food

The Drinks That Made Ballarat

22/05/2024 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm $106.14 An all-drinking, all-eating exploration of the booze-fuelled birth of colonial Ballarat. Starting with a native botanical cocktail and snacks at Ballarat’s newest distillery, Itinerant Spirits, your expert guides – award-winning food and wine writers Richard Cornish, Max Allen and Ballarats own Zac Hill – will lead you on an indulgent, leisurely and atmospheric evening walking…

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Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Regional | Once Upon a Time

17/11/2023 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm $299 Once Upon a Time is a five-course degustation matched with a superb collection of wines, delivered in the basement of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, a room that was intended to be a restaurant but never came to be. Now, 153 years after its creation, we’re bringing it to life for one night with Peasant’s signature

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Fundraiser for Ballarat RSL & BMI

$33 per person

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults

Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm. 

BMI Fundraising Events book donation promotional image

Calling for Pre-loved books

These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities

We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.

Spring Season, History Talks:

Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Vintage Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop

Sunday 6 September at 2pm - Cost $65

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar

Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book 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.