Member drive for BMI ahead of fest

WITH next month’s Heritage Festival fast approaching, the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute board has released their program for the city-wide cultural event.

But a key part of their preparations is a major April member drive, running throughout the lead-up to the fest.

BMI board chair Paula Nicholson said the group is encouraging young people to get involved with the cultural space, the oldest organisation of its kind in Ballarat.

“We want to share the newly restored basement and other great things that have been happening behind the scenes, with more people,” she said.

“The building is considered a hidden treasure as is the heritage-listed collection, which includes rare books, folios and an oil painting that have been painstakingly restored in the past year, thanks to an additional Victorian Government Living Heritage grant.

“The lending library along with the beautiful spaces for hire, and a varied program of inclusive events, make the BMI a unique and precious community asset.

“Membership of this iconic organisation allows you to be part of the cultural and historical identity of Ballarat, and those who join before the end of April will get $10 off the annual membership fee and a free building tour.”

Ballarat Heritage Festival runs from Friday, 19 to Sunday, 28 May, and with the support of the City of Ballarat, the BMI is running a series of events where members have priority and discounted access.

“An exhibition of returned and restored articles, including the prized and rarely seen collection of original plant specimens gifted to the BMI in the late 1800s by Baron von Mueller, will be the cornerstone of the Heritage Festival at the BMI,” Ms Nicholson said.

Other events include The Artwork of the BMI looking at the restoration of painting, The Girl in the Bonnet and more, an introduction to the history of the BMI heritage-listed collection and its future,

an industry workshop for cultural and creative industry workers, an intro to the thousands of photographs in the BMI’s custodianship, and more.

The Twilight Talks series will continue through the Heritage Festival with topics like the BMI heritage collection restoration project, and Chinese history in Ballarat on the agenda.

BMI member John Spicer said he would recommend anyone get involved with the institution and its offerings.

“I love going into the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute because the faces are friendly, and everyone has a smile on their faces,” he said.

“It’s the library that I visit regularly and Rosemary and Mark, as well as all the others, assist in good thrillers to read.

“The knowledge Rosemary has to recommend authors that I’ve never heard of will guarantee me a good ‘whodunnit’ novel or series of novels. I can only say thank you, and I’m glad my membership continues.”