Our Objectives

The Friends of the Mechanics’ Institute at Lawson (FOTMIL) was formed to provide community support for the protection and preservation of the Mechanics Institute at Lawson ( the MIL) by promoting the performance of live music and theatre and other artistic endeavours in the Mechanics Institute, Lawson for the betterment of our community. We aim to retain live music performance in the Public Hall as a point of difference to events at large festivals and clubs etc. We have hosted exceptional artists like Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Slava & Leonard Grigoryan, Elena Kats-Chernin and Tamara Anna Cislowska, Simon Powis, The Vampires, Tim Bruer, Neil Sagewood, Pat Capocci, Lloyd Swanton quartet including James Greening, Nic Cecire and Gary Daley, Mike Nock trio, Andrew Dickeson quartet, Michelle Nicole quartet and the Affinity Quartet . All artists enjoyed playing in our intimate public hall space. Our resident piano is a Kawai upright, previously housed in the Springwood Civic Centre before that building was demolished. We have quality sound equipment and lighting acquired by fundraising. Martijn Hadders is our sound engineer and Chris Venn manages the lighting.

 

 

The committee of the Friends of The Mechanics Institute is working hard to promote live music performances at the hall. Please support our efforts by CLICKING HERE to become a member of the Friends for the sum of $35.00. As a member you are provided with priority in selection of seats for major shows and often receive a discount on ticket pricing. In addition your membership sends a strong message that our community supports the arts in the mid mountains.

Our mission is to attract the younger generations so that the principles of the founders of the Mechanics Institutes may be carried on through time.

In addition, our public venue, The Mechanics Institute is sponsored by a donation from our local Katoomba Bendigo Bank branch.