in this the 25th anniversary year of the organization to examine the impact of this community funded body as it supports emerging artists with a connection to Ballarat and in turn enriches the wider community. \n\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\nGet tickets\n\n\n \n\nMore 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/ballarat-arts-foundation/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-2025-ballarat-arts-foundation.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251126T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251126T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250917T031231Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T031337Z UID:67356-1764183600-1764187200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations on the Mind: How to Create Mental Space DESCRIPTION:November 19\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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-26-nov-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Med_on_mind_Sq.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251128T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251128T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250408T004608Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T031528Z UID:64310-1764360000-1764365400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Akmal | Live Comedy at the BMI DESCRIPTION:November 28\n@\n8:00 pm\n–\n9:30 pm \n$56.76 – $62.40 \nMinerva Space \n\nGet Tickets\n \nAKmal\nAkmal returns with a smash-hit tour after a spiritual journey to India to find himself. Unfortunately\, when he got there\, he couldn’t find himself anywhere\, after all India is a big place… \nOn his return to Australia\, he was pleased to discover he had been here the entire time. This has absolutely nothing to do with his upcoming show\, and he’s sorry he mentioned it. \nStand-up\, movies\, sketch\, TV appearances\, radio DJ\, talk show host and a published author\, Akmal is one of Australia’s most respected\, successful and accomplished comics. \nLightning quick and a master of unscripted comedy gold\, Akmal has an incredible ability to deal with hot topics in an hilarious and slightly offensive way. \nAs Seen on Thank God You’re Here\, Have You Been Paying Attention?\, Just For Laughs and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.\n‘Akmal’s strength is his stream-of-consciousness ramblings and his interaction with the audience.’ The Age \n‘Akmal is an explosion of laughter and entertainment.’ Telegraph Mirror \n \nFollow AKMAL\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nEnquiries:  Any event specific enquires should be direct to venue@ballaratmi.org.au \nPrice: $56.76 – $62.40 includes gst & booking fee. \nRestricted 15+\, no babes in arms permitted \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/akmal/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/promo-square-akmal.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251129T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251129T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250714T024250Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T025904Z UID:66208-1764446400-1764451800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Daniel Muggleton: You Might Be White\, I May Be Crazy DESCRIPTION:Presented by A-List Entertainment \n November 29\n @\n8:00 pm\n –\n9:30 pm \n\n$36.84 – $39.96 \nMinerva Space \n \n Get Tickets\n \nYou May Be White\, I May Be Crazy \nDaniel Muggleton is an Australian comedian in a tracksuit. \nHis live shows frequently sell-out at comedy festivals around the world\, have earned him numerous five-star reviews and a couple of industry awards. \nDaniel’s comedy specials White & Wrong and Let’s Never Hang Out have aired on Channel 7\, Amazon Prime and ABC TV. He’s also been hand-picked to support Steve Hofstetter\, Jim Jefferies and Ismo on tour\, and was invited to perform at Just For Laughs in 2023. Through a combination of red hot word-of-mouth and viral stand-up clips\, Daniel has become one of the most in-demand live acts in Australia. \nDaniel is also one of the hosts of ‘Flog Cabin’ which is a comedy podcast you should start listening to immediately. \n‘A foul-mouthed prophet.’ ★★★★★ Adelaide Advertiser \n‘Will have you laughing and then hating yourself for it.’ ★★★★½ HiFi Way  \n‘Thought-provoking\, immensely uncomfortable and hilarious.’ ★★★★ The Clothesline \n‘Not a 6pm comedian.’ ★★★★ The Age \n‘A genuinely exciting talent.’ ★★★★ Chortle (UK) \n‘A comedian with something special.’ ★★★★★ Weekend Notes \n‘Muggleton delivers the goods.’ ★★★★★ ArtsHub \n \nA quick note from Daniel:  \n“Hello\, I’m Daniel Muggleton\, I’m the guy. I just wanted to let you know that unlike previous years there’s a chance this show is about something. If I had to choose a word to describe what that is I’d say ‘family’ but remember\, the Fast & Furious franchise is also about family so there’s an equal chance this show is about street racing or about me finally becoming a father. Cheers.”  \nFollow Daniel; \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEnquiries:  Any event specific enquires should be direct to venue@ballaratmi.org.au \nPrice: $39.96 – $36.84 for bookings of  6 or more\, includes gst & booking fee. \nRestricted 15+\, no babes in arms permitted \n \n Get 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/daniel-muggleton/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-daniel-muggleton.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251202T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251202T193000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251113T001614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T003410Z UID:68682-1764698400-1764703800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with William McInnes DESCRIPTION:December 2\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \n$11.78 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet Tickets\n \nIt’s a Scorcher: Tales of the Australian Summer \nWilliam McInnes \n \nJoin actor and bestselling author William McInnes in conversation to talk all about his new book It’s a Scorcher: Tales of the Australian Summer – a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about those magical\, roastingly hot summer months. \nThere is something about long\, hot summer days that stirs our emotions. It’s all about holidays\, festivals\, family and Christmas; a time for swimming\, a hit of backyard cricket or firing up the barbie. It’s the deafening sound of cicadas\, the ticking of a backyard sprinkler\, the pain of a wayward bindi or the sting of sunburnt shoulders. \nIn this collection of nostalgic stories that will make you laugh and make you cry\, William McInnes recalls moments in time and memories of summers past. He takes us back to the energy-sapping heat of Redcliffe in the 1960s and 70s\, ruminates on budgie smugglers\, remembers holiday road trips that went on forever and epic Boxing Day Tests that stopped fans in their tracks. This is a book about the Australia we are and the Australia we were – and the magic of those boiling-hot days when you wake up and know . . . it’s going to be a scorcher! \n \nAbout the author\n\nWilliam McInnes is one of Australia’s most popular writers and actors. His books include the bestselling memoirs A Man’s Got to Have a Hobby and That’d Be Right. In 2012 his book Worse Things Happen at Sea\, co-written with his wife\, Sarah Watt\, was named the best non-fiction title in the ABIA and Indie Awards. \n Also an award-winning actor and best known for his leading roles in Blue Heelers\, SeaChange\, Total Control\, NCIS Sydney and The Newsreader\, William has won two Logies and two AFI/AACTA Awards for Best Actor in the film Unfinished Sky and Best Supporting Actor in The Newsreader. \nWilliam grew up in Queensland and lives in Melbourne. \nWilliam will also be signing copies of the book which will be available to purchase. \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/william-mcinnes/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/william-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251203T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251203T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250917T031355Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T031513Z UID:67359-1764788400-1764792000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations on the Mind: How to Create Mental Space DESCRIPTION:November 19\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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-3-dec-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Med_on_mind_Sq.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251206T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251206T140000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251110T024632Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251128T005707Z UID:68436-1765015200-1765029600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Christmas Book Sale DESCRIPTION:December 6\n @\n10:00 am\n –\n2:00 pm \n\nFree \nLending Library \n \nDon’t miss our book sale this weekend. \nAdmission 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 – and many start at $5. And it’s not just books – there are  DVDs\, photo prints from our image collection and more! \nAll proceeds are help to support our Library programs. \nBook Donations. \nWe now have enough book donations for this summer’s sale – Thank you to all of you who have supported the event this year.  \nLibrary Operating Hours. \nMonday\, Wednesday & Friday – 10am to 4pm \nTuesday & Thursday – 10am to 3pm \nSaturday – 9.30am to 12noon. \nBMI Christmas Market on Sunday 7 December. \nDon’t forget our Christmas Market will be on the Sunday\, all your Christmas shopping in one location. \n\nThe Ballarat Imaginarium – Open\, Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 3pm\nHomeground Cafe – Open\, Saturday & Sunday from 10am – 3pm\nHughes Gallery – Open\, Saturday from 10am to 2pm\nWomen of the Well – Open Saturday from 10am to 5pm\n\n \n\n Ballarat Imaginarium\n\n Peter Swaddle | Hughes Gallery\n\n Homeground Tea Room\n\n Women of the Well\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/bmi-christmas-book-sale/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Market ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/book-sale-square-promo-christmas-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251207T090000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251207T140000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251110T010546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251203T043313Z UID:68424-1765098000-1765116000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Christmas Market DESCRIPTION:December 7\n @\n9:00 am\n –\n2:00 pm \n\nFree \nMinerva Space \n \nCome along and experience our Christmas Market & Book Sale just in time for the Festive Season \nFREE ENTRY \n \n Our Stallholders\n \nBook Sale \nWe will also be hosting a book sale in the Library on Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December. These books have been donated to the BMI by members and the Ballarat community to assist in raising funds for Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution.  \nPrices range from $5 to $10 | Some collectable books will also be on sale\, these will be priced individually. \nCalling for pre-loved books \nWe now have enough stock for this Summer’s sale. Thank you to everyone who has supported our sales this year. \nWe can take delivery during regular Library Operating Hours: \n\n10am – 4pm | Monday\, Wednesday \, & Friday\n10am – 3pm | Tuesday & Thursday\n9.30am – 12noon on Saturday\n\n \nTo assist with your Christmas shopping\, also open in our shopping precinct will be: \n\nThe Ballarat Imaginarium – Open\, Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 3pm\nHomeground Cafe – Open\, Saturday & Sunday from 10am – 3pm\nHughes Gallery – Open\, Saturday from 10am to 2pm\nWomen of the Well – Open Saturday from 10am to 5pm\n\n\n Ballarat Imaginarium\n\n Peter Swaddle | Hughes Gallery\n\n Homeground Tea Room\n\n Women of the Well\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/bmi-christmas-market/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art programs,Christmas,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Market ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/square-promo-christmas-market-calling-for-stallholders-v5-final-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251210T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251210T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250917T031528Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T031619Z UID:67361-1765393200-1765396800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations on the Mind: How to Create Mental Space DESCRIPTION:November 19\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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-10-dec-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Med_on_mind_Sq.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251211T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251211T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250212T034546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T110602Z UID:62004-1765481400-1765486800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | ​Little Richard: I am Everything DESCRIPTION:December 11\n@\n7:30 pm\n–\n9:00 pm \nMusical Doco\n \n‘The south is the home of all things queer\,’ says scholar Zandria Robinson as we witness the exhilarating jam-packed story of Little Richard’s complex life and musical career\, ending only in 2020. \nBorn in 1932 as Richard Wayne Penniman\, by 1955 Little Richard was declared a world rock ‘n’ roll star with his hit “Tutti Frutti.” \nRaised on gospel music\, experimenting with drag\, and drenched with musical talent\, he went on to win award after award and reach global stardom. \nInterestingly enough\, on an Australian tour in 1957\, when his plane from Melbourne to Sydney experienced difficulty\, he saw a bright red fireball\, coinciding with the launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik. He cancelled his last two concerts\, renounced rock’n’roll\, and declared he was returning to the US to repent and be baptized! \nAn enlightening film which will fill in the ‘gaps’ about his turbulent life and his undisputable influence. Amalgamated. \nUSA\, 2023\, 98 min. \nDir: Lisa Cortés and starring Little Richard. \nBallarat Film Society \n  \nMembership \n12 months – Feb-December: $60\nFeb-July: $35 – July-Dec: $30 \nTo join or renew your membership\, please e-mail or phone Angus McLachlan (5374 2474)\, or come with cash on the night. \nMembership can be paid by bank transfer or with cash. \nFor film enquiries\, phone Sue Nunn: 5341 2266 or visit the  Ballarat Film Society website \nAll films are subject to availability. If there is no next film shown below it means the BFS is working on next season’s programme. \nMore Film\n8 events found. \n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\nToday\n \nUpcoming\nUpcoming\n \n\nSelect date. \n \n\n\n\n \nFeb\n13 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | KNEECAP \n\n\n\n \nMar\n13 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | The Movie Teller \n\n\n\n \nApr\n10 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | Red Rocket \n\n\n\n \nMay\n8 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | Bicycle Thieves \n\n\n\n \nJun\n12 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | La Chimera \n\n\n\n \nSep\n11 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | Goodbye Julia \n\n\n\n \nNov\n13 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | ​Hammarskjöld: The Fight for Peace \n\n\n\n \nDec\n11 \n  \nFeatured \n7:30 pm\n– \n9:00 pm \n\nBallarat Film Society | ​Hammarskjöld: The Fight for Peace Copy \n\n\n\nPrevious Events\n\nToday \n\nNext Events \n\n\n\nSubscribe to calendar \n\n\nGoogle Calendar \n\niCalendar \n\nOutlook 365 \n\nOutlook Live \n\nExport .ics file \n\nExport Outlook .ics file \n\nBMI news\n \n\nNewsletter – February 2025\n\nA Message from the Chair… \n\n \n\nNewsletter – January 2025\n\nA Message from the Chair… \n\n \n\nRosemary’s Book of the Week\n\nThe Mystery of Haverford House Rachel Burton. A Mystery that… \n\n \n\nRosemary’s Book of the Week\n\nDead Man’s Shoes Marion Todd. A Master of the Tartan… \n\n\nLoad More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-little-richard/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/sqaure-promo-bfs5.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251212T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251212T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20250923T045702Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T051149Z UID:67545-1765566000-1765569600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour DESCRIPTION:October 31\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \n$27.50 \nMeet at the BMI entrance  \n\nGet Tickets\n \nExplore 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! \nThis beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a fascinating history that is just waiting to be explored. During these tours\, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute\, exploring the library’s impressive collection of rare books and manuscripts\, and learn about the building’s original purpose as a hub for scientific and technological education. And make sure to check out the basement\, which is steeped in mystery and intrigue – you never know what secrets you might uncover! \nKatrina Hill & Tim Harris | Photo: Jess Schroeter\nWhether you’re a local looking to discover more about your city’s history\, or a visitor seeking a unique and memorable experience\, the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours are not to be missed. \nLed by expert guides who are passionate about the building’s history\, these tours will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of Ballarat. Book your tickets today and get ready to step back in time! \nThe tours have a small capacity\, and therefore\, numbers are limited. \nGroup bookings are available – please contact our Tours Coordinator – Katrina Hill \nNote | Accessibility \nMost of this tour is wheelchair accessible\, however the tour does include entry into the BMI Basement\, which is not wheelchair accessible. The tour does involve stairs\, however a lift is available throughout (except to the basement). This tour is not Auslan interpreted\, and the guide does not use any amplification system. Tour groups will enter dimly lit areas of the building under supervision of the guide. \nBMI Accessibility information can be found at https://ballaratmi.org.au/accessibility \nCost / Bookings:  $28.69 includes gst & booking fee \n\nGet Tickets\n\n \nMore Tours\n \nThe research material for your tour has been drawn from – Under Minerva’s Gaze: 150 years at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (edited by Jill Blee and Phil Roberts). \nThis reference material is available for purchase at the Library or can be purchased via our Shop. \n\nUnder Minerva’s Gaze\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/minervas-secrets-night-tours-12-dec-25/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Night Tours,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251213T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251213T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251021T225043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T032321Z UID:68162-1765656000-1765661400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Christmas Comedy Gala at BMI DESCRIPTION:December 13\n @\n8:00 pm\n –\n9:30 pm \n\n$45 \nMinerva Space \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \nChristmas Holiday Gala \nGet ready to sleigh this festive season with three of Australia’s sharpest comedic minds in one unmissable night of stand-up mayhem! \n \nBrett Blake \nBrett Blake brings his trademark mullet-powered chaos and high-octane storytelling that’ll have you laughing so hard you’ll spill your eggnog. \nKirsty Webeck \nKirsty Webeck – The reigning champion of cheerful comedy\, delivers joyful punchlines and feel-good hilarity that’ll warm your heart faster than a Christmas pudding in July. \nSimon Taylor \nSimon Taylor – The smooth operator with razor-sharp wit\, rounds out the trio with clever charm and tales that’ll make even the Grinch crack a smile. \nWhether you’ve been naughty or nice\, this show is your ticket to a night of festive fun\, absurd anecdotes\, and belly laughs that’ll echo into the New Year. So grab your mates\, don your ugliest Christmas jumper\, and come celebrate the season with the comedy dream team. \nOne night only. All cheer\, no chill. Let’s make spirits bright – with laughter! \nPrice: $45 plus bkg fee. \nRestricted 15+\, no babes in arms permitted \n \n Get 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/christmas-comedy-gala/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sq-promo-comedy-gala.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260110T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260110T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251209T021738Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T041541Z UID:69434-1768050000-1768060800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Artistanbul: Create your own Turkish Mosaic Lamp DESCRIPTION:January 10\n @\n1:00 pm\n –\n4:00 pm \n\n$59 – $129 \nHumffray Room \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \nDIY Workshop | Turkish Mosaic Lamp \nBring colour\, light\, and creativity together in this hands-on Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop hosted by ArtIstanbul\, right in the heart of Ballarat. \nGuided by our friendly instructors\, you’ll design and build your very own mosaic lamp using pre-cut glass and low-fume adhesive – no cutting or grouting required. Perfect for beginners and all skill levels! \nEach guest will take home a stunning\, fully functional lamp and a take-home grout kit for finishing touches once dry. \nChoose Your Lamp Style:• Candle Holder – $59• Table Lamp (Botti) – $109• Swan Lamp – $129 \n Optional Add-ons:Take home your own DIY Lamp Kit (25% off retail) or browse our pop-up store featuring jewellery\, ceramics and finished lamps.All materials\, bulbs\, aprons\, and gloves are included – just bring your creativity! \nWhat’s Included:All materials & tools | Step-by-step instruction | Take-home grout kit | Retail pop-up access \nPlease arrive 10–15 minutes early to collect your lamp base and get settled. \nQueries M: 0410 052 134 \n \n Get 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/art-istanbul-workshop/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Art programs,Christmas,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Market ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sq-promo-art-instanbul.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260112T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260112T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20241217T012501Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T010209Z UID:60743-1768240800-1768244400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Festival of Organ and Fine Music | Darkness & Delight - Jerry Wong (solo piano) DESCRIPTION:January 12\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:00 pm \n$10.75 – $46.63 \nInsert venue… \n\nGet Tickets\n \nDarkness & Delight \nJerry Wong (solo piano) \n\nInternational pianist and Associate Professor of Music – Piano and Head of Keyboard at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music\, Jerry Wong presents – Darkness & Delight – a captivating journey through the contrasting worlds of the piano. \nFrom  the brooding depths of Liszt and Australian composer Miriam Hyde and the luminous joy of Beethoven to the introspective clarity of Bach\, this recital explores music’s power to move between shadow and light. With artistry\, insight and expressive flair\, Jerry Wong reveals the piano as both confessional and celebration – a mirror of the full range of human emotion. \nFind out more about Jerry Wong \n\n\n\nView Full Festival Program\n \nGet tickets $10.75-$46.63 \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/jerry-wong/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Classical Music,Live Music,organs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jerry-wong.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260123T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260123T213000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251203T003308Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251203T010553Z UID:69281-1769196600-1769203800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Billy Hinde's Big Band presents: A Night of Big Band DESCRIPTION:January 23\n@\n7:30 pm\n–\n9:30 pm \n$49.65 \nMinerva Space \n\n\nGet Tickets\n\n \nThis event was designed to bring world class quality jazz music to Ballarat\, where we frequently have to travel to find music of such high quality. \nBilly Hinde is a homegrown Ballarat Musician who has played with many great big bands around Victoria including the Melbourne Youth Jazz Orchestra\, JazzLab Orchestra\, Seb Big Band and has recently been a featured soloist for many local groups including the Moorabool Light Orchestra\, Ballarat Arts Foundation and Royal South Street Society. \nFollow – Billy \n  \nTickets: $49.65 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/a-night-of-big-band/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sq-promo-billy-hinde.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260128T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260128T193000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251120T065224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T040410Z UID:68764-1769623200-1769628600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Geoff Parkes and Susi Fox DESCRIPTION:January 28\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \n$11.78 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet Tickets\n \nGeoff Parkes \nSusi Fox \n \nThe First Law of the Bush \nGeoff Parkes \nFrom the author of When the Deep\, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole and The First Law of the Bush. \nSet in the 1990s in New Zealand’s King Country\, The First Law of the Bush is the scintillating new rural noir from the author of When The Deep\, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole. \nIt’s a beautiful day to be alive\, Bill Dickerson thought\, seconds before he tumbled from the viaduct onto the jagged rocks below . . . \nHis awful death made national news. But still\, one year on\, Bill’s widow Carol has received no explanation about what happened. Was it suicide? An accident? Maybe murder? \nSo Carol hires lawyer Ryan Bradley in her fight for justice. Ryan has just returned to the remote town of Nashville after ten years away\, so he’s in no position to turn down work. \nExcept the case seems hopeless from the start. Bill’s employer is denying responsibility\, Carol’s friends are shunning her\, and the only witnesses – co-workers Gav Coates and Wati Reynolds – can shed no light on the tragic fall. Even Senior Sergeant ‘Stinger’ Nettle is too busy turning a blind eye to Wati’s illegal schemes to dig deeper into the death. \nBut in small towns\, nothing is quite what it seems. And for one Nashville resident the wrong question will come at a deadly price . . . \n \nThe Other Child \nSusi Fox \nFrom the author of bestselling psychological thriller Mine. \nThe Other Child is a compelling psychological suspense novel about creeping mistrust and fear of betrayal\, from the author of the bestselling Mine. \nWho do you trust when you can’t trust the one you love? \nFour years on from the devastating loss of their first child\, Lauren and Alex De Vale are finally the proud parents of new baby\, Charlotte. \nHowever as Lauren – who struggled to bond with her late son – returns to work\, she is riddled with anxiety. \nShe knows all too well that one little mistake can lead to tragedy. What if something terrible happens to Charlotte while she’s not there? \nFear\, grief and guilt make for a potent mix. And all it takes is one neighbour’s offhand comment to spark Lauren’s worst fears – and deep-seated suspicions . . . \nPraise for Susi Fox\n‘An original\, brave new voice.’ Australian Women’s Weekly on Mine\n‘I couldn’t sleep until I finished it . . . and then I couldn’t sleep at all.’ Dervla McTiernan on Mine \n \nAbout the authors\nGeoff Parkes \nBorn and raised in rural New Zealand\, Geoff Parkes now lives in Melbourne. For the last twelve years he’s written a weekly opinion column for The Roar\, Australia’s leading on-line sports website. He is the author of two crime novels\, When the Deep\, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole and The First Law of the Bush. \nGeoff Parkes | Photo: Penguin Random House\, Australia\nSusi Fox | Photo: Breeana Dunbar\nSusi Fox \nSusi Fox is the author of bestselling psychological thriller Mine\, which was shortlisted for the Davitt Awards in 2019. Susi is also a GP specialising in relationship and family therapy\, with a focus on Internal Family Systems (IFS). She lives in the Macedon Ranges with her family. \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/in-conversation-with-geoff-parks-susi-fox/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sq-promo-geoff.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260128T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260128T201500 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251124T043242Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T032638Z UID:68875-1769626800-1769631300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Living From a Place of Inner Peace - Ballarat Public Talk DESCRIPTION:January 28\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:15 pm \n$25 \nMinerva Space \n \nLiving with inner peace is not something we have to wait for. It is something we can actively cultivate every day. Our mind has incredible power. It can create stress and unease\, or it can support a life filled with stability\, joy\, and meaning. \nIn this course\, inspired by Buddha’s teachings\, we will explore how to gently transform unhelpful habits of thought and develop the inner qualities that allow peace to flourish. When we nurture calm and clarity within\, we bring more harmony into our relationships\, our work\, and every moment of our life. \nIn a fast moving world\, learning to live from a place of inner peace is one of the greatest gifts we can offer ourselves and those around us. \nJoin us for this uplifting talk and discover practical\, compassionate methods to create a peaceful and positive mind\, from the inside out. \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 \n\nBookings\n \nThe Teacher\nGen Kelsang Rabten is the Resident Teacher of KMC Australia (Dandenong Ranges) and KMC Melbourne (CBD). Ordained in 1994\, he has studied under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for 30 years. He has taught in many centres around the world including Australia\, New Zealand\, and South-East Asia. \nGen Rabten exemplifies the essence of the modern Kadampa’s way of life\, brings a warm heart and joyful attitude to sharing Buddha’s teachings and the practice of meditation. \nGen Kelsang Rabten\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/living-from-a-place-of-inner-peace/ LOCATION:City of Ballarat CATEGORIES:kadampa,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/square-promo2-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="KMC Australia & Melbourne":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260204T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260204T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260119T040646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T235306Z UID:70116-1770231600-1770235200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | A Fresh Start: Discover the Power of Meditation DESCRIPTION:February 4\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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 \n\nBookings\n \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-4-feb-26/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Square-A_Fresh_Start.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260211T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260211T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260119T041205Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T235116Z UID:70121-1770836400-1770840000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | A Fresh Start: Discover the Power of Meditation DESCRIPTION:February 11\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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 \n\nBookings\n \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-11-feb-26/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Square-A_Fresh_Start.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260212T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260212T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260128T030546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T033730Z UID:70313-1770924600-1770930000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Flow DESCRIPTION:February 12\n@\n7:30 pm\n–\n9:00 pm \nMinerva Room \nAnimated Animal Ecofable \n \nWe begin 2026 with a beautiful animated film about a wide-eyed curious cat and other animals seeking refuge on a boat as their human-free world of eerie buildings and enormous statues is inexplicably and rapidly flooded.  \nAs the waters carry them along\, they traverse magical\, submerged landscapes\, and are exposed to dangerous elemental forces. The film\, which does not anthropomorphise the animals by giving them human speech or names\, nonetheless shows them as having distinct personalities: a sleepy capybara\, a jolly labrador retriever\, a narcissistic ring-tailed lemur\, and a majestic white secretary bird\, brought together by the dangers they encounter to use their various skills to survive as a group. Sound designer Gurwal Coïc-Gallas used real animal sounds for each character – in particular his own cat Miut.  A mysterious fable for our times\, Flow has become the most attended film in Latvia’s history and won the 2025 Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.  Madman \n \nLatvia\, 2024\, 85 min. Directed\, written and produced by Gints Zilbalodi \nBallarat Film Society \n  \nMembership \n12 months – Feb-December: $60\nFeb-July: $35 – July-Dec: $30 \nTo join or renew your membership\, please e-mail or phone Angus McLachlan (5374 2474)\, or come with cash on the night. \nMembership can be paid by bank transfer or with cash. \nFor film enquiries\, phone Sue Nunn: 5341 2266 or visit the  Ballarat Film Society website \nAll films are subject to availability. If there is no next film shown below it means the BFS is working on next season’s programme. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-flow/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/flow-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260214T120000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260214T140000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260112T012814Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T060448Z UID:69779-1771070400-1771077600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In conversation with Tori Baxter | Book Launch DESCRIPTION:February 14\n @\n12:00 pm\n –\n2:00 pm \n\n$10.00 \nMinerva Space \n \n \n Get tickets\n \nMy Sweet Monster: A Cautionary Tale of  Desire \nTori Baxter \nBook launch for My Sweet Monster: A Cautionary Tale of Desire and live conversation event with Author Tori Baxter and Journalist Abby Dinham around motherhood\, survival and domestic violence partnerships. \n\n My Sweet Monster | Tori Baxter\nAbout Tori \nTori Baxter is a Melbourne-based writer whose debut memoir\, My Sweet Monster\, was brought to life after five years of catastrophic events. These experiences led Baxter down an unknown path of chronic health conditions\, mental health crisis\, pregnancy abandonment\, sex work\, poverty\, and the pain that comes with loving a substance abuser. \nTori’s writing brings a truth to the page that most people would spend their lives burying; her hope is to help others who experience domestic violence feel less alone. \n\n \nFollow Tori \n \n \n \n \nTori will be in conversation with Abby Dinham \nAbby Dinham is a Senior Crime & News Reporter\, bringing extensive experience in the Australian broadcasting landscape.  \n\n \n$10 per person \n \n Tickets\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/in-conversation-with-tori-baxter/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260215T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260215T183000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260112T034344Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T000304Z UID:69818-1771174800-1771180200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Joseph Tawadros | Solo Oud DESCRIPTION:February 15\n@\n5:00 pm\n–\n6:00 pm \n$5 – $40 \nMinerva Space \n\n\nGet Tickets\n \nThis event was designed to bring world class quality world music to Ballarat\, where locals frequently have to travel to find music of such high quality. \n \nJoseph Tawadros AM is a leading Oud virtuoso\, composer and 8 time ARIA-award winner. Born in Cairo\, his chosen instrument\, the Oud is an Arabic lute\, the ancestor of the lute and modern guitar. \nA virtuoso of diversity and sensitivity\, Joseph performs in concert halls worldwide and is known for his brilliant technique\, deep musicianship\, storytelling and joyous style of performance. Joseph’s drive to push musical boundaries has inspired collaborations with diverse performers and a solid repertoire of innovative\, original music. \nHe performs live as a soloist\, in duo with his brother James on Egyptian percussion\, with his jazz quartet or with chamber orchestras and symphony orchestras all over the world. \nJoseph has performed his own works with the Australian Chamber Orchestra\, BBC Symphony\, Melbourne Symphony\, Western Australian Symphony\, Adelaide Symphony\, Ukraine National Orchestra\, Camerata Salzburg\, the Morphing Chamber Orchestra. His ground-breaking Concerto for Oud & Orchestra was performed with the Sydney Symphony and recorded and released by ABC Classics in 2019. \nHe has recorded his music with many US jazz luminaries such as John Abercrombie\, Jack de Johnette\, Roy Ayers\, John Patitucci\, Bela Fleck\, Mike Stern\, Joey DeFrancesco\, Richard Bona and Christian McBride. Classical collaborations include Richard Tognetti\, William Barton\, The Grigoryan Brothers\, Christian Lindberg\, Gurrumul\, James Crabb and his songs have been performed/recorded by The Song Company and Andreas Scholl. \nHe has performed several sell-out Australian tours with the Australian Chamber Orchestra led by Richard Tognetti – and performed with them at the Sydney Opera House for their 50th Anniversary concert in November 2025. \nJoseph was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for services to music in 2016. \n \nFollow The Bowerbird Collective \n\n\n\n\n\n \nTickets: $40 adults\, $37.50 Concession\, From $25 pay what you can\, $5.00 under 18yrs \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/joseph-tawadros-solo-oud/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/sq-promo-joseph-tawadros.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260218T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260218T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260119T041316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T234924Z UID:70123-1771441200-1771444800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | A Fresh Start: Discover the Power of Meditation DESCRIPTION:February 18\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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 \n\nBookings\n \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-18-feb-26/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Square-A_Fresh_Start.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251008T011020Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T030310Z UID:67900-1772044200-1772049600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Paula McLean DESCRIPTION:February 25\n@\n6:30 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \n$11.78 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet Tickets\n \nThe One Remaining \nPaula McLean \n \nThe One Remaining is a captivating story of overcoming loss\, finding the courage to trust those who believe in us\, and the self-healing power of writing our stories. \nHilary Mason is thirteen when her sister Elaine disappears. She fears someone close to the family is involved but represses her suspicions. \nAs an adult\, Hilary becomes a successful novelist. In her fifties\, she comes upon a stack of her old diaries\, which document the trauma she’s endured. She decides she is ready to face the hidden backstory of her life. \nShe embarks on writing a memoir\, Hilary’s Story\, which will take her through her worst years and her best years\, through courage and endurance\, through friendship and great love. \n‘The One Remaining is a wise\, beautiful and moving novel about the whole of a woman’s life. I lived with the main character Hilary through her griefs\, suffering and great joys. I cried as I read\, then I wiped my eyes and smiled. McLean shows us how surviving loss and trauma is not linear or clear\, but gives a depth and richness to life nonetheless.’ Sophie Gee\, The Secret Life of Books podcast \n \nAbout the author\nPaula McLean\, Author\nPaula McLean is the immediate past Deputy Chair and Patron of the Stella Prize\, and now a NSW Ambassador. I am on the board of the Country Education Foundation\, a member of the She Gives Advisory Group and a trustee of McLean Foundation\, which supports conservation\, education\, domestic violence and literature. I began the Nature Writing Prize\, administered by The Nature Conservancy Australia. A former fiction and educational publishing editor\, I am also the author of Good Foods for Babies and Toddlers. \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/paula-mclean/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sp-promo-paula-mclean.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260119T041447Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T235607Z UID:70125-1772046000-1772049600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | A Fresh Start: Discover the Power of Meditation DESCRIPTION:February 25\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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 \n\nBookings\n \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-25-feb-26/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Square-A_Fresh_Start.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260228T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260228T230000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251202T061155Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T225623Z UID:69260-1772308800-1772319600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Whispers of Shadows DESCRIPTION:February 28\n @\n8:00 pm\n –\n11:00 pm \n\n$20.50 \nHumffray Room \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n‘A celebration of resilience\, a hymn to the unwavering power of the human spirit\, a poetic whisper that echoes into eternity’ \nExperience a mesmerising night of art rock\, spoken word\, and experimental sound as Danielle Whalebone presents Whispers of Shadows an immersive live performance that blends music\, projections\, and emotion into a powerful multi-sensory journey. \n\n Whispers of Shadows – Damon Sky\nExploring themes of isolation\, longing\, and resilience\, Whalebone and noise guitarist Francesco Manuse create a soundscape that moves between ethereal stillness and volcanic intensity. Their performance combines feedback-laden guitar textures\, bowed strings\, and shifting psychedelic projections\, transforming the stage into a living\, breathing canvas of sound and light. \nMerging the epic crescendos of post-rock with the raw spontaneity of improvisation\, Whispers of Shadows invites audiences to step beyond the ordinary into a space where art\, sound\, and emotion converge. \nDon’t miss this unforgettable live performance a hypnotic fusion of music\, light\, and poetic storytelling that resonates long after the final note fades. \nArtist Overview – Danielle Whalebone \n“Where sound becomes a confession — and noise turns to poetry.” \nDanielle Whalebone is an Australian songwriter\, guitarist\, and spoken-word artist whose work dissolves the borders between sound\, poetry\, and performance art. Emerging from Melbourne’s post-punk underground\, she crafts immersive sonic landscapes that shimmer between fragility and ferocity — meditations on isolation\, longing\, and resilience. Her latest project\, Whispers of Shadows\, is a hypnotic fusion of noise-guitar\, poetic narration\, andshifting visual projections. Collaborating with renowned producer Lindsay Gravina (Birdland Studios; Magic Dirt\, Rowland S. Howard\,) and guitarist Francesco Manuse\, Whalebone transforms live performance into a multi-sensory event — equal parts concert\, theatre\, and dreamscape. \nMore About – Danielle Whalebone \nWhalebone first gained attention in Melbourne underground music scene her post punk band drew comparisons to the darker lineage ofAustralian rock. With Whispers of Shadows\, she expands that world — embracing experimental structures\, feedback-driven atmospheres\, and spoken-word storytelling.Her performances are immersive experiences where light\, texture\, and tone intertwine. Shifting projections reflect emotional states; guitar feedback swells like ocean tides. At their core lie Whalebone’s words — intimate and haunting\, exploring the fractures of identity\, memory\, and love. Critics have described her sound as “ethereal yet volcanic” and “cinema for the ears.” The work recalls the intensity of artists like Nick Cave\, Swans\, and My Bloody Valentine\, while standing firmlyin its own shadowed territory — art-rock that pulses with vulnerability\, intellect\, and defiance.With the upcoming Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute performance in 2026\, Whispers of Shadows will reach its full immersive form — combining sound design\, poetry\, and visuals into a performance that feels less like a show and more like a passage through light and darkness. \nFollow – Danielle \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nTickets: $20 plus booking fee – \nOur bar will be open\, plus… There will be a meet and greet after the show. \n \n Get 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/whispers-of-shadows/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Live Music,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/square-promo-wos.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260302T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260302T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260112T025228Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T022511Z UID:69804-1772478000-1772485200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Pub Cinemas Presents: 'In The Shadow of the Gallows' & short film 'Vendetta 19' DESCRIPTION:March 2\n @\n7:00 pm\n –\n9:00 pm \n\n$21.00 \nMinerva Space \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \nPresented by Pub Cinemas: In the Shadow of the Gallows \n \nIn 1873 a frail figure was walked to the gallows at the Adelaide Gaol. She had been convicted of murdering her husband\, and there would be no reprise. The hanging of Elizabeth Woolcock has gone on in Australian true crime history as one of the most contested cases to result in capital punishment. \nIn The Shadow Of The Gallows is a psychological and biographical masterpiece that delves into not only the biographical and forensic details of the case\, but also the psychological state of a 23 year old woman in the final hour of her life. \nPub Cinemas invites to you view this original Australian production in the surrounds of one of our pub screening partners. We are dedicated to presenting amazing stories with a pint at your favourite local. Different to a cinema\, Pub Cinemas brings you real stories about the people who made us who we are today. \n \nWritten by Regina Chieftain & staring Hilary Boyce. \nRated MA15. (NLSV) \nVendetta 19 \n \nMelbourne’s inner suburbs erupt in gang violence during the 1919 Fitzroy Vendetta. After a year of bloodshed\, Squizzy Taylor stands alone\, solidifying his notoriety. Chronicles the early criminal exploits of these infamous gangsters. \n \nWritten Written and Directed by Roy Maloy. \nPub Cinemas \n \n \n \n \n$21.00 per person \n \n Get 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/pub-cinemas-in-the-shadow-of-the-gallows/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/sq-promo-shadow-of-the-gallows.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260304T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260304T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260226T225959Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T230259Z UID:70943-1772650800-1772654400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Solve Our Human Problems: Managing Anger & Difficult Relationships DESCRIPTION:March 4\n @\n7:00 pm\n –\n8:00 pm \n\nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \n  \nThese classes offer simple\, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peacethrough meditation and Buddhist teachings. \nThe in-person setting fosters a supportive community andoffers real-time interaction with the teacher for personalized guidance.Classes include guided meditations and teachings to help us solve ourdaily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. \nBeginners welcome\, no bookings required. \nFree for Kadampa members \nKadampa Meditation Centre Australia (Ballarat Branch)info@meditateinmelbourne.org | 0455205589meditateinballarat.orgABN 86 114 195 550KMC Australia is a not-for-profit organisation \n \n Bookings\n \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-4mar/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-HTSHP-BMI-Square.png ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260310T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260310T193000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20251110T032113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T233337Z UID:68454-1773165600-1773171000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Kate Mildenhall & Josh Pomare DESCRIPTION:March 10\n@\n6:00 pm\n–\n7:30 pm \n$11.78 \nHumffray Room \n\nGet Tickets\n \nKate Mildenhall \nJ.P. Pomare \n \nThe Hiding Place \nKate Mildenhall \nFrom the Author of Skylarking\, The Mother Fault  and The Hummingbird Effect \nThey’re good people. Why shouldn’t they get what they deserve? \nWhen Lou sees an ad for a long-abandoned mining town up for sale\, it doesn’t take her long to convince her sister and their oldest friends to go in on the idyllic property buried in the bush – a place where the four families can hide away on weekends\, get back to nature and unstick the kids from their screens. \nBut things start to go wrong before they even arrive for their first camping trip – a  rogue deer sends a trailer off the road\, a neighbour complains about the fence line and squatters have set up camp down by the river. Soon none of that will matter\, though\, because by the end of the first night someone will be dead. \nAt first it seems that hiding a body is easier than keeping other sorts of secrets: a lost job\, an illegal crop\, an outrageous affair\, a little embezzlement. But what’s buried has a way of coming to the surface\, and even in the bush\, it’s hard to remain unseen. \nWhite Lotus meets The Slap in a razor-sharp literary thriller about deception and self-deception\, and how far people will go to protect what they feel they ought to have. \n‘Absolutely brilliant. I wish I had written this book.’ Hayley Scrivenor\, author of Dirt Town \n \nThe Gambler \nJ. P. Pomare \nA Vince Reid thriller \nFrom the author of 17 Years Later \nPI Vince Reid is visiting an old friend when he’s offered a case he can’t Why did a respected local woman open fire at a political rally\, killing a promising young university graduate? It’s easy money\, he’s told. A sure thing. \nBut as Reid delves further into the case\, the stakes are higher than he imagined. There are invisible players pulling the strings. Will he walk away a winner or pay for the ultimate gamble with his life? \nPRAISE FOR THE THRILLERS OF J.P. POMARE\, including The Wrong Woman and 17 Years \n‘Seriously good’ DERVLA McTIERNAN \n‘There’s no better storyteller in the thriller game than Pomare’ COURIER MAIL \n‘Shocking\, twisty and impossible to put down’ CHRISTIAN WHITE \n‘Propulsive. Clever. Satisfying’ THE GUARDIAN \n‘Grabbed me from the opening page and didn’t let go’ MICHAEL ROBOTHAM \n‘Pomare is a master of the impeccably paced psycho-thriller’ THE AUSTRALIAN \n \nAbout the authors\nKate Mildenhall \nKate is the author of Skylarking (2016) The Mother Fault (2020) and The Hummingbird Effect ((2023). She lives in Hurstbridge on Wurundjeri lands\, with her partner and two children. \nSkylarking was longlisted for Debut Fiction in The Indie Book Awards 2017\, and the 2017 Voss Literary Award. The Mother Fault was longlisted for the 2021 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year and shortlisted for the 2021 Aurealis Science Fiction Novel of the Year. \nKate Mildenhall\, author\n\nJ.P. Pomare \nJ. P. Pomare is a New Zealand author who lives in Melbourne\, Australia. \nHe is the author of a number of critically acclaimed and best-selling novels including Seventeen Years Later\, Tell Me Lies\, and The Wrong Woman. \nHis novel In The Clearing was adapted for the screen as an eight part miniseries by Disney (The Clearing) and The Last Guests (Watching You) has been adapted as a series by Stan. \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/in-conversation-with-christian-white-josh-pomare/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/square-promo-kate-josh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260311T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260311T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T103505 CREATED:20260226T230339Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T230419Z UID:70950-1773255600-1773259200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Solve Our Human Problems: Managing Anger & Difficult Relationships DESCRIPTION:March 4\n@\n7:00 pm\n–\n8:00 pm \nFree – $12 \nLending Library\, ground floor \n \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 \n\nBookings\n \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-11-mar/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-HTSHP-BMI-Square.png ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR