News and Newsletters

Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Midnight and Blue Ian Rankin. John Rebus spent his life as a detective putting Edinburgh’s most deadly criminals behind bars.Now, he’s going to join them…. ...
Read More →
Book Sales

BMI Summer Book Sale – Calling for Pre-loved books

On at the end of the month The book sale is on Saturday 30 November  & Sunday 1 December from 10am – 2pm This event ...
Read More →
Important dates

Art Gallery of Ballarat, Exhibition | Medieval to Metal: The art & evolution of the guitar

MEDIEVAL TO METAL, Until 2 Febrary 2025 | BMI events associated with this festival will be listed here as they come to hand.
Read More →
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Swift River Essie Chambers. An incredible blend of intimate and epic – Curtis Sittenfeld. Summer 1987. On the sweltering streets of the dying New England ...
Read More →
Library

Our Library | New Releases & Recommendations November 2024

Go to the Library webpage to view all New Releases. Our Library Why not become a member Library Events Loading view. Today Upcoming Upcoming Select ...
Read More →
Important dates

Twilight Talks 2024 | Season 3 & 4 | 9 – 23 October & 6 – 27 November

As events are confirmed they will be listed HERE.
Read More →
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

How James Became King: The True Story of James ‘King’ O’Malley Brian O’Malley. ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician, ...
Read More →
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

In the Margins Gail Holmes. We are the spaces between the words. England 1647.  As civil war gives way to an uneasy peace and Puritanism ...
Read More →
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Burn it all Down TG Reid. If you play with fire… When fire crews are called to a blaze at the home of a Kilwinnoch ...
Read More →
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

The Valley Chris Hammer. The sins of the father | The love of a daughter | The secrets that divide them. The latest stunning thriller ...
Read More →
guides dressed in period costum
Tours

Minerva’s Secrets, Night Tours | Are on again, don’t miss out.

Minerva’s Secrets Night Tours are back this month and in November . Two tours, 7.30pm and 9.30pm. These tours have been very popular with terrific feedback. ...
Read More →
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

Subject – Life So Full of Promise: vivid, compelling stories about Australia’s lost generation. Ross McMullin. “His scholarship is impeccable, he writes like an angel ...
Read More →
Library

Our Library | New Releases & Recommendations October 2024

Go to the Library webpage to view all New Releases. Our Library Why not become a member Library Events Loading view. Today Upcoming Upcoming Select ...
Read More →
fundraiser

BMI Monthly Calendar 2025

Due to popular demand our calendar is back again for 2025. The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute 2025 monthly wall calendar features twelve beautiful photographs from our ...
Read More →
Festival

Ballarat Heritage Festival

BALLARAT HERITAGE FESTIVAL, 16 - 25 May | BMI events associated with this festival will be listed here as they come to hand.
Read More →
Festival

Ballarat Begonia Festival

BALLARAT BEGONIA FESTIVAL | 8 - 10 March 2025. Related Events to be held at the BMI will be listed here as they are confirmed
Read More →
Important dates

Australian Heritage Festival: Unearthed

AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Unearthed. 18 April to 18 May 2025. BMI related events will be listed here as they confirm.
Read More →
About Us

Rex’s Snippets | The Basement… The Truth

Why are there windows in the basement? This is an updated account on the original article written by heritage architect, consultant and good friend of ...
Read More →
model of a cornigh pumping engine
About Us

Rex’s Snippets | Cornish Pumping Engines

A Treatise On the 20th. June 1868, the secretary of the BMI, Mr. Batten,  wrote to Mr. W.F.Fowler in London, the following… “Only one vol. ...
Read More →
The Collection

Gift & Unveiling Function | From John Mildren OAM & Mildren Family

John Mildren OAM was the Federal Member for Ballarat 1980-1990. Prior to his election to Federal Parliament, he had been from 1970 a Senior Lecturer ...
Read More →
Board Members

BMI Fundraising Events | Fashion Fundraiser, Open Garden & Golf Day Fundraiser and more…

We have some important fundraising events coming up in Spring and we would love you to participate as either an attendee or sponsor. The funds ...
Read More →
fundraiser

Golf Day Fundraiser | Results and Review

We had a blast at the inaugural BMI Golf Day last December!  Congrats to the day’s wonderful sponsors and winners @haymespaint We’d like to thank all ...
Read More →
heritage photo of armed forces reading newspapers in library
Tours

Looking for an adventure next Tuesday at 2pm? Why not take a day tour of the BMI.

These tours are a wonderful way of learning about the history of this important part of Ballaarat’s heritage, still operating 6 days a week. As well ...
Read More →
building facade
About Us

Rex’s Snippets | Visiting the BMI? | Where are you?

Newspaper Reading Room | Victoria League Room (ground floor) Lending Library | Batten Room Stand in the entry to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and straight ...
Read More →
About Us

BMI Notables | Contribution by Neil Leckie | Dr James Robert Pound, Benefactor

James Robert Pound was born to Mr James Henry and Mrs Selina Maude (nee Walton) Pound at their home Lyndon in Riversdale Road Auburn, Victoria ...
Read More →
Membership

Would you like to submit a story or event to the BMI Newsletter?

BMI members are welcome to submit a story, news item or event to the BMI newsletter. If you would like to submit for the BMI newsletter ...
Read More →
About Us

Rex’s Snippets | The BMI The Early Days

This is a open file of the minutes of the Institute from the inaugural meeting in 1859 to the annual meeting in 1863.  It shows ...
Read More →
Photography Collection

From the Curator | MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works

Did you enjoy an Old Gold, Freddo Frog or Cherry Ripe chocolate over Easter?  These much-loved chocolates were first manufactured by MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works. ...
Read More →
heritage photo of shop front
Photography Collection

From the Curator | Messer & Opie

Old friends William ‘Bill’ Messer and Francis ‘Frank’ Opie first opened their tailors on Bridge Street in 1935. The two had first known each other ...
Read More →
Photography Collection

From the Curator | The Ballarat Courier

This month we are featuring the old Ballarat Courier building on Sturt Street. The Courier was established by Robert Clark and Edward J. Bateman in ...
Read More →
Volunteers

Would you like to help in delivering BMI services

A call for expressions of interest for:1) Anyone with the RSA certificate (or anyone willing to undertake the ‘Responsible Service of Alcohol’ certificate) to volunteer ...
Read More →
About Us

Significance Assessment of the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute Collection

The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute has been selected to receive a Community Heritage Grant to the value of $5,500 (excluding GST) for the Significance Assessment of ...
Read More →
Views: 693
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 | $40

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