heritage

guides dressed in period costum

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

15/11/2025 @ 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a…

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Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

31/10/2025 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour Read More »

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

12/12/2025 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour Read More »

guides dressed in period costum

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

31/10/2025 @ 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour Read More »

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour

15/11/2025 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm $27.50 Meet at the BMI entrance  Get Tickets Explore tales of the weird and supernatural – the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute at night. Looking for a unique way to explore Ballarat’s rich history and culture? Look no further than the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s Night Tours! This beautiful heritage building dates back to the 1860s and boasts a

Minerva’s Secrets | Night Tour Read More »

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 5, Recent Years | Ballarat Arts Foundation: 25 Years Old, Presented by Paula Nicholson

26/11/2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm $9.73 – $13.83 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 alumni group numbering over 500 artists who have

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 5, Recent Years | Ballarat Arts Foundation: 25 Years Old, Presented by Paula Nicholson Read More »

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 5, Recent Years | Ballarat’s Her Majesty’s Reinvention, Presented by Richard Nicholson

19/11/2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm $9.73 – $13.83 Bar open at 5pm $9.73 – $13.83 Humffray Room Get tickets Her Majesty’s Renovation 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 of the City of Ballarat. Speaker: Richard Nicholson

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 5, Recent Years | Ballarat’s Her Majesty’s Reinvention, Presented by Richard Nicholson Read More »

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 4, Remembrance Day | Recent War Memorabilia – from WW2 to Afghanistan, Presented by David Wright.

05/11/2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm $9.73 – $13.83 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.On ANZAC, Vietnam Veterans and Remembrance Days each year

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 4, Remembrance Day | Recent War Memorabilia – from WW2 to Afghanistan, Presented by David Wright. Read More »

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 4, Remembrance Day | A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook – Ballarat Connections to HMAS Sydney 2 in 1941

29/10/2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm $9.73 – $13.83 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 Navy was lost together with 645 crew in

Twilight Talks 2025, Season 4, Remembrance Day | A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook – Ballarat Connections to HMAS Sydney 2 in 1941 Read More »

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.