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 gave a brief address, of the story of the 1925 tournament. This current day tournament in 2025 was won by Geelong, with several matches being played in the Humffray Room […]
Ballarat Chess Club | Reinactment of the 1925 Chess Tournament Read More »
November 26 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Ballarat Arts Foundation: 25 Years Old The Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF) has been supporting the emerging artists of Ballarat for 25 years. The Foundation is completely community funded and supports artists from any genre, with an
November 19 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Her Majesty’s Reinvention This talk will examine the recent renovation of Her Majesty’s Theatre and explore the challenges, rewards and outcomes for the community that accompany transformational change to a treasured Heritage Building in the heart
November 5 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Recent War Memorabilia – from WW2 to Afghanistan. Left to right – Australian Service Medal – Afghanistan Medal – International Force East Timor Medal – Australian Service Medal for Korea – Iraq Medal – Vietnam Medal.
October 29 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook – Ballarat Connections to HMAS Sydney 2 in 1941 HMAS Sydney 2 Crew, 1934 It is nearly 84 years this November that the mighty pride of the Royal Australian
September 24 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Gold! Gold! A comparison between the Ballarat & Bendigo Goldfields. An overview of the production of gold and its implications from the goldrush era of the 1850s up until today in both the Ballarat and Bendigo
Twilight Talks 2025, Season 3, Spring Season | Gold! Gold! Bendigo – Ballarat Read More »
September 17 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Saving Dragons: The Life and Times of Russell Goldfield (Louey Yeung Man) Jack by Dianne Dempsey Russell Jack, the visionary founder of the internationally renowned Golden Dragon Museum, spent his life breaking barriers and preserving the
September 3 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Ballarat’s Henry Lawson, Unknown facts presented by Hedley Thomson The young Henry visited Ballarat, specifically to ‘bone up’ on the happenings at Eureka on Sunday 3rd December 1854; he proceeded to write numerous poems and prose
July 30 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library Rare Books in Mechanics’ Institutes Join our expert panel featuring librarians from three historic Victorian institutions: the PMI Victorian History Library (est. 1854), Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute (est. 1859), and Athenaeum Library (est. 1839). Delve into the rich history of these community
Rare Book Week Melbourne | Rare Books in Mechanics’ Institutes: Uncover Hidden Treasures Read More »
A colourful history of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and it’s people. By appointment only, (to organise a volunteer guide we require 24hrs notice). Group Tours: Group tours can also be accommodated on other days.
Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute | Ballarat Winter Festival 22 July Read More »
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm.
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20
Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
Linen & Lace Exhbition
Includes Devonshire Tea | $20
Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
