Cunning Men and Women: Folk Magic and home remedies of colonial Victoria
Saturday 2 May 2026 at 12:00PM
Melton Library & Learning Hub
Event Description
Step back in time to a world where charms, talismans, and 'cunning men' sit uneasily beside the rise of modern medicine.
In this richly illustrated presentation, historian Dr David Waldron uncovers the hidden world of colonial Australia’s folk healers and fortune tellers - the figures who moved along the blurry line between magic, faith, and science. Drawing on remarkable handwritten texts and precious artefacts, Dr Waldron explores the potions, charms, spells, and home-made remedies used to treat everything from burns and rheumatism to kidney stones and 'bad airs.'
Through the lives of convict women and the traces they left behind, concealed objects, 'witch marks', and scars, this talk reveals how ordinary people used magic and folk medicine to survive grief, poverty, and uncertainty in a harsh new land.
When
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Saturday 2 May 2026
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Contact
Where
Melton Library & Learning Hub
31 McKenzie Street
Melton VIC
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Event Partner
The Heritage Festival is on from Friday 24 April to Saturday 9 May 2026. Find more events at melton.vic.gov.au/heritagefestival
Bookings
Please log in with your library credentials to reserve your place at this event. You may also book by phone, email or at your nearest library.
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Memoir Writing Workshop | 28 April 2026 at 1:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
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| Author Talk: 'Black Convicts' with Santilla Chingaipe | 30 April 2026 at 6:30PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 13+ | |
| Author Talk: 'Black Convicts' with Santilla Chingaipe | 30 April 2026 at 6:30PM | Online Event | Ages 13+ | |
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| Rockbank Inn Walking Tour with Abode Restoration | 2 May 2026 at 10:00AM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
| Rockbank Inn Open Day | 2 May 2026 at 10:00AM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
| Rockbank Inn Walking Tour with Extent Heritage | 2 May 2026 at 10:30AM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
| Rockbank Inn Walking Tour with Abode Restoration | 2 May 2026 at 11:00AM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
| Rockbank Inn Walking Tour with Extent Heritage | 2 May 2026 at 11:30AM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
| Rockbank Inn Walking Tour with Abode Restoration | 2 May 2026 at 12:00PM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
| Rockbank Inn Walking Tour with Extent Heritage | 2 May 2026 at 12:30PM | Rockbank Inn Heritage Site | ||
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Map
Talks And Workshops Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Author Talk: Demet Divaroren | 6 May 2026 at 11:30AM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Ages 12+ | |
| The Word Crafters Society | 6 May 2026 at 6:00PM | Online Event | Ages 16+ | |
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| Author Talk: Demet Divaroren | 8 May 2026 at 4:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 12+ | |
| Grant Writing: Practical Tips for Aspiring Authors | 11 May 2026 at 12:30PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Adult Event | |
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Youth Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check Mates: Learn to Play Chess | 29 April 2026 at 6:00PM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | ||
| STEM Foundation | 30 April 2026 at 4:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 9-14 | |
| STEM Masters | 30 April 2026 at 5:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 10-14 | |
| Author Talk: Demet Divaroren | 6 May 2026 at 11:30AM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Ages 12+ | |
| Check Mates: Learn to Play Chess | 6 May 2026 at 6:00PM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | ||
| STEM Foundation | 7 May 2026 at 4:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 9-14 |
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| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yesterday is History Part One – Generations | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
| Preschool Storytime: Heritage Festival | 28 April 2026 at 10:00AM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 3-6 | |
| After Schooligans: Heritage Festival | 28 April 2026 at 3:45PM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Ages 5-12 | |
| After Schooligans: Heritage Festival | 28 April 2026 at 3:45PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 5-12 | |
| Preschool Storytime: Heritage Festival | 29 April 2026 at 10:00AM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub |
Adult Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Board Games | Tomorrow at 10:00AM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Adult Event | |
| Yesterday is History Part One – Generations | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
| Film Club: Charade (1963) | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Adult Event | |
| English Conversation Club | 28 April 2026 at 10:00AM | Online Event | Ages 16+ | |
| Knit And Chat | 28 April 2026 at 10:00AM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
| English Conversation Club | 29 April 2026 at 10:00AM | Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub | Ages 16+ |
History Events
| EVENT NAME | Date | LOCATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yesterday is History Part One – Generations | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
| Genealogy Help | 29 April 2026 at 10:00AM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Adult Event | |
| Digitise Your Family Photos and 8mm Film | 30 April 2026 at 2:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | FULL |
| Digitise Your Family Photos and 8mm Film | 30 April 2026 at 2:30PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
| Digitise Your Family Photos and 8mm Film | 30 April 2026 at 3:00PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ | |
| Digitise Your Family Photos and 8mm Film | 30 April 2026 at 3:30PM | Melton Library & Learning Hub | Ages 15+ |