• Suffrajitsu & Playing the Ghost | Ballarat Heritage Festival

    BMI - Multiple Spaces 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

    Participate in a suffragette rally and learn the art of suffrajitsu, then, explore Ballarat’s rich heritage of ghostly rituals and hoaxes. Two historical shows with a short interval. Suffrajitsu - See a suffragette rally and a Victorian Women’s self defence display of suffrajitsu, the noble art of self defence for women. Playing the Ghost - […]

  • Keep the Circle Unbroken – Ballarat

    BMI - Multiple Spaces 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

    Keep The Circle Unbroken features an incredible line-up of Australian musicians performing on a new album of the same name. Keep The Circle Unbroken is a series of concerts to be presented across Victoria's iconic regional towns this March featuring an incredible line-up of Australian musicians spanning two generations performing songs inspired by the Nitty […]

  • MICF Class Clowns | Ballarat Heat

    BMI - Multiple Spaces 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

    The search is on for Australia’s funniest teens! This event is your opportunity to be in the live audience at the Ballarat Heat of Class Clowns, and to see some up-and-coming comedians perfect their craft! Melbourne International Comedy Festival's one-of-a-kind national comedy competition for young people is now happening. Class Clowns aims to inspire, engage […]

  • Big Women | Presented by LadderFrame Theatre

    BMI - Multiple Spaces 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, Australia

    The newest local theatre company on the block, LadderFrame Theatre, is excited to show it's well received original show - Big Women. Under the guise of creative director Zara Wilson-Boyle and music director Chiara Angeli, the show has been constructed using influences of Physical Theatre and Verbatim Theatre; its script composed of real words spoken […]

Guides in period costume

Minerva's Secrets Night Tours

Night Tours

Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov

& Fri 12 Dec
 

Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm. 

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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.
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

Spring Season, History Talks:

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

Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 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

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Linen & Lace Exhbition

Includes Devonshire Tea | $20

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

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

Ballart Seniors Festival 

Celebrate at the BMI.

 October 2025

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

 Coming in November

Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

Raise a Glass for Brass

The Little Brass Band BMI Fundraiser

Sun 10 August at 2pm

 Coming soon

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

 Coming soon

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

Thu 16 Oct – 19 Oct 

Remembrance Day:

A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia

Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing