News and Newsletters

Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 18 March 2024

Rosemary’s Book of the Week No Comfort on a Chilly Night by Noel Braun Felix Schmidt is backpacking on the Camino de Santiago when he meets the love ...
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Important dates

Ballarat Heritage Festival

17 – 26 May 2024 With Ballarat’s stunning Victorian architecture as the backdrop the annual festival highlights the city’s golden past and evolving future. Stay ...
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Board Members

Introducing Cathy Drake | Secretary, Board, Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Cathy Drake is a commercial lawyer and a director of Nevetts Lawyers.  She has lived and worked in Ballarat for over 25 years, and in ...
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Important dates

Australian Heritage Festival

18 April – 18 May 2024 Event registrations for the 2024 Australian Heritage Festival are open. The Heritage Festival will run from Thursday 18 April to ...
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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 ...
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About Us

Twilight Talks 2024 | Writing a Memoir, Dr Frank Hurley OAM & Pastor Bill Sutcliffe

Wednesday 28 February at 5.30pm We are very excited to be bring you the first session of Twilight Talks for 2024 on 28 February at ...
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Board Members

Introducing Jane Valpied | Vice President, Board, Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institue

Jane Valpied is an accomplished property valuer, building designer and community and landowner engagement professional who has excellent communication and project management skills.  Jane lives ...
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Important dates

Whtie Night Ballarat

Saturday 1 June 2024 White Night will transform the streets and venues of Ballarat on the evening of the 1 June 2024 through illuminations, projections, ...
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About Us

Twilight Talks 2024 | Community Bank Buninyong

Wednesdays 28 February – 27 March 2024 Twilight Talks 2024 | We are thrilled to announce that Community Bank Buniyong (Community Bank Buninyong) will be ...
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About Us

BMI 165th Birthday Appeal | Give now

As we turn 165 years old we must admire the effort and work of those before us, who have striven to ensure that we are ...
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book cover
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 11 March 2024

Rosemary’s Book of the Week The Good Dog by Simon Rowell After gunshots shatter a summer night on Mount Macedon, Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer and her loyal ...
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Board Members

A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors

On behalf of the Board and as the current chair of the BMI I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a ...
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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 ...
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board member portrait
Board Members

Introducing Mike Stephens | Treasurer, Board, Ballaarat Mechanics Institute

Mike Stephens, the founder of Meridian Agriculture, has almost forty years’ experience in directing, managing and advising small and medium sized agricultural businesses. He has ...
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Library

Max Harris book signing | The Swinging Sixties

Yesterday the BMI was a-buzz with people streaming in for a book signing with Max Harris who was selling his new book Ballarat The Swinging ...
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Book cover
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 3 March 2024

Rosemary’s Book of the Week Kind of Sort of Maybe…but probably not by Imbi Neeme A charming, nostalgic, quirky, uplifting novel of people young and old finding ...
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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 ...
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Important dates

Victorian Seniors Festival

1 – 31 October 2024 Victoria’s largest seniors’ festival will return in October 2024 with thousands of opportunities to participate in free and low-cost events. ...
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book cover
Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 27 February 2024

Rosemary’s Book of the Week  The Chocolate Factory by Mary-Lou Stephens  Its 1921, and after years of working for Cadbury’s at Burnville, Dorothy Adwell is on her ...
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Book Sales

Book Sale | Shirley Flight Air Hostess by Judith Dale, collectable books

Shirley Flight has always dreamed of becoming an air hostess. She applies to work for Transcontinental Air Lines and her application is accepted — on ...
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The Ballarat Imaginarium

At our front door | The Ballarat Imaginarium

Colourful consignment: Melinda Muscat sells the work of more than 120 local artists, writers, and makers through her Ballarat Imaginarium store, with Jen Crossley being ...
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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 ...
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Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 20 February 2024

Rosemary’s Book of the Week The Chipilly Six by Lucas Jordan ‘The Chipilly Six were extraordinary men in extraordinary times. Lucas Jordan reveals a wider story ...
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Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 12 February 2024

Rosemary’s Book of the Week Mrs Winterbottom takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell Husband and wife Gps Alan and Heather Winterbottom have worked side by side ...
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Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 5 February

Rosemary’s book of the Week A Dance with Murder by Elizabeth Coleman  One Wrong Step Can Be Deadly… A Dance with Murder picks up about a week after ...
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New Releases

Our Library | New Releases & Recommendations February 2024

Go to the Library webpage to view all New Releases. Our Library Why not become a member Views: 344
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Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 29 January

Rosemary’s Book of the Week Foul Play |  Fiona McIntosh Superstar footballer Luca Bruni is being blackmailed for a night of lust he, swears he ...
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Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 22 January

Rosemary’s Book of the Week The Royal Daughter |  Soraya Lane London, present day:As Ella looks down at a faded black-and-white photograph of an unknown ...
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New Releases

Our Library | New Releases & Recommendations December 2023

Go to the Library webpage to view all New Releases. Our Library Why not become a member Chrismas Membership Voucher Why not support this grand ...
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Book of the Week

Rosemary’s Book of the Week | 4 December

Rosemary’s Book of the Week Best Wishes by Richard Glover. Do you hate noisy restaurants, pre-ripped jeans and pedestrians who walk five abreast? Do you ...
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Views: 344

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing