Australian Penthouse

FROM crooked police, politicians and judges, through to the shysters, hucksters and thugs who ran Sydney’s sub terrain, few cities have experienced such overt corruption as Sydney during the 20th century.

Organised crime held a grip on the city and corruption was rife, infiltrating the top levels of politics, law and justice.

Focusing on the 1940s to the 1980s, the new Sin City exhibition at the Justice & Police Museum will examine some of the audacious crimes, fascinating people and various vice trades – from suburban bookmakers and sly-grog sellers to narcotics dealers and flashy illegal casinos – that bankrolled corruption.

By presenting a mixture of new interviews, short biographies, rare objects and a comprehensive news archive, Sin City will uncover the elements of Sydney that condoned and encouraged corruption, and expose some of the popular myths associated with this celebrated topic. Sin City lifts the lid on lives that were made and ruined by organised crime including key players such as George Freeman, Lennie Macpherson, Neddy Smith and Chris Flannery.

This hard hitting exhibition coincides with a hard cover book by the same name to examine some of the big names and illicit activities that once earned Sydney the sordid reputation as one of the most corrupt cities in the western world.

Continue reading “SIN CITY: CRIME AND CORRUPTION IN 20TH-CENTURY SYDNEY” »

If TV series Underbelly is anything to go by, a life of crime is a heady mix of violence, fast cars and faster women. But if you live by the sword, you can expect to die by the sword. Or in the case of today’s crims, at least get yourself a lucrative book deal.

Story: Denise Mooney

Continue reading “Feature: Prime Time Crime” »