This page is where I hope to list and recognize every one of the authors, journalists, academics and members of various law enforcement agencies, all of whom have contributed to the knowledge and understanding of the ‘ndrangheta in Australia. It will be updated frequently. I am am aware that the format switches at times, eventually it will be standardised. Bear with me ,eh guys?
NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA
Primary Sources, by Item Listings, Digitized: Publicly Available;
NAA A6122 2715, 284pg
-Camorra, Black Hand, Mafia, Mano Nera Society Volume 1,
-File GR 3/2/364 VOL 1
NAA A6122 2716, 195pg
-Camorra, Black Hand, Mafia, Mano Nera Society Volume 2,
-File 3/2/364 [2716] VOL 2
NAA A6122, 2717
-Camorra, Black Hand, Mafia, Mano Nera Society Volume 3
NAA A6980 S250530 331pg
-Black hand activities in Australia, Part 1
NAA A981, ITA 2, 28pg
-Italy – Murder of Domenico Belle Camorra
ACADEMIC SOURCES
I wont lie, Dr. Anna Sergi is a personal hero of mine. Her work on the subject helped rekindle my own interest. There are a number of other works that are invaluable in understanding the subject though, which I will list for perusal.
La ‘ndrangheta migrante e il caso Australia (2013)
The evolution of the ‘Ndrangheta in Australia: An historical perspective (2014)
Migrating ‘ndrangheta: Cultural bias and cultural differences in the policing of the Calabrian mafia between Italy and Australia (Public Lecture, 2017)
Chasing the Mafia: ‘Ndrangheta, Memories and Journeys (2022)
-Dr. Anna Sergi
Undesirable Italians: A prolegomena for the history of the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta in Australia (2016)
-Stephen Bennets
I Compari d’Australia: le ‘ndrine Calabresi radicate in Oceania or The Australian Cronies (2016)
-Arcangelo Badolati
BOOKS, PUBLISHED WORKS AND AUTHORS
I’ll do my best with with this. Eventually, I hope to list every true crime book that touches on Italian organised crime in Australia. I feel compelled to first pay my respects to the pioneers.
BOB BOTTOM, OAM
Perhaps Australia’s first investigative journalist targeting local organised crime. His body of work is a National Treasure, and formed the solid foundation for what was to come. Besides his publications, he regularly advised the Commonwealth on criminal matters, and is also the author of several op-ed pieces, newspaper articles and editorials. I’ve included his whole bibliography as each book is an integral part of the chronology of Australian crime.
-Behind the Barrier (1969)
-The Godfather in Australia (1979)
-Without Fear or Favour (1984)
-Connections: Crime Rackets and Networks of Influence Down-Under (1985)
-Connections II: Crime Rackets and Networks of Influence Down-Under (1987)
-Shadow of Shame: How the Mafia Got Away With the Murder of Donald Mackay (1988)
-Bugged! Legal Police Telephone Taps Expose the Mr Bigs of Australia (1989)
-Inside Victoria: A Chronicle of Scandal (1991) Co-Writer, John Silvester, Tom Noble, Paul Daley
-Fighting Organised Crime: Triumph and Betrayal in a Lifelong Campaign (2009)
KEITH MOOR
A veteran reporter for the Heral Sun, Moor represents one of the torch-bearers for coverage in the country, who worked closely with colleagues such as Kate McClymont and Nick Menzies, future luminaries in their own rights. Moor’s publications include the seminal work on Robert “Aussie Bob” Trimbole, and the scandal that ensued his fugitive status, as well as works examining the record drug-bust of 2008, and it’s links to Griffith and Melbourne. His plethora of newspaper articles serve as a tangible legacy of his work also.
-Crims in Grass Castles (2009)
-Busted! The Inside Story of the World’s Biggest Ecstasy Haul (2016)
-MUGSHOTS 2, co-written with Geoff Wilkinson, (2006)
JOHN SILVESTER AND ANDREW RULE
Both successful authors and reporters in their own right, their seminal work is the Underbelly series, which was adapted into one of Australia’s highest rating television series. Silvester is the son of a former Detective, and writes in a matter of fact, almost mocking tone in relation to criminals. Rule is a veteran of the crime-beat, with vast experience among Melbourne’s crime scene. The pair were well positioned during Melbourne’s Gangland War to produce some of the best coverage available.
Underbelly 1(1997)
Underbelly 2 (1998)
Underbelly 3 (1999)
Underbelly 4 (2000)
Underbelly 5 (2000)
Underbelly 6 (2002)
Underbelly 7 (2003)
Underbelly 8 (2004)
Underbelly 9 (2005)
Underbelly 10 (2006)
Underbelly 11: True Crime Stories (2007)
Tough: 101 Australian Gangtsers (2002)
Leadbelly: Inside Australia’s Underworld Wars (2004)
Underbelly: The Gangland War (2008)
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (2009)
Underbelly: The Golden Mile (2010)
Outside the Law: Australian True Crime Stories
Mokbelly (2013)
Underbelly: Shot At Close Range (2016)
CLIVE SMALL & TOM GILLING
Clive Small was the former Police Commissioner of NSW, and a long serving Detective. He has investigated the Australian ‘nrangheta perhaps more than any. Rightfully regarded as an expert, he is regularly consulted by press and media. Tom Gilling is a former novelist who’s work has featured in international best-seller lists. He turned his hand to crime, partnering with Small for another series of acclaimed works.
Smack Express (2009)
Evil Life: The true story of the Calabrian mafia in Australia (2016)
-Clive Small, Tom Gilling
The Griffith Wars (2017)
-Tom Gilling (co-written with Terry Jones, a veteran Griffith based journalist who was friends with Don Mackay and present during the Woodward Commission).
MICHAEL MADIGAN
Using the NCA attacks as a reference point, Madigan delivered a valuable contribution to the available field of knowledge on the subject. It’s a work I rate as essential reading material in studying the ‘ndrangheta in Australia. This text, besides taking a nation-wide view early on, is also the definitive account of the murder of Geoffrey Bowen, the trials of Dominic Perre and the NCA bombing. Madigan was also among the handful of researchers, writers and producers who commented on my articles; unfortunately, I had been locked of the site by the time I found out. Frustrating. Madigan though, has produced one of Australia’s best true crime texts.
The NCA Bombing: A Mafia Murder? (2013)
-Michael Madigan
DAMIAN MARRETT AND COLIN MCLAREN
-The two Victorian police men who undertook Australia’s first widely publicized undercover operation. As a part of what would come to be known as Operation Afghan, evidence they collected was utilized in the successful prosecution of some leading figures. Each man ended carrying very distinct opinions on the operation. With their experience on such matters, each can speak on specific roles involved in such criminal investigation.
Infiltration (2011)
-Colin McLaren
Undercover (2005)
White Lies (2006)
Wired (2007)
-Damian Marrett
JAMES MORTON AND SUSANNA LOBEZ
Both independently successful, this pair were co-authors of a number of true-crime publications, with Morton being a particularly prolific author with a history going back decades. In fact, for many people their first introduction to names like Vincenzo D’Agostino or Domenico Italiano came from one of Morton’s Gangland series. Having turned his hand to Australia, he and former lawyer Lobez have composed some great works, in particular the essential reference books that comprise their Gangland Australia series. I will admit, it was with a little frustration I saw the picture of the bombed bakery where D’Agostino had died, which I had found on Trove and published in my first series of articles. I hadn’t seen it online until then. In any case, GangstersInc was given credit. I’m not salty though. Honestly.
Gangland Australia (2007) +Updates
Gangland Melbourne (2011)
Gangland Sydney (2011)
Gangland Queensland (2012)
Gangland North, South and West (2013)
Shotgun and Standover (2010) Co-Written w/Russel Robinson
Bent Uncensored (2014+)
OTHER IMPORTANT PUBLICATIONS
Blood Brotherhoods: The Rise of the Italian Mafias (2010)
Mafia Republic: Italy’s Criminal Curse (2013)
-John Dickie
Mr Big: Lennie McPherson and his life of crime (2007)
Mr Sin: The Abe Saffron Dossier (2007)
The Real George Freeman (2011)
-Tony Reeves
The Winchester Conspiracy (1996)
-Co-Authors, Roderick Campbell, Brian Toohey, William Pinwill
Melbourne (2012)
-Sophie Cunningham
I, Mick Gatto (2009)
-Tom Noble
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
These have been some of the most informative texts. And perhaps the most dedicated to truth and integrity. Consider Forgione and Gratteri, who played roles in the prosecution and investigation of ‘ndrangheta figures in their home country.
Australian ‘ndrangheta: I codico d’affiliazione e la missione di Nicola Calipari (2009)
-Enzo Ciconte, Vincenzo Macri
Fratelli di sangue (2006) +Updates 2008, 2010
-Nicola Gratteri, Antonio Nicaso
Mafia Export (2011)
-Francesco Forgione
BRISBANE CHAPTERS
Domenico “Mick” Cacciola, a veteran of the Queensland Police Service, who lived through Fitzgerald after facing some years of discrimination with some racist shades. And managed throughout to remain an honest cop. His works are also part Sicilian migrant memoirs; Cacciola grew up in the same environment that bred the Bellino brothers. Tony Bellino too, labored to make his own voice heard. Despite having faced no charges following Fitzgerald, he makes the valid claim that his reputation was unfairly damaged. As a number of other figures have had to suffer through too. As mentioned in the article, Brisbane is blessed with names such as Evan Whitton, Quentin Dempster, Chris Masters and Phil Dickie having a focus on Brisbane during its times of tumult. It is sometime novelist and longtime journalist Matthew Condon though who has crafted the definitive account of Brisbane’s history with coruption in his Three Crooked Kings trilogy, in my opinion one of the best works of true crime produced in Australia. Amonsgt the books specifically consulted for the chapter on Brisbane and Queensland though;
The Second Father (2010)
Who’s Who in the Zoo (2014)
-Domenico “Mick” Cacciola
Time for Truth: Antonio Bellino tells it as it is (2009)
-Don Cameron and Antonio Bellino
The Three Crooked Kings Trilogy
Three Crooked Kings (2013)
Jacks & Jokers (2014)
All Fall Down (2015)
-Matthew Condon
Honest Cops (1992)
-Quentin Dempster
The Hillbilly Dictator (1989)
-Evan Whitton
Mafia in Australia 