A Tale of Two Cities
Page 31
Robert ‘Aussie Bob’ Trimbole. Born 19 March 1931. Struggling businessman who discovered he could make a fortune as the front man for the Griffith mafia. Key figure in organising the murder of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay. Connected to the Mr Asia heroin gang. Fled Australia in 1981 when tipped off he was under investigation by the Stewart Royal Commission. Escaped extradition when arrested in Ireland in 1984 and died a free man in Spain in 1987.
Donald Bruce Mackay. Born 13 September 1933. Ran a Griffith retail store called Mackay’s Furniture. Studied law and learnt Italian. Became known locally for his tough stance on drugs and his desire to expose local members of the crime group known as The Honored Society. Disappeared 17 July 1977 after having a drink at a local hotel. His body was never found.
Paul Delianis. Former head of the Victorian armed robbery and homicide squads. Involved in the investigations into the Great Bookie Robbery, the murders of Leslie Herbert Kane, Roger Wilson, Isabel and Douglas Wilson, Bob Trimbole and the Mr Asia Gang. The first policeman to grasp the significance of the Terry Clark drug syndicate and to realise it had infiltrated key law enforcement agencies in Australia. Retired in 1987 as Deputy Commissioner.
John Carl Mengler. Former head of the Victorian Homicide Squad. Chief Investigator Stewart Royal Commission and later National Crime Authority. Helped crack the Donald Mackay case after New South Wales police failed to do so. Involved in the investigations into Trimbole, the Mr Asia Gang and the murders of Isabel and Douglas Wilson. Described by the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘possibly the greatest detective of his generation.’ Retired as Deputy Commissioner Victoria 1990.
Peter Lamb. Spent three years with a wool-classing firm before joining the Commonwealth Police in 1961. Heavily connected to Operation Lavender and many of his investigations uncovered the corrupt links between New South Wales police and Sydney gangsters. Had three postings overseas as an Australian Federal Police liaison officer where he learnt the latest international organised crime investigation tactics. Promoted to Assistant Commissioner Federal Police, Director of Operations with Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales and General Manager of the National Crime Authority.
Frederick Joseph Parrington. Honest New South Wales policeman who doggedly investigated the murder of Donald Mackay. Unfortunately he was barking up the wrong tree. Concealed evidence from Victorian police in the hope of convicting the killers in New South Wales.
Brian Francis Murphy. Colourful Victorian detective with contacts on both sides of the fence. Deeply religious, a gregarious teetotaller with Irish charm and a persuasive manner. Charged and acquitted of manslaughter after a prisoner in his custody, Neil Stanley Collingburn, received fatal injuries in an interview room. Joined the Victoria Police 1954. Retired 1987.
Albert Jaime Grassby. Born Albert Grass Brisbane 12 July 1926. Immigration Minister in the Whitlam Government and colourful front man for multi-culturalism. But it was the political connection for the Griffith Honored Society that helped fund his election campaigns. Charged in 1980 with criminal defamation over asking state politician, Michael Maher, to read in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly a letter claiming Mackay’s widow Barbara and her family solicitor were responsible for the murder. Cleared of the charges in 1992. Died April 2005, his reputation deservedly in tatters.
Terrence John Clark. Born 1944. Small time New Zealand crook who became a big time international drug dealer. Made millions importing heroin into New Zealand, Australia and Britain. Ordered the murders of drug couriers Isabel and Douglas Wilson after he was told they were informing to police. Convicted of killing long-time drug associate Marty Johnstone, whose handless body was found in Eccleston Delph, a flooded quarry in the north of England. Died in prison 1983. Death listed as non-suspicious but there were suspicions he was killed by IRA inmates who suspected he was an informer.
Karen Soich. New Zealand lawyer who embarked on an affair with Terry Clark. Later regained control of her life and is now a successful entertainment lawyer in New Zealand.
Isabel and Douglas Wilson. Key couriers for the Mr Asia drug syndicate. Their bodies were found buried on the back beach at Rye, May 1979. The Wilsons were killed on the orders of the Mr Asia drug syndicate boss, Terrence John Clark, after corrupt police told him the couple were talking to Queensland detectives.
Gianfranco Tizzoni. Migrated to Australia 1955 and later naturalised. Became a private investigator and worked with notorious underworld figure Tom Ericksen as a debt collector. From 1971 became the Melbourne distributor of cannabis for the Griffith cell of the Mafia and distributed about 200 kilograms a week. Helped set up the murders of Donald Mackay and drug couriers Isabel and Douglas Wilson. Became a police informer code named ‘Songbird’ and died Italy July 1988 aged 53.
James Frederick Bazley. Known as Mr Cool. Career gunman and key member of the Painters and Dockers Union. Police allege he completed the contract killings of Donald Mackay and drug couriers Isabel and Douglas Wilson. Expected to die in jail but was released from prison in 2000 aged 75.
Russell Cox. Born Melville Schnitzerling Brisbane 15 September 1949. Became known as Cox the Fox because of his cool head and ability to plan armed robberies. Escaped from the maximum security Kattingal section of Long Bay Jail 3 November 1977 and spent 11 years on the run. Released from prison 2004 and returned to Queensland a reformed character. Remains a suspect for the murder of Brian Kane.
Thomas Christopher Domican. Born Ireland 1943. A London nightclub bouncer who migrated to Australia in 1968. A fearsome fitness fanatic with links to the New South Wales division of the Australian Labor Party. Has always rejected claims he was connected to the underworld. Charged with a series of offences, including murder and attempted murder in Sydney. Beat the lot.
THE CAST
SCREENTIME’S NEW CHANNEL NINE DRAMA
ROLE
ARTIST
Robert Trimbole
Roy Billing
Terry Clark
Matthew Newton
Allison Dine
Anna Hutchison
Chris Flannery
Dustin Clare
Dave Priest
Jonny Pavolsky
George Freeman
Peter O’Brien
Jim Bazley
Scott Burgess
Frank Tizzoni
Tony Poli
Joe Messina
Peter Phelps
Liz Cruickshank
Asher Keddie
Brian Alexander
Damian de Montemas
Laurie Prendergast
Teo Gebert
Dr. Nick Paltos
Wadih Dona
Andy Maher
Damon Gameau
Brian Kane
Tim McCunn
Les Kane
Martin Dingle Wall
Maria Muhary
Jenna Lind
Merv Wood
Anthony Phelan
Bill Allen
Jeff Truman
Warwick Mobbs
Matt Passmore
Ray ‘Chuck’ Bennett
Nathan Page
Young Alphonse Gangitano
Elan Zavelsky
Lennie McPherson
John McNeill
Vinnie Mikkelsen
Wayne Bradley
Doug Wilson
Gareth Reeves
Isabel Wilson
Ashley Fairfield
George Joseph
Harold Hopkins
Donald Mackay
Andrew McFarlane
Greg Ollard
Chris Sadrinna
Karen Soich
Katie Wall
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