27/10/2022 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Last months Summary: Three members met at the BMI on Thursday 29 September at 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the scheduled CAD session. Several apologies received. Subject was the Ukraine situation. Another stimulating discussion. It covered the centuries-old background to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, rooted as it is in break-up of past empires, various peace…
02/11/2022 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm $12.00 Due to venue availability we are postponing this series until Feburary 2023 Subscribe Newsletter Become a BMI Member
03/11/2022 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $132.00 Image: Courtesy Maggie Dannatt A workshop in Book-making. I made my first book as a teenager, wanting to save all my favorite Don Martin cartoons from all the Mad magazines I had bought. I later learnt basic bookbinding at art school so that I could bind the books I was illustrating. I have made many…
06/11/2022 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm $38.50 The musicians: John Dods & Dana Czarski: Image Courtesy: John Dods Duo Latte: (Formed in 2020). This classical duo comprises two musicians who live in the Wimmera and began as a direct result of the Covid pandemic. Unable to continue with the long-established Ballarat Symphony Orchestral weekly rehearsals, 'cellist John Dods soon realised that an opportunity…
08/11/2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm With a similar ‘feel’ to McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), First Cow reveals, surprisingly, an America built on racial and social diversity during the birth of American enterprise. Two travellers on the run in the 1820s dream of striking it rich, relying on a wealthy landowner’s cow which is the first cow to ever reach Oregon. Cookie…
11/11/2022 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm $69 Eric Bogle is an internationally known and respected songwriter. For nearly 40 years he has toured the world with his music, inflicting his songs on innocent bystanders from outback Australia to the streets of New York and many places in between. During those 40 years he has embarked on eight tours of North America, 11…
12/11/2022 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm $79 Starring Dave Hole, Shane Pacey and Geoff Achison. BB, FREDDIE and ALBERT represent the pinnacle of blues guitar virtuosity. They used a minimum to create the maximum blues effect, and together they set the standard to which all others aspire. And the KINGS were superb vocalists, ripping into the very soul of the blues. Such…
16/11/2022 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm $10 Having sold over 700,000 copies of her books, Fleur has solidified her position as one of the country’s favourite storytellers. Australia’s leading rural literature author, Fleur’s books become best sellers almost as quickly as they hit the shelves. Her story lines are drawn from inspiration from having lived and worked for much of her life on…
29/09/2022 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Last months Summary: Three members met at the BMI on Thursday 29 September at 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the scheduled CAD session. Several apologies received. Subject was the Ukraine situation. Another stimulating discussion. It covered the centuries-old background to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, rooted as it is in break-up of past empires, various peace…
27/09/2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm The Reading Room This volunteer run reading and discussion group meets monthly. It is anticipated that members will read the selected book prior to attendance. If you would like to be a part of this group (free to BMI members) please complete the Expression of Interest. We welcome your feedback through this form as we…
06/12/2022 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm $10 About Once Were Wild: When local Clunes resident Leslie Scott discovers two brumbies living on the rugged Mount Beckworth, she almost can't believe it. Brumbies don't live in Central Victoria, and the terrain is not suited to them, so how did they get there? The horses are scared and unused to people, but the mountain…
08/12/2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Filmed in Australia, USA, France, Germany and Japan, this documentary examines the contemporary culture rooted in Mad Max (1979) and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) both of which became instant international cult films during the 1980s with their dystopian and post-apocalyptic themes and imagery. The film explores the eccentric world of the fans from around the globe, their costumes, and their machines. From the…
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
