Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

07/09/2026

Charlie Pickering and Friends - coming to Ballarat on Sunday 11 October at 2.15pm...

Find out more go to our Live Comedy Link in BIO.

Early Bird Tix close tomorrow at 6pm!

Early Bird Tix: $43 GA & $38 concession (from today to 6pm 8 September)
Full Price: $49 GA & $43 concession

Get tickets: go to our Box Office Link in BIO.

Charlie Pickering is a law graduate who decided the best use of his degree was to avoid it entirely. Political ju**ie, stand-up comedian, and reluctant TV host, his only real career requirement is that his name appear in the show title.

Before television, Charlie spent a decade touring internationally as a stand-up, picking up Best Newcomer nods at Edinburgh and Melbourne, plus a slot at Montreal's Just for Laughs.

He was a founding host of The Project in 2009, helping reshape how Australians consume the news.

In 2015 he launched The Weekly with Charlie Pickering on ABC, through his production company Thinkative Television, followed by The Yearly (since 2015) and the ABC's New Year's Eve coverage (since 2017).

He currently hosts ABC Drive in Melbourne and can also be heard talking (American) football on the podcast Any Given Sunday Australia.

Also featuring Tom Siegert (also The Surburban Footballer)
Tom Siegert burst onto the comedy scene in the mid 2000’s when, in only his second year performing, he represented Victoria in the national final of FHM’s Australia’s Funniest Man Competition.

Brad Oakes – The MC
Bradford Oakes (Brad, Oakesy) is a stand-up comedian of over 37 years professional experience. He has headlined and Emceed at every major stand-up venue in Australia.

07/09/2026

Rosemary's Book of the Week

'Things With Teeth By Moonlight' by P. A. Swanborough - To reserve go to our 'Library' webpage link in BIO - To find our Author Talks go to our 'Library' Link in BIO.

Don't miss Pam in conversation with Rebecca Fletcher on Wednesday 23 September at 6pm

'Things With Teeth by Moonlight' is an illustrated multi-genre collection of flash, micro-fiction and short stories covering loss, revenge, affection, and spending too much time in cafes.

Human and other creatures in urban, forested, or post-apocalyptic settings address hunger or love, pain or comfort, as best they can while the night is chill.

A Jewel in your hand, a pebble in your shoe. A low growl in the dark. Seventy-one tiny, disquieting, tales.

06/09/2026

Twilight Talks, Season 2 | 13 September - 28 October - Brought to you by: Community Bank Buninyong

Wed 13 September: A Brief, Selected History 'Herstory' of Nursing at Ballarat Base Hospital - Over the Years - Speakers: Emeritus Professor Margaret Bennett AM, Sarah Birtles & Shirley Jones.

After looking at what is a nurse in 2026, we briefly glance at the way in which nursing changed, quite dramatically, during the settlement of Ballarat, the influx of miners, and through the 19th 20th and 21st centuries.

Wed 30 September: Ideas of Love & Loss - In conversation with writer Anne Connor and poet Anne Gleeson.

In this conversation, writer Anne Connor explores with Australian poet Anne Gleeson ideas of love and loss, big challenges and small victories, as revealed in her most recent poetry collections, 'Small Acts of Purpose' and 'The Deepest Thing'.

Wed 7 October: The Importance of Ballarat East - Speaker Doug Bradby.

In the period 1832-1850 the Chartists of Britain tried and failed to extend Democracy to all male citizens. In the 1850‘s the Chartists of Ballarat succeeded. This talk will explore how the diggers of Ballarat obtained economic power, how they converted that economic power into political power, and what they did with that power.

Wed 28 October: 'The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party'.

'The Light on the Hill' is Ross McMullin’s acclaimed commissioned history of the ALP. Hailed as a “classic”, it covers all states and the federal scene comprehensively and accurately while maximising liveliness and readability. The research is prodigious, the narrative is action-packed, and the scope and span of the coverage is sweeping. The “warts-and-all” story is told through the people who made it, and is full of illuminating pen-portraits and anecdotes.

Find out more go to our Talks Webpage link in BIO. To get tickets go to our Box Office link in BIO.

05/09/2026

Vintage Fashion Parade | We only have a few tickets to sell, thank you to everyone supporting this popular fundraising event. Book now.

Go to our Box Office Link in BIO. Tickets can also be purchased at the BMI library.

The BMI vintage & Pre-loved Shop are showcasing their wares. Make time for a lovely get together. A glass of ch*****ne on entry with music accompaniment.

Once again our beautiful models will be displaying outfits from the Vintage shop, we hope you can join us. A Silent Auction will feature.

Afternoon Tea included, Complimentary Ch*****ne on arrival. A standard bar will also operate. Photos Erin M McCuskey

*****neAndFashion

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

Charlie Pickering and Friends - coming to Ballarat on Sunday 11 October at 2.15pm...

Find out more go to our Live Comedy Link in BIO.

Early Bird closes 8 September!

Early Bird Tix: $43 GA & $38 concession (from today to 6pm 8 September)
Full Price: $49 GA & $43 concession

Get tickets: go to our Box Office Link in BIO.

Charlie Pickering is a law graduate who decided the best use of his degree was to avoid it entirely. Political ju**ie, stand-up comedian, and reluctant TV host, his only real career requirement is that his name appear in the show title.

Before television, Charlie spent a decade touring internationally as a stand-up, picking up Best Newcomer nods at Edinburgh and Melbourne, plus a slot at Montreal's Just for Laughs.

He was a founding host of The Project in 2009, helping reshape how Australians consume the news.

In 2015 he launched The Weekly with Charlie Pickering on ABC, through his production company Thinkative Television, followed by The Yearly (since 2015) and the ABC's New Year's Eve coverage (since 2017).

He currently hosts ABC Drive in Melbourne and can also be heard talking (American) football on the podcast Any Given Sunday Australia.

Also featuring Tom Siegert (also The Surburban Footballer)
Tom Siegert burst onto the comedy scene in the mid 2000’s when, in only his second year performing, he represented Victoria in the national final of FHM’s Australia’s Funniest Man Competition.

Brad Oakes – The MC
Bradford Oakes (Brad, Oakesy) is a stand-up comedian of over 37 years professional experience. He has headlined and Emceed at every major stand-up venue in Australia.

04/09/2026

The BMI Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Monday 28 September at 5pm.

Find out more go to the Important Dates Webpage - link in BIO.

03/09/2026

BMI Book Sale - Coming Soon - Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 September | 10am - 2pm
Lending Library on the Ground Floor. FREE entry.
We would love to see you there.

03/09/2026

Author Talks coming to the BMI soon... To get tickets go to our Box Office link in BIO.

1. Pam Swanborough - 25 September at 6pm
2. Sally Mackinnon - 29 September at 6pm
3. Michael Robotham - 1 October at 6pm Michael Robotham
4. Monica McInerney - 5 October at 6pm Monica McInerney
5. Richard Glover - 23 November at 6.30pm Richard Glover

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02/09/2026

TICKETS ON SALE