# Home Source: https://ballaratmi.org.au/ ##### Established 1859 ## BALLAARAT ## MECHANICS' ## INSTITUTE Ballarat’s Independent Home of Arts, Culture, and Literature ## Latest Events As Ballarat’s independent home of Arts and Culture we host a wide range of events throughout the year! – Make sure you check out the BMI events calendar to see what we have coming up. [ALL UPCOMING EVENTS](https://ballaratmi.org.au/bmi-events/) [![BMI Fundraisers text banner on gold background](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/BMI-FUNDRAISERS.png)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fundraising-events/) [![Tours heading in white text on gold background](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TOURS.png)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/tours/) [![Gold banner with white LIBRARY text in bold letters](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/library.png)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/library) ### [Telegraph Road – The Dire Straits Legacy: Matt Arthur and The Lazybones](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/telegraph-road-the-dire-straits-legacy/) October 9 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm $40 – $49 Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute Get Tickets Telegraph Road — The Dire Straits Legacy. A celebration of the legendary British rock... [Read More](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/telegraph-road-the-dire-straits-legacy/) ![Royal Australian Navy Band performing with clarinets on stage](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sq-promo-events-cerberus-300x300.png) ### [Royal Australian Navy 125th Anniversary Concert](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/royal-australian-navy-125th-anniversary-concert/) October 10 @ 2:15 pm - 4:15 pm $33.00 Doors open 1.45pm | 2.15pm show-time Get Tickets Royal Australian Navy 125th Anniversary Concert Fundraising event for Ballarat RSL and Ballarat... [Read More](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/royal-australian-navy-125th-anniversary-concert/) ![Charlie Pickering comedy show promotional poster by Crimson Goat](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/sq-promo-events-charlie-pickering-300x300.webp) ### [Crimson Goat Comedy Presents: Charlie Pickering and Friends](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/charlie-pickering-and-friends/) October 11 @ 2:15 pm - 4:15 pm $38 – $49 Minerva Space Doors open 1.15pm Get Tickets Charlie Pickering and Friends Charlie Pickering is a law graduate who decided... [Read More](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/charlie-pickering-and-friends/) ![Self-esteem and confidence weekly classes promotional graphic](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/10_Comfortable_With_Yourself_-BMI-Square--300x300.jpg) ### [Kadampa Meditation Series | Comfortable with Yourself: Unlocking Self-Esteem & Genuine Confidence](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-comfortable-with-yourself-unlocking-self-esteem-genuine-confidence-2/) October 14 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free – $12 – $12 – $12 Lending Library, ground floor These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of... [Read More](https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-comfortable-with-yourself-unlocking-self-esteem-genuine-confidence-2/) [All upcoming events](https://ballaratmi.org.au/bmi-events/) ## Latest news ![Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty book cover with disco ball](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/libary-bow.big-little-truths-laine-liane-moriaty-768x960.webp) Book of the Week ### [Rosemary’s Book of the Week | Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-big-little-truths-by-liane-moriarty/) Big Little Truths Liane Moriarty [Read More »](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-big-little-truths-by-liane-moriarty/) 05/10/2026 ![Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod logo](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sq-promo-events-rsss-768x768.webp) BMI Community Partner ### [The Royal South Street Society | CountPro Showcase 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-royal-south-street-society-countpro-sohwcase-2026/) CountPro Showcase 2026 Featuring outstanding [Read More »](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-royal-south-street-society-countpro-sohwcase-2026/) 03/10/2026 ![Monica McInerney author photo with When Sullivan Met Lola book cover](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/libary-bow-monica-mcinerney-when-sullivan-met-lola-768x960.jpg) Book of the Week ### [Rosemary’s Book of the Week | When Sullivan Met Lola by Monica McInerney](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-when-sullivan-met-lola-by-monica-mcinerney/) When Sullivan Met Lola Monica [Read More »](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-when-sullivan-met-lola-by-monica-mcinerney/) 28/09/2026 ![Melbourne Fringe Festival logo over dim stage](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/sq-promo-events-melbourne-fringe-logo-768x768.webp) Festival ### [Fringe Encore Ballarat](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fringe-encore-ballarat/) Fringe Encore Ballarat Fringe Encore: [Read More »](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fringe-encore-ballarat/) 22/09/2026 Read up on the latest happenings at the BMI. From Library news and exhibitions to the latest word from board and staff. [Newsletter](https://ballaratmi.org.au/news-and-newsletters/) ## Venue Hire The BMI has a number of beautiful spaces that are available for hire. With reasonable ‘pay-for-what-you-need’ pricing, stunning heritage architecture, and modern facilities, it is the perfect place for your next event. [Book Now](http://ballaratmi.org.au/venue-hire/) ## Membership Invest in the Ballarat community by becoming a BMI member. Membership to the organisation allows you to borrow books from the lending library, as well as discounts to BMI events and other perks. [Enquire Now](https://ballaratmi.org.au/membership/) ## Supporters & Partners If you would like to support the BMI as a Strategic Partner, as an Event Partner or Supporter, or you would like to consider a Corporate Membership then we would like to hear from you. [Enquire Now](https://ballaratmi.org.au/about-us/supporters-partners/) Find out who supports the BMI. ## Our History John B. Humffray arrived in Melbourne on the 19th of September 1853 on the Star of the East and had found himself in Ballaarat by 1854. Because of the conditions he had seen on the goldfields he formed the Reform League to advocate for better conditions and treatment of the diggers by Government Officials. He was elected unopposed as an M.L.C. in 1855 and was elected as an M.L.A. in 1856 for North Grant. Humffray was elected as President of the Committee of Management of the Mechanics Institute in May of 1859 when the reading room was established at the Ballarat Fire Brigade in Barkly Street. His term of office was interrupted by his Parliamentary duties so was succeeded by Andrew Anderson in 1860. [Read More](https://ballaratmi.org.au/about-us/) ![BMI_upshot_evening](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BMI_upshot_evening-1.jpg) ![The Minerva Space as a backdrop for interviews - Mass Motion](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mass_Filming_Minerva.jpg) ![Keep The Circle Unbroken 2020](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG-4021.jpg)