August 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm $15 Get Tickets Before digital databases and photography, how did we learn about the natural world? This Biodiversity Week, discover the BMI’s rare set of Ferdinand von Mueller’s Educational Collections of Victorian Plants (1874–1876). Designed to “diffuse information on the native vegetation” across Victoria, this historic herbarium […]
August 7 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm $44.90 Minerva Space Presented by KEG Touring Get Tickets A Bit Scared Blake Pavey rose to online fame at just 17 years old through his character based sketch comedy on TikTok. Since then, he has amassed over 1 Million followers across social media. He's now converted his […]
August 12 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.78 Humffray Room Get Tickets The Frock Shop Sophie Green Sophie will be in conversation with radio presenter Jane Nield Meet the Ladies of The Frock Shop Where clothes are just the start of the story Australian bestseller Sophie Green returns with a sparkling story about the beauty of […]
August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Minerva Room Brazilian Dystopian Sci-fi The Blue Trail depicts a dystopian world, one that functions as a wry social critique rather than containing any lasting sense of terror or gloom. In a futuristic Brazil, retirement has questionable consequences. 77-year-old Tereza is hailed as a ‘national living heritage’, yet she […]
September 5 @ 10:00 am - September 6 @ 2:00 pm Free Books priced from $5 - more for collectable items. Discover your next great read at The BMI Library Book Sale! Browse an incredible selection of titles at unbeatable prices. Don't miss our book sale this weekend. Admission and parking are free (one hour […]
September 6 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm $60 – $65 Get Tickets Take part in this important BMI fundraiser The BMI vintage & Pre-loved Shop are showcasing their wares Make time for a lovely get together. A glass of champagne on entry with music accompaniment: Fashion Parade Once again our beautiful models will be […]
September 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Minerva Room Māori Roadtrip Film The Māori celebration of New Year in July, marked by the rising of the stars in the Matariki constellation, is an occasion to mourn the deceased, celebrate the present, and prepare the ground for the coming year. While driving the length […]
September 23 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets Things With Teeth By Moonlight: A Miscellany P.A. Swanborough Pam will be in conversation with Rebecca Fletcher Things With Teeth by Moonlight is an illustrated multi-genre collection of flash, micro-fiction and short stories covering loss, revenge, affection, and spending too much time […]
October 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $11.00 Humffray Room Get Tickets Tell Me Something True Michael Robotham MICHAEL IS COMING HOME: This is his 20th novel, but the 1st to be set in Australia. This is a once-in-a-lifetime publishing event for a book destined to enter the Australian canon as a classic. The […]
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, […]
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 […]
December 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 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. […]
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
