09/12/2022 @ 10:00 am - 23/12/2022 @ 3:00 pm Image: Nyibol Deng Exhibition of Works Prior to the BMI Maker Market & Book Sale Nyibol will have an exhibition of works on display in the Library. You will be able to get a preview of the product she will have for purchase on market-day. You will be able to purchase these works and all commission…
17/12/2022 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Come along and experience our Annual Book Sale today & tomorrow. Free entry Book Sale We will be hosting a book sale in the Library. 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. Prices range from $1 to $10…
18/12/2022 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Come along and experience our Maker Market & Book Sale and do your Christmas Shopping: Calling for stallholders | Expression of interest > Free entry View our current stallholders Stallholders Book Sale We will be hosting a book sale in the Library. These books have been donated to the BMI by members and the Ballarat…
01/02/2023 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm It’s not uncommon to feel we are wandering aimlessly through life. Searching for, but never truly finding, the contentment and happiness we seek. What have you daydreamed about and wished for in your life? For some it’s a large house, well paid job or fast car. For others it’s reputation, good looks, power, excitement or…
08/02/2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Free 8 February – The Red Planet & Ballarat’s Lady Astronomer | Graeme Hood & Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm Graeme Hood is an amateur Astronomer who first turned to the skies as a young boy in 1957 to observe the Sputnik spacecraft. He has maintained a lifelong interest…
09/02/2023 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Italy, 1954, b/w, 94 min. Directed by Federico Fellini Fellini Classic Neo-Realism Starring Giulietta Masina, Anthony Quinn and Richard Basehart, and produced by Dino De Laurentiis and Carlo Ponti, La Strada was Fellini’s 4th film and ensured his international reputation. Told in a fabulist style with a focus on love and jealousies, it is set…
15/02/2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Free A regional Commonwealth Games & creating great teams | Steve Moneghetti AM & Gerard FitzGerald Bar open in the Humffray Room from 5.00pm | Talk starts in the Minerva Room at 5.30pm Steve Moneghetti AM Steve Moneghetti AM Gerard FitzGerald Gerard FitzGerald Tickets/bookings. Free | We are pleased to advise that this series is being…
22/02/2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Free History; The Ballarat Club & Trades Hall | Dr Phil Roberts OAM & Jenny Beacham Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm Dr Phil Roberts OAM Educated in Melbourne, during 1967-2002 was a secondary humanities teacher and Principal. In 1971 he taught in London and in 1984 Denver. Author of 21 books, his…
24/02/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Class Clowns aims to inspire, engage and elevate teens aged 14-18 who are hoping to flex their funny bone and get into comedy. All you need is 3-5 minutes of original comedy material of any genre. Stand-up, sketch, narrative, solo, group, musical, physical – all are welcomed. Heats are held around the country and comprise a…
01/03/2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Free Making a difference to Ballarat’s homeless - Ballarat Future Shapers & Michael Poulton. Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm Ballarat Future Shapers Western Region leadership project and how they dreamed big to help the homeless and deliver the Sleepbus to Ballarat. Michael Poulton Michael is the current CEO of the Committee for Ballarat, a role…
04/03/2023 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Format A workshop in creating crepe paper begonia flowers with Marianne & Alison Thomson (aka Madam Lovage Florist & Sunshine Plants popups CBD Ballarat) This workshop is to support families in decorating their homes for the Begonia Festival (March 11-13), our objective is to make posies and bunting together to take home. Attendance To attend…
08/03/2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Free Your data and how to protect it - George Fong & Dr Omaru Maruatona Bar open from 5.00pm | Talk starts at 5.30pm George Fong Founder of Lateral Plains George Fong is the founder and Nerd Herder of Lateral Plains, one of the oldest IT companies in the region. He is Chair of the Committee…
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
