November 2015

With October over, up comes that November/December Christmas period of rush and pressure. But BMI has some great new books to relax with, just have a visit.During October BMI said goodbye to our website writer Roisin Kelly-Goldsmith who has helped the Mechanics’ over the last 5 months move into the Social Media communication forum with the website, Facebook, Twitter and others. Following a short course, BMI now has an iPad Air equipped with all Heritage Reading Room Books, Library Lending Books and DVD’s in stock available for searching in the Library. Just ask

the Librarian should you wish to do a search. Thanks go to Roisin and Amy Tsilemanis for their contribution.Welcome to Lee Taylor who has agreed to assist the BMI with the website and newsletter part time which Roisin contributed to so well. Should members wish to make additions to the website please contact Rosemary or the Marketing Committee.Upgrading the Wi-Fi at BMI has gained momentum this month, with NiTek adding Ethernet devices to the Heritage Reading Room, The Hooper Room, the Library and the Minerva Space. Due to the thick 1860’s walls the Humffray Room will be trickier, but the broadcast hubs located about the building will now support over 20 devices simultaneously using Wi-Fi on the broadband network. BMI is now really on the ‘information super-

highway’ for Members.Please make a note in your diary to have December 14 free: the Board would like to have a Christmas Breakup to thank all contributors to the working of the BMI during the year. The Board meeting will be at 3.30pm on the 14th of December, with drinks for Volunteers and Board at 4.30pm in the Humffray room.Much work is being done behind the scenes and soon many projects will reach completion, but may all Members, Volunteers and Staff be safe and well over the next coming months.

Graham Gooding,President.

The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Newsletter

Ballarat Film Society

The Fall - November 12thFilmed at stunning locations in 18 countries, this film blends drama with a fantasy narrative constructed by its two central characters, a man and child in hospital. In 1920s Los Angeles while rehabilitating in hospital after a fall, 5 year old Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) strikes up a friendship with Hollywood Stuntman Roy (Lee Pace), who is broken, betrayed and suicidal. Roy begins to tell Alexandria about the magical group of heroes in a mythological land ruled by Governor Odious.

Welcome to our new members Bernadette Murphy & Graham Hammond

News from the President

I love exploring the many gems of the BMI, and this month I turn my eye to the beautiful Heritage Reading Room and the hardworking volunteers that look after it and its amazing collection of books and treasures.

Marian Blythman and Wilma Bridges sat down with me for a chat about the great work they are doing, including an exhibition currently on display of Book Portraits from the collection.

The exhibition coincides with the Archibald Prize showing at the Art Gallery of Ballarat until November 15th and Wilma says they were inspired by seeing the Young Archies portraits popping up around town so thought why not do an Old Archies? Some of the images on display are

old indeed, yet reveal an impressive range of artistic styles. The exhibition also contains reading and printing artefacts from the BMI collection and is a must see for anyone interested in art and history.

Wilma and Marian say this is just the first of many themed exhibitions in the pipeline, and are excited about sharing the rich material

housed in the Reading Room, and the beautiful heritage and friendly atmosphere the space eminates.

As we speak, an eager researcher works around us, the retired Dr John Garner, looking at the collection’s heritage medical books. It is a true haven for booklovers and researchers and the busy volunteer team are at work cataloguing and working to make the place increasingly accessable.

The Reading Room also proves to be an inspiring place for artists and

later this month will be one of the unique venues for the 24 Hour Experience, an event that “unfolds in real time, offering 24 distinct live works in a different Ballarat location on the hour, every hour, over a twenty-four hour period” over Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of November. At 2am, audiences will be serenaded by a choir led by local wonder Stella Savy, bringing together “old tomes with beautiful voices.”

BMI Board members Phil Roberts and Ann Cato say they are excited to be part of the program which provides a great opportunity to showcase the institute. I think we can all agree with Phil that “the BMI is arguably the best example of a 19th Century Mechanics Institute in Australia. We should all be proud of its magnificent appearance and wonderful facilities.”

Come for a visit, and why not become a member and support the ongoing life of the institute while you’re there!

with Amy T

Story Box

For information about the 24 hour experience24hourexperience.com.au/portfolio_page/readingroom/

To discover more about BMI Researchballaratmi.org.au/heritage/research-procedure

The final Twilight Talk for 2015 will feature Andrew Wallace – President of the Ballarat Historical Society.

Andrew will speak about the “Capture the Vision” project, and will accompany the talk with historical

and contemporary photos of Ballarat.

Friday November 20Humffray Room

Wine & Cheese 5pmTalk commences 5.30pm

$6 members$10 non-members

Authorof the month

Recommended Reads

Peter James

Peter James is the author of several very successful thrillers, two of which have been made into successful TV films. Peter was born in 1948 and lives in Sussex near Lewes. He is well known for his series of Inspector Roy Grace.

After YouJo Jo Moyes

Lou Clark has lots of questions. Like how she ended up working in an airport bar, watching other people jetting off to new places or whether her close knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago and will she get over the love of her life. What Lou does know is something has to change.This long-awaited sequel to Me Before You is a tender, funny and hopeful look of love, grief and life. Bumper box of tissues is required.

The Secret ChordGeraldine Brooks

A rich & utterly absorbing novel about the life of King David.The Secret Chord provides new context for some of the best known episodes of David’s life for those who love him or fear him.This beautifully written unvarnished saga of faith, desire, family, ambition, betrayal & power will enthral her many fans.

Island HomeTim Winton

Island Home is the story of how Winton’s relationship with the Australian landscape came to be and how it has determined his ideas, his writing and his life.

MYSTERYEarly One Morning VirginiaBailyOne Grave Too Many Beverly ConnorThe Moth Catcher Ann CleevesDead Water Ann CleevesThin Air Ann CleevesBlue Lightning Ann CleevesStar Fall Cynthia Harrod EaglesThe Dungeon House Martin EdwardsThe Girls Lisa JewellThe Unbexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra V KhanCriminal Confections Colette LondonTreachery At Lancaser Gate Anne Perry

NOVELPretending to Dance Diane ChamberlainThe Separation Dina JefferiesPalace of Tears Julian Leatherdale After You Jo Jo MoyesThe Natural Way of Things Charlotte Wood

ROMANCEA Few of the Girls Maeve BinchyBetween Sisters Cathy Kelly

AUSTRALIANWhisper Her Name Jennifer BaciaA Very Public Scandal Jennifer BaciaThe Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks Legacy of Greyladies Anna JacobsIsland Home Tim Winton

SCANDANIVANOpen Grave Kjell Eriksson

Bookof the month

New Releasesfor November

Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute

Established 1859

117 Sturt St Ballarat, Vic 3350

www.ballaratmi.org.auP: (03) 5331 3042e: library@ballaratmi.org.au

Library hours:Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pmSaturday: 9:30am - 12pm

For venue hire enquiriesP: 0419 677 713e: bookings@ballaratmi.org.au

Photo BoardImages from the fun and glamour of Luxville in the Minerva Space on

October 10.