The Guardian | The Rural Newtork – I joined the oldest and most overlooked library in my town – and it feels like being part of a secret club – Dellaram Vreeland
The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute has had a reading room for 165 years but today it has just 530 members – and tens of thousands of ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
The Outlaw’s Daughter Anna Romer Notorious bushranger Henry Hawke has spent ten years in chains, but nothing could prepare him for the shackles of desire ...
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Update: Stella Day Out Ballarat
Stella Day Out Ballarat Direct from a sold out seasons in Melbourne, Byron Bay, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. Limited tickets still available | FREE booking. ...
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A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | November 2025
The Governor was especially pleased to have a tour with myself and Ellen. I’d like to thank Katrina Hill for her involvement in the tour. ...
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A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | November 2025
The Governor was especially pleased to have a tour with myself and Ellen. I’d like to thank Katrina Hill for her involvement in the tour. ...
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Ballarat Begonia Festival
7 to 9 March 2026 Festival Highlights Begonia Parade | Conservatory display | Family entertainment | Markets | Food and drink. Events at the BMI ...
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Ballarat Heritage Festival
21 – 24 May 2026 With Ballarat’s stunning Victorian architecture as the backdrop the annual festival highlights the city’s golden past and evolving future. Stay ...
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School tour of the BMI – October 2025
School Tours of the BMIOn 9 October the BMI hosted students from: Lucas Primary School Lal Lal Primary Delecombe Primary Buninyong Primary, and, Mt Egerton ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
Cactus Pear For My Beloved Samah Sabawi Don’t miss Samah at the BMI on Wednesday 5 November at 7.17pm. Samah will be in conversation with ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
The Swift Dark Tide Katia Ariel Don’t miss Katia at the BMI on Wednesday 5 November at 6pm. Katia will be in conversation with author ...
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Brian Chapman & Friends, Three Russian Piano Trios: Concert Review | Bronislaw Sozanski
New Releases, Recommendations & Author Talks
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
Winds of Change J Mary Masters Don’t miss Judith at the BMI on Tuesday 21 October at 6pm Book 5 in the Belleville Family Series ...
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Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute – Life Time Membership, Heritage Collection Volunteer, Marion Blythman
Marion Blythman Marion has been working on the BMI Heritage Collection for about 18 years! She loves working with her current volunteer team, Dani ...
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BMI Fashion Fundraiser Photos
Fashion Fundraiser September saw the BMI Fashion Parade event transform the Minerva into a glamourous catwalk setting, as almost 60 attendees enjoyed vintage fashions from ...
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A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | October 2025
October brings with it daylight savings, warmer weather (theoretically!) and of course the beautiful gardens of Ballarat really come alive. There are also many good ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
Don’t Say His Name Rachel Givney When Detective Stayer takes a job in the idyllic Australian beach town of Thoorgala, he hopes it will offer ...
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Our Library | New Releases, Recommendations & Author Talks – October 2025
New Releases, Recommendations & Author Talks
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CDS Victoria, Collection Deposit Scheme | Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute
The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is now registered as a charity for donations. We are raising funds to purchase new display shelves to improve access, usability, ...
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Minerva’s Secrets, Night Tours | Are on again, don’t miss out.
Minerva’s Secrets Night Tours are back. Two tours, 7pm and 9pm. Book Night Tours 5 events found. Today Upcoming Upcoming Select date. Minerva’s Secrets | ...
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Australian Heritage Festival | 2026 Theme: Change
AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Unearthed. 18 April to 18 May 2025. BMI related events will be listed here as they confirm.
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
One Night Rozzi Bazzani Don’t miss Rozzi at the BMI on Wesnesday 1 October at 6pm. When Detective Sergeant Bec Harpin answers a call for ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
Boney Creek Paula Gleeson Don’t miss Paula at the BMI on Thursday 25 September at 6.30pm. When several small-town locals die under mysterious circumstances, an ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
The Florentine Quilt Chrissie Bellbrae Don’t miss Chrissie at the BMI on Thursday 18 September at 6pm. ‘Three women connected in time to a medieval ...
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Rosemary’s Book of the Week
Saving Dragons: The Life and Times of Russell Goldfield (Louey Yeung Man) Jack Dainne Dempsey Don’t miss Dianne at the BMI for Twilight Talks on ...
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Ballarat Chess Club | Reinactment of the 1925 Chess Tournament
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 ...
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Our Library | New Releases, Recommendations & Author Talks – August 2025
New Releases, Recommendations & Author Talks
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Rex’s Snippets | The Basement… The Truth
Why are there windows in the basement? This is an updated account on the original article written by heritage architect, consultant and good friend of ...
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Rex’s Snippets | Cornish Pumping Engines
A Treatise On the 20th. June 1868, the secretary of the BMI, Mr. Batten, wrote to Mr. W.F.Fowler in London, the following… “Only one vol. ...
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Gift & Unveiling Function | From John Mildren OAM & Mildren Family
John Mildren OAM was the Federal Member for Ballarat 1980-1990. Prior to his election to Federal Parliament, he had been from 1970 a Senior Lecturer ...
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BMI Fundraising Events 2025
We have some important fundraising events coming up in Spring and we would love you to participate as either an attendee or sponsor. The funds ...
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Looking for an adventure next Tuesday at 2pm? Why not take a day tour of the BMI.
These tours are a wonderful way of learning about the history of this important part of Ballaarat’s heritage, still operating 6 days a week. As well ...
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Rex’s Snippets | Visiting the BMI? | Where are you?
Newspaper Reading Room | Victoria League Room (ground floor) Lending Library | Batten Room Stand in the entry to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and straight ...
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BMI Notables | Contribution by Neil Leckie | Dr James Robert Pound, Benefactor
James Robert Pound was born to Mr James Henry and Mrs Selina Maude (nee Walton) Pound at their home Lyndon in Riversdale Road Auburn, Victoria ...
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Would you like to submit a story or event to the BMI Newsletter?
BMI members are welcome to submit a story, news item or event to the BMI newsletter. If you would like to submit for the BMI newsletter ...
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Rex’s Snippets | The BMI The Early Days
This is a open file of the minutes of the Institute from the inaugural meeting in 1859 to the annual meeting in 1863. It shows ...
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From the Curator | MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works
Did you enjoy an Old Gold, Freddo Frog or Cherry Ripe chocolate over Easter? These much-loved chocolates were first manufactured by MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works. ...
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From the Curator | Messer & Opie
Old friends William ‘Bill’ Messer and Francis ‘Frank’ Opie first opened their tailors on Bridge Street in 1935. The two had first known each other ...
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From the Curator | The Ballarat Courier
This month we are featuring the old Ballarat Courier building on Sturt Street. The Courier was established by Robert Clark and Edward J. Bateman in ...
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Would you like to help in delivering BMI services
A call for expressions of interest for:1) Anyone with the RSA certificate (or anyone willing to undertake the ‘Responsible Service of Alcohol’ certificate) to volunteer ...
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Significance Assessment of the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute Collection
The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute has been selected to receive a Community Heritage Grant to the value of $5,500 (excluding GST) for the Significance Assessment of ...
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