Hi Folks
I have a confession to make- I’m writing this note from a plane heading from Budapest to Nice and it is definitely warmer here. I tell you this not to boast but because as you can expect my husband and I are enjoying many cultural and heritage sites and buildings. Amongst these was the stunning Austrian National Library in Vienna.
It just served to inspire and reiterate to me the precious nature of our Heritage Collection and how our building and all that happens inside are important stories to tell and continue to create.
Royal South Street Society | BMI Community Partner
This month as always, there are many new things happening at the BMI and we continue to welcome back our loyal repeat customers. Many of you will notice the presence of the Royal South Street Society in our building for some of their sections shortly, and we also look forward to welcoming their new piano into our building as part of the new partnership. For more information regarding their programming at the BMI please go to our website or for their full program visit the RSSS website.
Our program of Author Talks continues, with some new names on the list. Thanks as always to Rosemary for her tireless efforts in this area. These events are low cost and provide an opportunity for members to invite their friends to explore some of what the BMI offers to their members and the wider public.
We have farewelled some of our staff members this month. Both Leah Pappaluca (bookings coordinator) and Addy Hansen (events) have decided to take next steps in their career development and education, we wish them well and thank them for their service to the BMI. Welcome to Annie Sienesi who will be joining the events team very shortly.
Grants
We have been very fortunate to share in grant monies totalling almost $100,000 coming to Mechanics’ Institutes across Victoria from Local Government Victoria, through their Public Libraries Program. Thanks to former Executive Manager Colin Jackson for submitting this application over 12 months ago. We have already replaced the fluorescent lights in the Hooper Room with a series of pendant lights, I invite you to take a look next time you are in, it really has enhanced the atmosphere. Along with this we will be adding some equipment to the room for use by hirers and we will be cleaning the carpets. The grant funds also extend to repairs to the dry rot in the Hugh Williamson Foyer, cleaning of the carpet and some minor repairs in the bathrooms off the foyer.
A big thank you to the Minister for Local Government, The Honourable Nick Staikos MP for distributing these funds through the Public Libraries Funding Program.
Ballarat Winter Festival
We have several events listed in the Ballarat Winter Festival Program through the City of Ballarat, which provides a wider marketing base for us. Thanks to Mark Potter for always
reminding us of these deadlines, and preparing our digital event information for submission to the City.
These events include an exhibition in the Heritage Reading Room, author talks including a local author writing for a younger audience, and our tours of course.
We are really are keen to attract more volunteers to assist with our building tours. Training is certainly available and one does not have to be an historian to qualify! But this role does offer the opportunity to learn some of the secrets and tales relating to our building and we would love to hear from you, if you or someone you know, would like to join this little team and can help out, contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Our End Of Financial Year campaign is drawing to a close but there is still time to contribute in this way. Link below.
Strategic Direction
Thank you so much to staff, volunteers and Board for helping out during my “remote control” stint as Executive Manager during this trip. We are continuing to develop our approach to permanently filling this role through a process of evaluation while of course considering our Strategic Direction, our resources and how this role can best deliver for the BMI going forward. I would also like to let you know that Board Member Cathy Drake has decided to step down due to other commitments. Cathy has been a very hardworking and generous Board Member and Company Secretary and will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank her for all she has contributed over the last few years and thank her for her offer to continue to help out at the BMI in other ways when she can.
As a Board we continue to review our Human Resources policies and procedures in line with new legislation and will be conducting some cultural training for staff and volunteers shortly in line with this. We are refining accounting practices with our Finance Officer Carry Fungsi in an effort to maximise efficiencies and ultimately to ensure financial success going forward. Our now full time Venue Manager Liam Mudge, is also undertaking audits in his area with the guidance of the Board to continue to work towards best practice. Last month saw our Curator Ellen Becker speak at Sovereign Hill about the BMI, this is part of external facing advocacy which we are definitely proud of.
The Little Brass Band
Lastly, please get your tickets to a wonderful BMI fundraiser on 10 August: Raise a Glass to Brass presented by The Little Brass Band, we would love to see you there.
