Choose Happiness | A Public Talk, Buddhist Monk, Gen Kelsang Dornying

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

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 […]

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

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

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 […]

Free
Event Series Ballarat Film Society 2023

Ballarat Film Society – La Strada

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

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 […]

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1 | More tickets released

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

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 […]

Free
Event Series Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1 | Now moved to Minerva Space Level 3

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

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 […]

Free

Class Clowns | Ballarat Heat

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

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 […]

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

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

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 […]

Free

Embrace the Begonia Festival Workshop | Location now changed

Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up 512 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, Australia

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 […]

Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1

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

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 […]

Free
Event Series Ballarat Film Society 2023

Ballarat Film Society – Brooklyn

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

Ireland/UK/Canada, 2015, 112 min. Directed by John Crowley Nostalgic Irish Émigré Romance ​ Receiving a standing ovation at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and faithfully adapted from the novel by Colm Toibin, Brooklyn tells the story of Eilis (Saoirse Ronan), a young woman from Enniscorthy, County Wexford who finds herself in the new world of […]

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | $40

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

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2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

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Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing