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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220927T140000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220927T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220804T055529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220804T055733Z
UID:21285-1664287200-1664290800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Day Tour of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/tours-of-ballarat-mechanics-institute-september-4/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/tours-banner-draft-cropped.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220928T170000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220928T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220602T003737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220907T233638Z
UID:19231-1664384400-1664391600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2022 | Season 2 | Session 4
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-2022-season-2-session-4/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/tt-banner-22-2-e1654128079849.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220929T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220929T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220915T231913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220915T233104Z
UID:21779-1664456400-1664463600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Current Affairs Dialogue | Discussion Group
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/current-affairs-dialogue-3/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Current-Affairs-logo-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220929T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220929T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220930T060021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221124T002915Z
UID:22908-1664456400-1664463600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Current Affairs Dialogue | Discussion Group | NOW POSTPONED
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/current-affairs-dialogue/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Current-Affairs-logo-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221013T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221013T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220810T043837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221010T023454Z
UID:21335-1665655200-1665666000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt |  One space available
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/book-making-workshop-with-maggie-dannatt-13-october-22/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Art programs,BMI Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/concertina-books.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221013T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221013T213000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220919T050928Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230912T011455Z
UID:22474-1665687600-1665696600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society - Quo Vadis\, Aida?
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-quo-vadis-aida/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1_g_5Z4Kng926xzfndFfP_DA.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221018T110000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221018T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220921T011745Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221017T205934Z
UID:22558-1666090800-1666094400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Chris Hammer | Now cancelled
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/chris-hammer-lyn-yeowart/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/chris-hammer.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221020T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221020T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220810T054713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220810T062741Z
UID:21379-1666260000-1666270800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | 20 October 22
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/book-making-workshop-with-maggie-dannatt-20-october-22/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Art programs,BMI Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/concertina-books.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220927T103000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220927T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220930T060631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221124T033024Z
UID:22917-1664274600-1664280000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:The Reading Room | NOW CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-reading-room-2/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/the-reading-room-event-header-final-e1640069925423.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221027T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221027T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220810T054809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220810T062442Z
UID:21381-1666864800-1666875600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | 27 October 22
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/book-making-workshop-with-maggie-dannatt-27-october-22/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Art programs,BMI Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/concertina-books.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221027T133000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221027T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220930T060021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221026T040021Z
UID:22915-1666877400-1666882800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Current Affairs Dialogue | NOW POSTPONED TO 24 NOVEMBER
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/current-affairs-dialogue-2022-10-27/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Current-Affairs-logo-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221102T170000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221102T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220712T011044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221004T211333Z
UID:20272-1667408400-1667415600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2022 | Season 3 | Now Postponed to February 2023
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-2022-season-3-session-1/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twilight-talks-gold-black-cropped.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221103T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221103T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194536
CREATED:20220810T054516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220810T061930Z
UID:21376-1667469600-1667480400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Book-making Workshop with Maggie Dannatt | 3 November 22
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/book-making-workshop-with-maggie-dannatt-3-november-22/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Art programs,BMI Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/concertina-books.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221106T140000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221106T153000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20211008T235012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221006T010759Z
UID:13021-1667743200-1667748600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Salon Sessions: The BMI in partnership with Duo Latte
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/salon-sessions-the-bmi-in-partnership-with-duo-latte/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Art programs,Classical Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bmi-web-image-duo-latte-v3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221108T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221108T213000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20220919T045443Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220919T050039Z
UID:22469-1667934000-1667943000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society - First Cow
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-first-cow/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/first-cow-image.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221111T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221111T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221017T020814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221017T020814Z
UID:23536-1668195000-1668200400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Eric Bogle Live
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/eric-bogle/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Externally Produced Event,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/EHI949825-f2c48c87977b4979b7ff14c93cc4548f.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Leica Show":MAILTO:lorena@leicashow.com.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221112T200000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221112T213000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221017T020334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221017T020334Z
UID:23531-1668283200-1668288600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kings of the Blues
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kings-of-the-blues/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Externally Produced Event,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/5333-Kings-Blues-Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Leica Show":MAILTO:lorena@leicashow.com.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221116T180000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221116T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221003T041413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221111T003902Z
UID:22960-1668621600-1668627000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:In conversation with Fleur McDonald
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-fleur-mcdonald/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/fleur-mcdonald.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220929T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220929T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20220930T060021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221124T002915Z
UID:22908-1664456400-1664463600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Current Affairs Dialogue | Discussion Group | NOW POSTPONED
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/current-affairs-dialogue/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Current-Affairs-logo-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220927T103000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220927T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20220930T060631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221124T033024Z
UID:22917-1664274600-1664280000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:The Reading Room | NOW CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-reading-room-2/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/the-reading-room-event-header-final-e1640069925423.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221206T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221206T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221116T020355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221122T005902Z
UID:25054-1670347800-1670355000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Meet the Author | Once Were Wild by Leslie Scott
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/meet-the-author-leslie-scott-once-were-wild/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Culture,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/atdw-images3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221208T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221208T213000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20220919T051220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230912T011447Z
UID:22478-1670526000-1670535000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society - Beyond the Wasteland
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-beyond-the-wasteland/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MV5BM2MxOTQ2ZGYtNGJmNi00MDAyLThhOGMtNDJmM2M3NDhiNzZkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTEyOTg2OTE@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221209T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221223T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221127T221721Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221221T095624Z
UID:31932-1670580000-1671807600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Exhibition of works | A TUK - Nyibol Deng
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/exhibition-atuk-nyibol-deng/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,The Collection
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/258876547_452349379567739_8714906943474029504_n.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221217T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221217T140000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20220927T030339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T235354Z
UID:22652-1671267600-1671285600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:BMI Book Sale
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bmi-book-sale/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Market
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/book_sale_10_1_square-e1640068474344.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221218T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221218T140000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20220927T034250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T235041Z
UID:22664-1671354000-1671372000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:BMI Christmas Maker Market and Book Sale
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bmi-christmas-maker-market-and-book-sale/
LOCATION:Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up\, 512 Macarthur Street\, Soldiers Hill\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Market
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/maker_image-e1628392488945.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230201T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230201T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221213T235025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221214T000356Z
UID:32169-1675279800-1675285200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Choose Happiness | A Public Talk\, Buddhist Monk\, Gen Kelsang Dornying
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/choose-happiness-a-public-talk-buddhist-monk-gen-kelsang-dornying/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Choose-Happiness-PT-Ballarat-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230208T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230208T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221104T022223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230125T020134Z
UID:24062-1675877400-1675882800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-2022-season-1/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/twilight-talks-gold-black-2023.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230209T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230209T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20230202T023137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230912T011442Z
UID:33922-1675971000-1675976400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society - La Strada
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-lastrada/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1600.jpg-e1675305711958.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230215T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230215T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20221104T022223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230214T054412Z
UID:24439-1676482200-1676487600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1 | More tickets released
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-2022-season-1-2023-02-15/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/twilight-talks-gold-black-2023.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230222T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230222T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T194537
CREATED:20230214T223946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230221T231709Z
UID:34385-1677087000-1677092400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2023 | Season 1 | Now moved to Minerva Space Level 3
DESCRIPTION:Victorian Occult Conference 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			May 16\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n8:30 am\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:00 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$140 – $150 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Minerva Space 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									The Victorian Occult Conference: ‘Mercurialia’ 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									A day of finely curated lectures on Western Esotericism also featuring an occult market\, speaker panel and door prizes. This year’s theme is “Mercurialia”; celebrating and exploring all things Hermetic in Western esotericism. The Victorian Occult Conference was created in 2025 to help bridge the gaps in Victoria\, Australia that exist between communities in different branches of the Western Occult Tradition\, also called the Western Esoteric Tradition and the Western Mystery Schools. These branches can include but are not limited to: Freemasonry\, Hermeticism\, Kabbalah\, Paganism\, Rosicrucianism & Theosophy; encompassing traditional practices like alchemy\, traditional witchcraft\, ceremonial magic\, astrology\, theurgy\, tarot\, divination & more. ​​ The conference brings together people from all these communities\, facilitating the spread of ancient spiritual techniques\, illumination and networking. Our hope is that this encourages comradeship\, eclecticism in occult practice and a holistic appreciation of the rich and varied esoteric knowledge held in these communities. New friendships and learning opportunities can be made.​​ We aim to offer a safe and inclusive space for like minded folk of all genders\, races\, ethnicities and ages to come together to learn with these shared values and visions. 								\n				\n									Lectures this year include 								\n				\n									Josephine Winter – “The Other Underworld: Witchcraft and Occultism in Australia\, 1970s-Present”. 								\n				\n									Setken – “A Monumental Egyptian Tomb In Melbourne”. 								\n				\n									Benjamin Turale – “The Enigma of the Mercury Archetype in Alchemy”. 								\n				\n									Dr. David Waldron – “The Almanac of a Cunning Man”. 								\n				\n									Shu Yap – “Secrets of the Mercury Cycle”. 								\n				\n									Peregrin Wildoak – “Go Gentle into that Good Night: the Esoteric Dimension of Death”. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Josephine Winter | Witch\, Teacher\, Author\, High Priestess Josephine Winter has been a Pagan or witch of some flavour for most of her life\, beginning as a daggy teen witch in the 1990s before joining Norse-inspired Heathenry and later the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca. She holds degrees in education\, literature\, and the arts. She lives in country Victoria\, in Australia’s leafy southeast. Over the last few decades\, Josephine has been a regular volunteer and organiser at various Pagan and Witchy events around Australia\, including the Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering\, the Australian Wiccan Conference (AWC) and countless meetups and public rituals. She co-founded the Pagan Collective of Victoria in 2014\, organising several Pagan Pride Days and the 2019 AWC under the Collective’s auspices. Josephine is a cofounder of Lepus Lumen\, a teaching collective of covens\, outercourts\, and solo practitioners founded in 2019 with Jason Tremain. The Lepus Lumen course is now taught across multiple Australian states and is offered free of charge. Josephine has written several books on witchcraft\, all available from good booksellers everywhere. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Setken | Artist & Researcher Setken is an accomplished artist and researcher whose work explores themes of mythology\, history\, and spirituality\, especially Kemetic (i.e. Ancient Egyptian) spirituality. With a background as an actor and another in visual arts\, and years dedicated to uncovering hidden stories from Australia’s past\, Setken brings a unique perspective to historical narratives. Passionate about preserving cultural heritage\, Setken combines meticulous research with creative expression to shed light on forgotten histories. His documentaries have won awards on the alternative film festival circuit. His paintings have been featured in academic Egyptology books\, including on the cover of one\, and most recently in the Complete Encyclopedia Of Egyptian Deities. His book The King Of Melbourne: the spiritual life of David Syme\, his newspaper The Age\, and the legacy of his monumental tomb is being published in 2026. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Benjamin Turale | Lab Alchemist & Teacher Benjamin Turale is a practicing laboratory alchemist whose work spans the three kingdoms of nature\, specifically the vegetable\, animal and mineral/metallic kingdoms\, with a focus on metallic alchemy and the antimonial path to the Magnum Opus (Great Work). His creative output also focuses on the manufacturing of spagyric products and teaching traditional Hermetic alchemy through his enterprise the Temple of Mercury\, for which he received the prestigious Paracelsus Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Benjamin has been a teacher in one form or another since 2007. A former psychotherapist and university lecturer\, now full-time Hermetic alchemist\, he has a diploma in Hermetic Science from the International Alchemy Guild (IAG). Having also studied at the now closed Paracelsus College in Australia\, he completed his training in the Frater Albertus alchemical lineage under Robert Allen Bartlett in the USA. Benjamin has spoken at many occult conferences internationally. He currently serves the IAG as Director of Education and on the executive board. Benjamin’s focus is to preserve and pass on the Hermetic tradition. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Dr. David Waldron | Associate Professor Dr. David Waldron is an Associate Professor of History at Federation University Australia\, specialising in folklore and community heritage. He is the author of Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival (2008)\, Shock! The Black Dog of Bungay – A Case Study in Local Folklore (2010)\, Snarls from the Tea-Tree: Victoria’s Big Cat Folklore (2013)\, editor of Goldfields and the Gothic: A Hidden Heritage and Folklore (2016)\, and author of Aradale: The Making of a Haunted Asylum (2020). Dr Waldron is widely involved in public history through festivals\, tours\, and multimedia\, including the Ballarat Heritage Festival and the award-winning podcast Tales from Rat City (winner of the 2019 National Trust People’s Choice Award & the 2023 Victorian Community History Award). In the tabletop role-playing community\, he is an award-winning writer whose scenario William Bailey’s Haunted Mansion received a Silver ENNIE and a Victorian Community History Award\, and The Last Dance of Lola Montez was nominated for an ENNIE. He is also a TEDx speaker and dramaturg. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Shu Yap | Teacher & Consultant Shu Yap is a globally recognised consulting astrologer\, writer\, and teacher\, based in Central Victoria\, Australia\, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Certified through the Melbourne School of Astrology and the School of Traditional Astrology in London\, with a passion for Medieval Astrology throughout the Persian\, Arabic and Latin periods\, Shu maintains an international consulting practice and lectures to professional audiences worldwide. Shu leads the Medieval Astrology Certificate program at Kepler College\, mentors foundational to advanced students\, and contributes monthly planetary forecasts for The Interpsycle Observator. Shu is also a dedicated practitioner of Jyotish under the lineage of Śrī Achyutānanda Dāsa of Orissa\, India\, bringing an integrated Eastern and Western perspective to her research\, teaching\, and practice. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Peregrin Wildoak | Esotericist Author of By Names and Images: Bringing the Golden Dawn to Life\, Peregrin was born in Warwickshire\, UK and emigrated to Perth\, Western Australia at age 12\, where he has lived ever since. In his youth he came into contact with the western mystery traditions and was initiated into the Golden Dawn\, eventually running an Order based in Perth. He holds a Masters of Divinity and has received initiation and training in several other traditions including Wicca\, Vajrayana Buddhism and an Isis Mystery School. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									More about The Victorian Occult Conference  								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Cost: $140 – earlybird\, until 31 January 2026 								\n				\n									Cost: $150 – Thereafter Speakers and stallholders will be donating door prizes\, all ticket holders are automatically eligible.   								\n				\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-2022-season-1-2023-02-22-2/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/twilight-talks-gold-black-2023.png
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