The Photography of the BMI | Victorian Seniors Festival | Now fully Booked

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

The BMI is home to thousands of photographs of Ballarat through the ages.  Through the lens of several different photographers and collectors including Max Harris.  Join us for a curator-led tour of the BMI's photographic exhibition as part of the Ballarat Foto Biennale, as well as a special viewing of some treasures from our collection […]

$5

Card Making with Fay Marshall | Victorian Seniors Festival

Heritage Reading Room Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image: Happy Birthday | Fay's CreationsA workshop in Cardmaking.In this workshop you will use your creativity and style to produce amazing greeting cards that speak to your friends, family and colleagues with personality and heart.You will learn:How to use paint to make your own original backgrounds.How to use stencils, a medium and paint to make interesting raised […]

$15

Past Truths/Bright Futures

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

An evening of history and hope with local historian Dr Marguerita Stephens and local documentary film-maker James Freemantle.The Years of Terror meticulously documents the struggle of the Kulin clans to hold Country as La Trobe unleashed ‘the terror of British law’ on them.Based on the journal of Assistant Protector William Thomas, this work provides a […]

Free

Dried floral arrangement with Fay Marshall | Victorian Seniors Festival

Heritage Reading Room Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

Image:Credit Maria Orlova A workshop in Dried Floral Arrangement. In this workshop you will use your creativity and style to make beautiful dried floral arrangements and posies. You will learn: How to use colouring to enhance your dried arrangements. How to incorporate loved items and fabric. About the types of fixings that work well. All […]

$15

Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

Weekly classes 7pm Wednesdays These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Free for Kadampa members […]

Free

Kadampa Meditation Series | Anger Management

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

Weekly classes 7pm Wednesdays These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Free for Kadampa members […]

Free

Choose Happiness: A Public Talk with Kelsang Luma

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 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 […]

$10

Kadampa Meditation Series | Positive Psychology

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

Weekly classes 7pm Wednesdays These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Free for Kadampa members […]

Free

Kadampa Meditation Series | Get Your Confidence Back

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

Weekly classes 7pm Wednesdays These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Free for Kadampa members […]

Free

Kadampa Meditation Series | Dealing with Difficult People

Lending Library Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, Victoria, Australia

Weekly classes 7pm Wednesdays These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and develop inner peace through meditation and Buddhist teachings. Classes consist of two guided meditations and a teaching to help us solve our daily problems and find the lasting happiness we seek. Beginners welcome. Free for Kadampa members […]

Free

Finding Joy: Meditation in a Busy Life – Public Talk with Gen Kelsang Rabten

January 29 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm $25 Venue: Minerva Space Whether we’re looking for ways to manage stress or to grow emotionally and spiritually, meditation can help us bring more calm and joy into our lives. However, while many of us feel we could benefit from meditation, we often find it challenging to […]

$25

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

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 | Now $20

Tax Deductible 

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

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

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