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So what's new at the Mechanics'?

Activities Database

This database contains information regarding the early days of the BMI, from 1859 through to activities in the newly constructed building in Sturt street. It provides a good impression of how Ballarat consolidated from a tent city (Eureka  uprising in 1854) to a vibrant and progressive place by 1859.
The entries so far have been taken from newspapers of the day. Further entries will also include information from the BMI correspondence archives and other sources. Click here to enter the database.

Restoration Grant

State and Regional Development Minister John Brumby has announced funding of $1.5 million as the first stage of redevelopment of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, particularly to secure the envelope of the building and to enable future use of the historic theatre.
"The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute is one of the most significant examples of Ballarat's built heritage and the product of the Cities rich goldfields history," Mr. Brumby said. 
The announcement was made at a function at the Institute on November 4th. 2005.
Heritage Victoria will manage the restoration project.

Broadband Internet Access  The institute has recently installed a fibre optic cable broadband connection for the use of members. This allows fast internet searching for research and on-line access to our reference and fiction databases. 
It is not available to non-members or for casual email use. 

The Reference collection has been catalogued and together with the fiction now comprise about 27,000 entries on the Mechanic's database. Search the complete listing of reference, non-fiction and fiction titles and FIND-A-BOOK.

Volunteer Database Programs
Three new computer programs have been commenced, one being the compilation of a database of the archives of correspondence, artifacts, publications, posters and any other relevant item that has been part of the BMI since 1859, (and there are thousands of these), and the formation of an interactive database of newspaper and other published items of local and historical interest. This incorporates the imaging of items and storing them in the database. New software and hardware recently installed has enabled these projects to commence. The archives database now has nearly five thousand records completed, quite a lot with images of the article incorporated. 
A comprehensive study is being made, and a database formulated of the performances and uses of the theatre since 1860, when it seated 1000 people and was used for lectures, exhibitions and variety shows etc. The study also includes the era of bioscopes, silent movies, and the period of use as the 'Britannia' picture theatre. 

click on photo to enlarge

Building Restoration 2003.. The scaffolding has been removed , revealing the original splendor of the 1869 facade. Careful restoration has ensured that the colours and finishes are consistent with those admired by the pioneers of Ballarat. Congratulations to the restoration builders and our heritage architect, together with all who have been involved with the works, in both waterproofing and ensuring that Ballarat will retain this icon in good condition well into the future .
Minerva now stands proud on the head of the facade, with her new arm, a facelift and new spear.
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Building renovation work commenced early in 2004 to allow the third and fourth floor front upstairs rooms to reflect the original 1869 architecture with full renovation to heritage standard, while incorporating fittings,  wiring and heating to suit present day use.
There will also be improvements for disabled access to the building from Sturt St., as well as changes to the foyer layout, with the result that the historic ambiance of the 'Mechanics' will be enhanced.

A Call to Authors... and subscribers for the BMI Literary Journal. Volume 6 out now..
Authors and subscribers for Volume 7 now open.
For details of how you can subscribe ,  click here.

Just Released is the new BOOK ON CD
Citizens and Sports Ballarat and district 1916
compiled by M.M.McCallum

This Cd is produced by the Institute and is a valuable reference tool, as well as an informative read of the people of Ballarat and district in 1916. there are also over forty contempory advertisements and views of Ballarat included on the CD. Go to our Gifts page for more details.

Professor Abel's Mineral Collection. is a listing of a mineral display that was a world class collection in the Ballarat Mechanic's Institute. Find out more here.

Botany is a new category in the reference index.

Lithography This new page skims the surface of the lithographic illustration, particularly as it applies to our collection.