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.
Sin City explores organised crime in Sydney, from the sly grog dealers and drug pushers of the 1920s to the corrupt criminal networks of the 60s, 70s and 80s that ran most of Sydney.
This hard hitting exhibition and hard cover book 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.
The exhibition explores the strict prohibition laws that opened the door to organised crime in wartime Sydney during the 1940s, through to the big time casinos in the 1970s that kicked it right off its hinges during the years of the Askin Government.
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.
Major allegations of corruption levelled at senior police and politicians from 1900 through to the end of the Wood Royal Commission in 1997 are examined, including the cases of Shirley Briffman and Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, who died mysteriously after giving evidence against NSW police. (From the press release)
Book released
1 May 2010
RRP $19.95 128 pp, 70+ images
Author: Tim Girling-Butcher
Publisher: Historic Houses Trust of NSW
Distributed nationally by Thames & Hudson
Exhibition
Until May
Justice & Police Museum,
cnr Albert & Phillip Streets, Circular
Quay. Open daily, 10am-5pm
