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Left: The Ballarat (Vic.) Mechanics Institute as the
Odeon Theatre (c.1960).
Above: Advertising as The Britannia. (C.1941)

Below: Australian and American soldiers use the
library facilities during World War II.

identify with "the Brit" (Britannia Theatre), than the Mechanics'
Institute.
It appears that, in the 21st century there is still a role for Mechanics'
Institute buildings, whether it be the Athenaeum in Melbourne, the
grand Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, or the humbler historic buildings
which are still a focus of activity in many country towns, such as
Birregurra, Lancefield, Acheron, Somerville, Bunyip or Rosedale. ê

Below: The Ballarat Mechanics Institute, restored c. 2015.

Acknowledgements and references:
These Walls Speak Volumes Pam Baragwanath and Ken James 2015.

Film Weekly annual listings of Australian Theatres and Exhibitors.
Murtoa centenary : a centenary of development 1872-1972,
Leo Rabl 1972

Ballarat Mechanics' Institute
Box Hill Historical Society
Foreword source: Wikipedia

Images:
CATHS’ archive

Copies of These Walls Speak Volumes are available from the Prahran
Mechanics' Institute.

CINEMARECORD # 89 19