# News and Newsletters Source: https://ballaratmi.org.au/news-and-newsletters/ [subscribe to our newsletter](https://mailchi.mp/ballaratmi/newsletter) [![Melbourne Fringe Encore Ballarat October 2026 newsletter cover](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/insta-1080-1350-newsletter-october-26.webp)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/newsletter-october-2026/) Newsletter ##### [Newsletter – October 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/newsletter-october-2026/) [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/newsletter-october-2026/) [![Twilight Talks Season 2 2026 newsletter event programme](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/insta-1080-1350-newsletter-september-26.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/newsletter-september-2026/) Newsletter ##### [Newsletter – September 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/newsletter-september-2026/) [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/newsletter-september-2026/) [![Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod logo](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sq-promo-events-rsss.webp)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-royal-south-street-society-countpro-sohwcase-2026/) [BMI Community Partner](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/bmi-community-partner/) #### [The Royal South Street Society | CountPro Showcase 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-royal-south-street-society-countpro-sohwcase-2026/) 03/10/2026 No Comments CountPro Showcase 2026 Featuring outstanding performances from the 2026 RSSS Ballarat Eisteddfod SEason Royal South Street Society Get Tix – Her Majesty’s Royal South Street ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-royal-south-street-society-countpro-sohwcase-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.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-when-sullivan-met-lola-by-monica-mcinerney/) [Book of the Week](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/library/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/) 28/09/2026 No Comments When Sullivan Met Lola Monica McInerney Don’t miss Monica who will be talking about her new book at BMI on 5 October at 6pm The ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-when-sullivan-met-lola-by-monica-mcinerney/) [![Melbourne Fringe Festival logo over dim stage](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/sq-promo-events-melbourne-fringe-logo.webp)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fringe-encore-ballarat/) [Festival](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/festival/) #### [Fringe Encore Ballarat](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fringe-encore-ballarat/) 22/09/2026 No Comments Fringe Encore Ballarat Fringe Encore: Ballarat Every great show deserves an encore. A week after the 2026 Festival wraps, Fringe Encore: Ballarat brings the adventurous ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fringe-encore-ballarat/) [![Michael Robotham Tell Me Something True book cover BMI Library](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/libary-bow-michael-robotham-tell-me-something-true.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-tell-me-something-true-by-michael-robotham/) #### [Rosemary’s Book of the Week | Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-tell-me-something-true-by-michael-robotham/) 21/09/2026 No Comments Tell Me Something True Michael Robotham Don’t miss Michael who will be talking about his new book at BMI on 1 October at 6pm The ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-tell-me-something-true-by-michael-robotham/) [From the Chair](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/from-the-chair/) #### [A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | October 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/from-the-chair-october-2026/) 19/09/2026 No Comments A Busy October I wonder whether you will all agree when you make your way through the pages of this newsletter that October is shaping ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/from-the-chair-october-2026/) [![Man holding trophy at 29th Compass Awards Presentation 2020](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/insta-awards_tay-chee-wei-photo-sharon-jing-yi.webp)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/award-for-bmi-event-technical-crew-member-tay-chee-wei/) [From the Venue Manager](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/from-the-venue-manager/) #### [Award for BMI Event Technical Crew Member – Chee Wei Tay](https://ballaratmi.org.au/award-for-bmi-event-technical-crew-member-tay-chee-wei/) 16/09/2026 No Comments Wonderful news from Singapore | Ballarat-based Creative Director and composer Chee Wei Tay received major Singapore music honour. Chee Wei Tay is part of the ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/award-for-bmi-event-technical-crew-member-tay-chee-wei/) [![Sally Mackinnon promotes her fashion book Styled](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/libary-bow-sally-mackinnon-styled.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-styled-by-sally-mackinnon/) #### [Rosemary’s Book of the Week | Styled by Sally Mackinnon](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-styled-by-sally-mackinnon/) 14/09/2026 No Comments Styled Sally Mackinnon Don’t miss Sally who will be talking about her new book at BMI on 29 September at 6pm Personal stylist Sally Mackinnon, ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rosemarys-book-of-the-week-styled-by-sally-mackinnon/) [Membership](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/membership/) #### [BMI AGM 2026 – Monday 28 September, 5pm](https://ballaratmi.org.au/bmi-agm-2026/) 02/09/2026 No Comments The Institute’s 2026 Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 28 September at 5pm | Humffray Room. All members of the Institute are invited ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/bmi-agm-2026/) [![Two performers in Victorian costume holding lanterns beside projector](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sq-promo-minerva-secrets.png)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/minervas-secrets-night-tours-are-on-again-dont-miss-out/) [Tours](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/tours/) #### [Minerva’s Secrets, Night Tours | Are on again, don’t miss out.](https://ballaratmi.org.au/minervas-secrets-night-tours-are-on-again-dont-miss-out/) 01/09/2026 No Comments Minerva’s Secrets Night Tours are back. Two tours, 7pm and 9pm. Step back in time with these atmospheric Victorian-era performers, lanterns in hand and ready ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/minervas-secrets-night-tours-are-on-again-dont-miss-out/) [![2026 Twilight Talks sponsored by Bendigo Bank Buninyong](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/square-promo-tt-lockup-2.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/twilight-talks-2026/) [Twilight Talks](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/twilight-talks/) #### [Twilight Talks 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/twilight-talks-2026/) 15/07/2026 No Comments Twilight Talks for 2026.Thank you to Community Bank Buninyong for supporting this popular community event. Twilight Talks Events (as they confirm) View more on these ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/twilight-talks-2026/) [![Two women smiling holding framed artwork in a library](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/winner-leigh-maylor-0429778292-photo-Elaine-Maberly-BMI-Member.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/lantern-vaults-prize-winner/) [Art programs](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/art-programs/) #### [Lantern Vaults – Prize Winner](https://ballaratmi.org.au/lantern-vaults-prize-winner/) 09/07/2026 No Comments Lantern Vaults Prize Winner has been drawn The raffle draw for Amanda Western’s work that brought you Lantern Vaults to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute during ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/lantern-vaults-prize-winner/) [The Collection](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/the-collection/) #### [ABC Radio interview with BMI Heritage Collection Curator Ellen Becker](https://ballaratmi.org.au/abc-radio-curator-ellen-becker/) 21/01/2026 No Comments From the Heritage Collection Curator – Interview with ABC Radio Sydney | Nightlife – Tuesday 23 Dec 2025 at 10pm The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, or ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/abc-radio-curator-ellen-becker/) [Stage Ready](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/stage-ready/) #### [Update from Liam Mudge, Venue Manager | Stage Ready](https://ballaratmi.org.au/update-liam-mudge-stage-ready/) 27/11/2025 No Comments Stage Ready The BMI has received funding to launch Stage Ready — a new non-formal technical-theatre training program for regional creatives. The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (BMI) ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/update-liam-mudge-stage-ready/) [![Library with book display](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Our-Library.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-guardian-the-rural-network/) [The Guardian](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/the-guardian/) #### [The Guardian | The Rural Newtork – I joined the oldest and most overlooked library in my town – and it feels like being part of a secret club – Dellaram Vreeland](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-guardian-the-rural-network/) 03/11/2025 No Comments The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute has had a reading room for 165 years but today it has just 530 members – and tens of thousands of ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-guardian-the-rural-network/) [![Woodcut of the BMI](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BMI-woodcut_bags.png)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/school-tour-bmi/) [School tour](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/school-tour/) #### [School tour of the BMI – October 2025](https://ballaratmi.org.au/school-tour-bmi/) 21/10/2025 No Comments On 9 October the BMI hosted students from: Lucas Primary School - Lal Lal Primary - Delecombe Primary - Buninyong Primary, and, Mt Egerton Primary [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/school-tour-bmi/) #### [Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute – Life Time Membership, Heritage Collection Volunteer, Marion Blythman](https://ballaratmi.org.au/marion-blythman/) 02/10/2025 No Comments Marion Blythman Marion has been working on the BMI Heritage Collection for about 18 years! She loves working with her current volunteer team, Dani ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/marion-blythman/) [fundraiser](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/fundraiser/) #### [CDS Victoria, Collection Deposit Scheme | Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute](https://ballaratmi.org.au/cds-ballarat-mechanics-institute/) 23/09/2025 No Comments The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is now registered as a charity for donations. We are raising funds to purchase new display shelves to improve access, usability, ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/cds-ballarat-mechanics-institute/) [Photography Collection](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/photography-collection/) #### [Ballarat Chess Club | Reinactment of the 1925 Chess Tournament](https://ballaratmi.org.au/ballarat-chess-club-reinactment/) 20/08/2025 No Comments The re-creation of the 1925 chess tournament between Ballarat and Geelong, August 10. Members of the Ballarat Chess Club and BMI Patron Dr Phil Roberts ... [Read More →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/ballarat-chess-club-reinactment/) [About Us](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/about-us/) #### [Rex’s Snippets | The Basement… The Truth](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-basement-the-truth/) 24/07/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-basement-the-truth/) [![model of a cornigh pumping engine](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/model-beam-engine-e1721714089388.webp)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippets-cornish-pumping-engines/) #### [Rex’s Snippets | Cornish Pumping Engines](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippets-cornish-pumping-engines/) 23/07/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippets-cornish-pumping-engines/) #### [Gift & Unveiling Function | From John Mildren OAM & Mildren Family](https://ballaratmi.org.au/print-john-mildren-and-family/) 22/07/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/print-john-mildren-and-family/) [![Vintage lottery barrel with stars for BMI fundraising events](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promo-events-fundraising-events.png)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fundraising-events/) #### [BMI Fundraising Events 2026](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fundraising-events/) 17/07/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/fundraising-events/) [![building facade](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bmi-pink.webp)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippets-visiting-the-bmi/) #### [Rex’s Snippets | Visiting the BMI? | Where are you?](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippets-visiting-the-bmi/) 20/06/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippets-visiting-the-bmi/) #### [BMI Notables | Contribution by Neil Leckie | Dr James Robert Pound, Benefactor](https://ballaratmi.org.au/dr-pound-bmi/) 19/06/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/dr-pound-bmi/) #### [Rex’s Snippets | The BMI The Early Days](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippits-early-minutes/) 20/05/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/rexs-snippits-early-minutes/) #### [From the Curator | MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works](https://ballaratmi.org.au/macrobertsons-steam-confectionery-works/) 02/04/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/macrobertsons-steam-confectionery-works/) [![heritage photo of shop front](https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mh-1593-Messer-Opie-Decorated-e1708901024158.jpg)](https://ballaratmi.org.au/messer-and-opie/) #### [From the Curator | Messer & Opie](https://ballaratmi.org.au/messer-and-opie/) 25/03/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/messer-and-opie/) #### [From the Curator | The Ballarat Courier](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-ballarat-courier/) 22/03/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/the-ballarat-courier/) [Volunteers](https://ballaratmi.org.au/category/volunteers/) #### [Would you like to help in delivering BMI services](https://ballaratmi.org.au/would-you-like-to-help-in-delivering-bmi-services/) 11/03/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/would-you-like-to-help-in-delivering-bmi-services/) #### [Significance Assessment of the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute Collection](https://ballaratmi.org.au/significance-assessment-collection/) 06/03/2024 No Comments 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 →](https://ballaratmi.org.au/significance-assessment-collection/)