Ballart Pride Market

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

June 2 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Come help us celebrate the opening weekend of Pride Month with the Pride Month Market at the Ballaarat Mechanic's Institute. With art and craft stalls, trash and treasure and second hand goods stalls as well as the awesome Trans And Gender Diverse Clothing Swap and A Queer […]

Free

Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 4 | THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

May 15 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm $8 – $12 THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings […]

$8 – $12

Rock ‘n’ Roll with our Stars (Dancing with our Stars 24): Featuring James Bookman

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

Rock 'n' Rolling with Our Stars: Featuring James Bookman Get your dancing shoes out for a night of Rock n Roll feat. music by JAMES BOOKMAN and DJ BOZ. All funds raised towards the Ballarat Foundation Dancing With Our Stars 2024 This Rock n Roll night is getting bigger! If you are free this Saturday […]

$25 – $40

Twilight Talks 2024, Season 2, Session 2 | Not the Last Picture Show: The Lost City of Melbourne

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

This special edition of our regular Twilight Talks series will feature speakers discussing the history of cinema in Ballarat, complimenting our free exhibition. Just a year after the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph in 1895, the first screenings were held at the Mechanics' Institute, meaning many had their first ever experience of 'moving pictures' in […]

$10 – $15

Minerva Social Sunday | St Patrick’s Day Social | Scottish Country Dancing

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

Ballarat Scottish Country Dancing | St. Patrick's Day Social The Annual Minerva Social in the Minerva Space at the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute, 117-119 Sturt St, Ballarat (at the Melbourne end of Sturt St.) from 2.00pm - 5.30pm.​ But get there early to hear the welcome from our piper in the Edwardian bandstand across the street. […]

$25

Motown Mistletoe with Motor City Sounds

BMI - Minerva Space 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC

Live music is back, just in time for the holiday season! The BMI presents: Motown Mistletoe.Dance your way into Christmas with the sound of Motown and Soul. Motor City Sounds will be playing in the heart of Ballarat! This is the perfect event for your work breakup, a holiday outing with friends, or just a […]

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

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2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

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Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August 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

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

with Kylie Ladd

 Wed 25 June at 6pm

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing