Unlike the thunder and lightning that Lewis had watched as he sat out in the Petrie Terrace police barracks in Brisbane the night before he was sworn in as a young officer in 1949, this storm – a confluence of speed and fronts from unlikely directions – would take years to build.
But it would seemingly have a single target in its sight. And that target was Commissioner Terence Murray Lewis.
Author’s Note and Acknowledgments
Following the publication of Three Crooked Kings it became apparent that only a trilogy could do justice to the life and times of former Queensland commissioner of police, Terence Lewis, and all the attendant political intrigue and social history of the era. I am once again grateful to Terry for his cooperation and patience. As with the first volume, I have made every effort in Jacks and Jokers to offer a balanced story, and with the numerous narrative threads, Lewis was again offered the right of reply.
Again, I thank Doug Hall for his early encouragement.
I want to express my appreciation to current and former State and Federal police officers who gave me their time for this project. They include: Jim Slade, John ‘Bluey’ O’Gorman, Ron Edington, the family of the late Robert Walker, Barry Krosch, Les Lewis, Keith Smith, Peter Dautel, Dennis Koch, Ken Hoggett, John Huey, Geoff Pambroke, Ron Lewis, Arthur Volz, Bruce Wilby, the late Noel Creevey, Cliff Crawford, John Moller, Ian Hatcher, the late Abe Duncan, Fred Collins, Pat Glancy, Greg Early, Ross Beer, John Paul Lewis, Max Rogers, Brian Bennett, Bill Harrigan and the family of the late Tony Murphy.
I am particularly indebted to former Federal Narcotics Bureau agent John Shobbrook for his recollections and also for kind permission to quote from his extraordinary unpublished memoir. Courtesy of this project, I have been fortunate to establish another wonderful friendship with a man of integrity, former Licensing Branch officer Kingsley Fancourt, whose role in this saga has, I hope, been rightfully restored. Kingsley, you’re an inspiration, and here’s to many long conversations in the future. The Lewis trilogy has attracted many generous friends, none more so than former Licensing Branch detective and key whistleblower prior to the announcement of the Fitzgerald Inquiry in 1987, Nigel Powell. Thank you Nigel for all of your advice, assistance and camaraderie. Your friendship means an enormous amount. And thank you, Georgia.
Similarly, a heartfelt thanks to Mary Anne Brifman and her family for allowing me into their lives and for being so kind and generous.
I’m again enormously grateful to journalists Chris Masters and Phil Dickie for their epochal work and for their friendship. I would also like to pay tribute to a couple of other trailblazers – Quentin Dempster and Evan Whitton. Cheers also to Peter James, Tony Koch, Alan Hall, Paul Weston, Nan Dwyer, Trent Dalton, Ken Blanch and Michael McKenna. A special thanks to Hedley Thomas and Des Houghton. Thanks once more goes to former colleagues Michael Crutcher and David Fagan of News Queensland for unqualified support, continued with this book through the kindness and understanding of Christopher Dore, editor of the Courier-Mail and Peter Gleeson, editor of the Sunday Mail.
During the writing of this book, friend and Brisbane-based journalist Tony Reeves died suddenly while on vacation overseas. Mate, you are sorely missed, but live on in your books and your generosity of spirit. And thank you again to another gentleman, Ian Alcorn.
These books have been aided by the recollections and knowledge of an enormous number of people. I would like to pay tribute to: Sir Llewelyn Edwards, Peter Beattie, Mike Ahern, Terry White, Bill Hewitt, Henry Palaszcuk, Russell Grenning, Paul Braddy, Malcolm McMillan, Ross and June Fels, Edgar Bourke, Anne Marie Tilley, Debbie Kilroy, William Stokes, Carolyn Scully, Leonie Bahnemann, former Justice Bill Carter, Des Sturgess, Lee Kear, Richard Spencer, Andre Look, Ken Lord, Ruth Whitrod Blackburn, Ian Whitrod, Mervyn Carey, Jean Hudson, Dr Harry Akers, John Wayne Ryan, Dr Paul Wilson, Fiona McDonald, Terry O’Gorman, Richard Spencer and Jean Bowra, who transcribed the bulk of the Lewis interviews.
I am additionally indebted to: Alex Mitchell, Judith White, Phillip Knightley, Richard Lawson, Ron and Karen Condon, Marsha and Phil Pope and family, John Shakespeare and Anna-Lisa Backlund, Gillian Morris and Geof Hawke, and Gary Morris and Jo Gaha.
Several books and documents have been important to both Three Crooked Kings and Jacks and Jokers:
The Road to Fitzgerald and Beyond by Phil Dickie, UQP, 1989
In Place of Justice by Peter James, The Shield Press, 1974
The Sundown Murders by Peter James, Boolarong Publications, 1990
The Long Blue Line by W. Ross Johnston, Boolarong Publications, 1992
The Bagman by Jack Herbert with Tom Gilling, ABC Books, 2004
Before I Sleep by Ray Whitrod, UQP, 2001
The Prince and the Premier by David Hickie, Angus and Robertson, 1985
Trial and Error by Don Lane, Boolarong Publications, 1993
The Man They Called a Monster by Paul Wilson, Cassell Australia, 1981
A Life of Crime by Paul Wilson, Scribe, 1990
The Tangled Web by Des Sturgess, Bedside Books, 2001
Reform in Policing: Lessons from the Whitrod Era by Jill M. Bolen, Hawkins Press, 1997
Don’t You Worry About That! by Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Angus and Robertson, 1990
Honest Cops by Quentin Dempster, ABC Books, 1992
Crims in Grass Castles by Keith Moor, Penguin Books, 2009
Joh by Hugh Lunn, UQP, 1978
Inside Story by Chris Masters, Harper Collins, 1992
The Hillbilly Dictator by Evan Whitton, ABC Books, 1989.
Selected quotes were also taken from an extensive interview conducted with Ray Whitrod by Robin Hughes for the Australian Biography project, 2000. I am indebted to Malcolm McMillan and Lindsay Marshall for use of quotes from their extraordinary oral history collection, held by the National Library of Australia. Thank you to Bruce Dawe for permission to quote from his poem ‘News from Judea’.
My thanks to all at University of Queensland Press for coming along on this ride, especially CEO Greg Bain, the wonderful and courageous Madonna Duffy (Publisher), and Meredene Hill. I am hugely grateful to Jacqueline Blanchard for a superb and (relatively) painless edit. Thank you to both editorial assistant Tonile Wortley for all your hard work, and the great Bettina Richter.
Finally, I owe everything to my family: my wife Katie Kate, and my wonderful children, Finnigan, Bridie Rose and little Olly G. (Oliver George).
Index
Aboud, Jack 15–16
Ahern, Mike 29
Akers, Dr Harry 135–6, 175–8, 252
Allan, Police Commissioner Norm 8, 439
Allen, Ric 393
Archer, Archie 114–15
Askin, Sir Robert 8
Atkinson, Superintendent Syd ‘Sippy’ 44, 159, 237, 239, 245, 279, 418–19, 449
Australian Federal Police (AFP) 269, 307, 325, 332
Bahnemann, Gunther 288–90, 390–1, 451–2
Ballister, Michael 42
Barnes, Detective Sergeant Alan 85, 229, 307–8
Barnsley, Philip 176–8
Barron, Ian 115–16, 145, 247, 330
Bauer, Norm 424
Bax, Bob 186
Beattie, Michael 26
Becker, Chief Superintendent Don 27, 43, 137, 153
Beer, Detective Ross 44, 359
Belfast Hotel 44, 74, 96, 117, 159, 215, 218
Bellevue Hotel 262–6, 350
Bellino, Geraldo 49, 52–3, 142, 142–5, 150–1, 199, 238, 280, 353, 355, 365, 367, 378, 381, 435, 457
drug trade 355
Bellino, Tony 199, 378, 381
Bellino, Vince 378, 421
Beniston, Norma June see Vogel, Simone
Bennett, Colin 15, 275
bikie bandit hold-ups 388–90, 421–3, 447–51
Bischof, Commissioner Francis Eri
ch ‘Frank’ 15, 20, 22, 29, 31–5, 44, 56, 111, 164, 277–8, 369, 408, 425–7, 452
Fels family 31–5
Juvenile Aid Bureau 32, 56, 72, 278
Bjelke-Petersen, Florence 241, 451–2
Bjelke-Petersen, Premier Joh 7, 11, 21–3, 28–30, 41–3, 58–9, 61, 66–71, 75, 97, 100–5, 117, 133, 153, 157–8, 177, 211–13, 253, 262–3, 265–6, 286–7, 335–8, 355, 399–400, 413, 427, 440, 446, 458
Bjelke-Petersen Foundation 241–4
Blanch, Ken ‘Digger’ 220, 387, 425–6
Bolton, Brian ‘The Eagle’ 235–6, 255–7, 268, 404–5, 415–16, 427
Bourke, Edgar 22
Bowen, Sir Nigel 385–6
Bracken, Sergeant Lennie 392–3
Brennan, Justice Frank 15
Brennan, Gerard 15, 442
Breslin, Paul 410–11
Bridge, Graham David 120, 145, 247
Brifman, ‘Graham’ 80–1, 105–6
Brifman, Mary Anne 1–3, 80–1, 293–4, 438–40
Brifman, Shirley 1–3, 18, 82, 106, 180, 198, 407–8, 457
Brisbane Watchhouse Heroin Affair 423
Broad, Eddie 16, 18, 62
Bulger, Sergeant 83
Bureau of Criminal Intelligence (CIB) 85, 182–5, 190, 299
Burgess, Sergeant Harry 188–9, 293, 362, 418–19, 433–4
Burns, Tom 21–2, 45, 69–71, 99–103, 113–15, 226–7
Cacciola, Officer Mick 51, 53
Callaghan, Allen 22, 68, 103, 178, 225, 286–7, 381
Camm, Ron 31, 204–5, 225–7, 261, 267, 346
Campbell, Senior Constable Bob 89–90, 94–5, 156–7, 161–2, 260–1, 370–2, 374–6, 393–5, 396–400, 414
Cardelli, Enea 222
Carey, Mervyn 151–3
Carmichael, Constable First Class 392–3
Carter, Judge William Joseph 413–14, 447–9
Casey, Ed 309–313, 339, 349
Casey, Jim 57
casinos, illegal 8, 49–50, 54, 142–5, 150, 182, 377–84
Cedar Bay raid 38–42, 70, 130
Chant, Col 414, 450
Charlton, Peter 387
Churchill, Detective Sergeant Syd 196–7, 256–7
CIB see Bureau of Criminal Intelligence (CIB)
Clare, Frank 423, 448
Clark, Terrance John ‘Terry’ 193–8, 254–7, 267–8, 307, 415–16
Clarke, Grayvyda Maria 358–9
Clarke, William Paul 358–9
Collins, Brian ‘Snowy’ 229–32
Collins, Fred 210
Committee of Eight 89–90, 215, 221
Commonwealth Games 423, 440–3
Compton, Everald 240–3
Connolly, Justice 421–3
Connor, Senior Constable Desmond John 222–7
Constable Dave see Moore, David
Conte, Vittorio ‘Vic’ 365–7, 378, 419–20
Cook, Constable Brian 393–4
Coomer, Roy 403
Cooper, Jack 18, 457
Courier Mail 10, 26, 28, 39, 41, 59, 101–2, 109, 151, 153, 161, 177–8, 184, 231, 245, 263, 267, 304, 308, 323, 374, 379, 383, 384, 401, 411, 425–7, 447–8
Cowen, Zelman 27
Crawford, Cliff 195, 257
Creevey, Officer Noel 181, 213
Crocker, Geoffrey Luke 17, 92–3, 187–9, 198–200, 354, 359, 419–20
Dautel, Detective Sergeant Peter 57, 65, 90, 233, 239, 249–50, 258, 260
Dawe, Bruce 134
Deen, George 262–6
Devine, Matilda ‘Tilly’ 13
Di Carlo, Constable Sam 275–7
Dodd, Douglas Mervyn 404–5
Dorries, Officer Kevin 92–3
drug trade 119–20, 145–7, 184, 188, 192–8, 222–3, 269–70, 298–9, 340, 348–9, 390
Cedar Bay 38–42, 70, 130
Far North Queensland 11, 222–5, 358–9, 390, 411–12, 430–2
Jane Table 145–6, 298–9, 330, 391
Dubois, Gary ‘Shorty’ 328–9
Dwyer, Detective Inspector Noel 44, 120, 276, 293, 365–70, 383–4, 435, 451
Early, Inspector Gregory 56, 58, 65–7, 108, 155, 173
Edington, Ron 29–30, 55, 57, 110–11
Edwards, Dr Llew, 142, 154, 219, 266, 311, 335, 337–9, 344–5
Egan, Constable Michael 252–3, 261
electoral redistribution, 1977 100–2, 113–15, 158
Evans, Bill ‘Cedar Bay Bill’ 39
Fancourt, Kingsley Winston 48–55, 95, 137, 396–9, 414, 428–9
Federal Narcotics Bureau 197, 267, 269–70, 278–9, 307–8
Fels, Alonzo 32, 35
Fels, Dennis 32–4
Fels, Geoff 32, 34
Fels, Mary Margaret 31–5, 278
Fels, Ross 32–4
Ferguson, Detective Sergeant Terry 196
Finch, James, 160–1, 171
Fitzgerald, Gerald ‘Tony’ 14–16, 162–3, 385–6
Flannigan, Detective Inspector 405
Fothergill, Detective Superintendent Bruce 70, 76
Fraser, Malcolm 25, 267
Freier, Detective Sergeant Reginald Neal 117, 205–7, 400
Galligan, D.V. 450
Galligan, Inspector W 27
gambling establishments 16–17, 49, 92, 125, 142–5, 150–1, 238, 294, 353, 365–7, 377–84
gaming machines 270–2, 284, 354
Gillespie, Officer Bob ‘Doc’ 52–3
Glancy, Detective Pat 44, 85, 119, 170–1, 193, 225
Glasson, Hon. Bill 74, 448–50
Global Girls Escorts 274–5
Goleby, John 185–6, 204, 211–13
Gower, Kevin Walter 193
Gray, District Inspector Robert 39, 43
Gray, Steve 40
Grenning, Russell 445–6
Gulbransen, Assistant Commissioner Norm 42
Gunn, Bill 444
Hall, Alan 395–400
Hallahan, Glendon Patrick 1, 9–10, 18, 56, 64, 82, 116, 120, 145–7, 179–80, 185, 216, 248, 269, 295–8, 323–6, 330–2, 391, 400, 417, 426, 452
Hamilton, Ian Thomas ‘Tommy’ 164–72, 208, 457
Hanson, Police Commissioner Fred 8, 61
Hapeta, Hector 14, 187–9, 198–200, 273, 359–62, 367–9, 432–5, 437–8
Harrison, Stephen Thomas 193
Hartwig, Lindsay 337, 356
Haughton, Sir James 172–3
Hayden, Bill 335–6
Hayes, Assistant Commissioner Brian 44, 218, 237–40, 245, 292, 341
Henry, Ian Richard 193–6
Herbert, Jack Reginald ‘The Bagman’ 12, 44–5, 49, 52–3, 76, 82, 86–8, 95–8, 148, 150–1, 159, 179–80, 185–6, 210, 217–18, 233,
270–2, 343–4, 352–4, 364–5, 368–70, 401, 402, 433, 436, 454, 456, 458
Herbert, Peggy 282–3
Herse, Detective Sergeant John 66
Hewitt, Bill 41, 68–70, 203
Hicks, Inspector Basil 44, 57, 60–1, 64–5, 67, 81–4, 90, 179–82, 205–7, 211–13, 219–22, 250, 329, 417
Hiley, Sir Thomas 425–6
Hinze, Hon Russ 59, 309, 346, 377, 379–84, 393, 395, 398–9, 408–9, 443–7, 456
Hodges, Max 11–13, 21, 27–31, 42, 249–50, 315
Hogan, Inspector Les 66
Hoggett, Constable Ken 56–7, 65, 67, 120
Holloway, Allan 419–20
homosexuality 190–2, 411
Hooper, Keith 61
Hooper, Kevin 91, 93, 102, 124–8, 154–6, 212, 315, 337, 370, 375, 377–83, 395–7, 406–9
Hopgood, Detective Senior Constable John 389
Hounslow, Les 44–5, 74
Houston, Jack 71
Hurrey, Bill 373–4, 410–11
Hurst, Janelle 252
Innes, Angus 314–15
Iwasaki 350–1
James, Katherine 137, 180–1, 199, 206, 213, 219–20, 359–62, 380, 432–8
Jefferies, David 411
Jeppesen, Inspector William Daniel Alexander (Alec) 51–2, 98–9, 140, 151, 182, 211 185–6, 189, 204–5, 233, 237–40, 249–50, 257–60, 276–7, 290–1
Johnsonian Club 15–16
‘The Joke’ 35, 140–1, 180, 185, 234, 362–3, 430, 436, 438, 457
Jones, Jeffrey Colin 83
Juvenile Aid Bureau (JAB) 8, 20, 22, 29, 32, 56, 60, 72, 78, 97, 278
Katter, Bob 70
Keeffe, Jim 41
Kelly, Ray ‘Gunner’ 58, 61
The Key Club 16–18, 92
Kirmos, Officer Stacey 411–12
Knight, Dorothy 82
Knox, Bill 63, 100, 102, 152
Koch, Detective Dennis 105–7
Kontiki club 11, 137–8, 180, 206
Kornhauser, Eddie 395
Kossaris, Steve 389–90, 421–3
Krahe, Fred 1, 179, 438
Kruger, Raymond ‘Joe’ 232
Lambert, Janice 42
Lamont, Colin 62–3, 129–34, 158, 384
Lane, Don ‘Shady’ 43, 55, 58–9, 63, 66, 72, 88, 97–8, 134, 271–2, 300, 315, 398, 430
Leadbetter, Officer Graham 44, 181
Lee, Norm 152
Lendrum, Officer Dick 8
lesbianism 190–2, 214
Lewis, Harry ‘Pommie’ 196, 198, 254, 416
Lewis, Hazel 280–3
Lewis, Les 12–13, 64
Lewis, Mona 280, 351–3
Lewis, Ron 273–4, 276–7
Lewis, Commissioner Terence Murray (Terry) 2, 7–8, 11–13, 20–3, 29–31, 43–4, 48, 55–63, 65–8, 70–4, 75–7, 79–80, 89, 93, 96–8, 102–5, 116–17, 121–4, 140, 159–60, 162, 173, 175, 178–9, 181–2, 186, 190, 203–4, 211–13, 219, 232, 244–5, 260, 268, 271–3, 278, 284–6, 293, 323–4, 334, 346–8, 354, 357, 365, 369–70, 381, 390–1, 392–5, 397, 399–400, 406–7, 409, 416–17, 423–4, 443–7, 449–51, 452–4, 456–9
appointment as Commissioner 55–63
Charleville 7, 11–12, 29–30, 48
Cunnamulla airstrip discussion 7, 23, 61, 103, 116
home life 280–3
Juvenile Aid Bureau 8, 56, 97, 210, 283
OBE 273
Jacks and Jokers Page 47
