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 […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
About Bill Swampy Marsh: The Australian Outback can be harsh, but it's the kind of place where you either learn to laugh off your troubles or fold under the pressure. Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has a deep affection and respect for people living in the Australian Bush, and he's spent more than twenty years travelling to […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
Book Sale We will be hosting a book sale in the Library on both Saturday & Sunday from 9am-2pm each day. The books on sale 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 | Some […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
The Woman Who Knew Too Little by Olivia Wearne A Routine Infidelity by Elizabeth Coleman THE similarities keep coming for two local authors who discovered they recently published their latest works a couple of days apart from each other. Now Elizabeth Coleman and Olivia Wearne have become fast friends following the release of their second novels. […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
Image: Courtesy Paul Lambeth The Tour (by day) A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. Tuesday’s at 2pm By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Please complete the on-line booking form. Cost (incl. gst) $10 per person Find out about our Night Tours More Tour Information Enq/Book a […]
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
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
