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.
Kadampa Meditation Series | Inner Space: A Journey into the Mind
August 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free – $12 Lending Library, ground floor These classes offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our life and...
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You Can’t Tell Anyone, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
August 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm $15 – $30 Minerva Space I won’t tell, if you won’t. Playwright: Joanna Richards Directed by Ruby Abbott You Can’t Tell Anyone...
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You Can’t Tell Anyone, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
August 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm $15 – $30 Minerva Space I won’t tell, if you won’t. Playwright: Joanna Richards Directed by Ruby Abbott You Can’t Tell Anyone...
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You Can’t Tell Anyone, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
August 22 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm $15 – $30 Minerva Space I won’t tell, if you won’t. Playwright: Joanna Richards Directed by Ruby Abbott You Can’t Tell Anyone...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week | Cold River by Margaret Hickey
Cold River Margaret Hickey Deep
Our Library | New Releases, Recommendations & Author Talks – August 2026
New Releases, Recommendations & Author
Rosemary’s Book of the Week | Lest Angels Weep by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Lest Angels Weep Phillipa Nefri
Read up on the latest happenings at the BMI. From Library news and exhibitions to the latest word from board and staff.
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.
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.
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.
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.
