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- Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Image Collection
  - Max Harris Images | MH 321 onwards
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Vintage lottery barrel with stars for BMI fundraising events

BMI Fundraising Events 2026

fundraiser, Important dates / By Mark

BMI Fundraising Events 2026 Read More »

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed & Fri: 10am – 4pm

Tue & Thu: 10am – 3pm

Saturday: 9:30am – 12pm

Public Holidays listed below.

Where are we?

117-119 Sturt Street
Ballarat Central
Victoria 3350 Australia

ABN 53 004 034 575

Library Contact

Rosemary McInerney
(03) 5331 3042
library@ballaratmi.org.au

Board & Staff Contact

Venue Contacts

Bookings
0419 677 713
bookings@ballaratmi.org.au

Liam Mudge
Venue Manager
(03) 5331 3042
venue@ballaratmi.org.au

Venue Hire DOCUMENTS

Library closures for the following Public Holidays

Australia Day Holiday
Tuesday 26 January, 2027

Labour Day
Monday 8 March, 2027

Good Friday
Friday 26 March, 2027

Easter Monday
Monday 29 March, 2027

ANZAC Day
Sunday 25 April, 2027

King’s Birthday
Monday 14 June, 2027

AFL Pre-Grand Final Holiday
Friday. 25 September, 2026

Melbourne Cup
Tuesday 3 November, 2026

Christmas Day
Friday 25 December, 2026

Boxing Day
Saturday 26 December, holiday Monday 28 December 2026

New Year’s Day
Friday 1 January, 2027

Festive season Library closures:

Monday 21 December, 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027 (open again Monday 4 January 2027 at 10am).

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Venue Contacts

Bookings
Venue Booking Coordinator
0419 677 713
bookings@ballaratmi.org.au

Liam Mudge
Venue Operations Manager
(03) 5331 3042
venue@ballaratmi.org.au

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed & Fri:
10am – 4pm
Tue, Thu:
10am – 3pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 12pm

Library closures on the the following public holidays

Australia Day Holiday
Tuesday 26 January 2027

Labour Day
Monday 8 March 2027

Good Friday
Friday 26 March, 2027

Easter Monday
Monday 29 March, 2027

ANZAC Day
Sunday 25 April 2027

King’s Birthday
Monday 14 June 2027

AFL Pre-Grand Final Holiday
Friday. 25 September, 2026

Melbourne Cup
Tuesday 3 November 2026

Christmas Day
Friday 25 December 2026

Boxing Day

Saturday 26 December, holiday Monday 28 December 2026

New Year’s Day
Friday 1 January, 2027

Festive season Library closures:

Monday 21 December, 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027 (open again Monday 4 January 2027 at 10am).

Get in touch

(03) 5331 3042
library@ballaratmi.org.au

117-119 Sturt Street Ballarat Central
Victoria 3350 Australia

ABN 53004 034 575

Board Members & Staff Contact

Venue Hire Docs - CLICK HERE

BMI Newsletter Subscription

Copyright © 2026 Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

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BMI acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the BMI building stands.

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with Fiona Lowe

Tue 21 April at 6pm.

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults

Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct

Coming soon…

Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns

Coming soon…

Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.

Raise a Glass for Brass.

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm.

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm.

Coming in November…

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June

Ballart Seniors Festival

Celebrate at the BMI.

October 2025.

with Gail Holmes

Wed 4 June at 6pm.

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm.

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours on 20 & 21 May

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm.

guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm.

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets

More information

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May

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 Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May.

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Performance – 18 May.

Performance tickets

More information

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

BMI Fundraiser tickets here

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar

Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40

Purchase yours now

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

Give Now >

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.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:

The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows.

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing