Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour, Ballarat Heritage Festival
2025-05-18 21:30 - 22:30, 2025-05-18 19:30 - 20:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
Winter Book Sale | Stockpile your winter reading

May 31

@

10:00 am

-

June 1

@

2:00 pm

Free

Lending Library

Books priced from $1 – more for collectable items.

Photo: Pexels - Clem Onojeghuo

Don’t miss our book sale this weekend. Admission 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 a dollar or two. And it’s not just books – there are CDs, DVDs, framed prints from our image collection and more! We will have some children’s books for your kids and grand kids. Plus, all proceeds are help to support our Library programs.

Book Donations. Our book sales are an important fundraiser for our independent BMI Library, if you would like to clear your book shelves we are happy to take donations of books that have been loved. We will also accept, DVDs, Vinyl Records and CDs. We can take delivery during our usual Library operating hours.

Library Operating Hours. Monday, Wednesday & Friday – 10am to 4pm Tuesday & Thursday – 10am to 3pm Saturday – 9.30am to 12noon.

membership

Library

Author Talks

This 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.

Dame Nellie Melba Celebration Performance
2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Dinner - This event has now been CANCELLED.
2025-05-17 18:30 - 23:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour, Ballarat Heritage Festival - NOW FULLY BOOKED
2025-05-16 21:30 - 22:30, 2025-05-16 19:30 - 20:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Kadampa Meditation Series | Find Your Flow: A Buddhist Guide to an Effortless Life
2025-05-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-30 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-23 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Darcy Tindale
2025-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker - Session 3
2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker - Session 2
2025-05-10 14:30 - 16:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Seedpod Ballarat 2025 | Gemma Cavoli - 'Oubliette' | Artist in Residence
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-09 18:00 - 19:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker
2025-05-09 19:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di Biciclette)
2025-05-08 19:30 - 21:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Mimi Kwa
2025-05-07 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

E A Gleeson, Book Launch - The Deepest Thing: A Poetic Memoir
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Natasha Lester
2025-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | City of Ballarat

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 2, Special Event | The Life of Walter Withers
2025-04-30 17:30 - 18:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Shelley Burr
2025-04-29 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ash Grunwald at the BMI
2025-04-27 16:00 - 20:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Beyond Limits | An Evening with Mick Marshall
2025-04-26 18:00 - 20:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour, Australian Heritage Festival, Tour 2
2025-04-25 21:30 - 22:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour, Australian Heritage Festival, This Tour is now Fully Booked
2025-04-25 19:30 - 20:30 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 2 | Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective: Feeling the Battlefield Spirits
2025-04-23 17:30 - 18:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Australian Heritage Festival
2025-04-22 14:00 - 2025-05-13 15:00 | Lending Library, Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 2 | Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective: Medals and Memorabilia
2025-04-16 17:30 - 18:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
