Most people would have seen, or at least know of the Roman Polanski film ‘Rosemary’s Baby’.

The novel was written by Ira Levin and published in 1967.

Did you know that Australia is mentioned on more than one occasion in the book as a location for witchcraft and devil worshipping? In fact, the specific town named is Cessnock, NSW.

I have copied the exerpts below.

“…and the Castevets in 7A, heard (“Roman! Where’s Terry?”) but unseen, were either recluses or comers-and-goers-at-odd-hours. Their door was opposite the elevator, their doormat supremely readable. They got air mail letters from a surprising variety of places: Hawick, Scotland; Langeac, France; Vitória, Brazil; Cessnock, Australia.“

“Do you come from Australia?” Rosemary asked, when the carpet had been blotted, the tray safely kitchened, and the Castevets seated in straight-backed chairs.

“Oh no,” Mr. Castevet said, “I’m from right here in New York City. I’ve been there though. I’ve been everywhere. Literally.”

“This book was published in 1933,” Rosemary said; “there were covens in Europe—that’s what they’re called, the groups, the congregations; covens—in Europe, in North and South America, in Australia; do you think they’ve all died out in just thirty-three years?

Interesting, don’t you think?