A History of Bad Behaviour - The Wheeler Centre: Books, Writing, Ideas

Opium dens, illegal brothels, and men with names as colourful as their pasts: our panel uncovers Melbourne’s criminal record.

Melbourne’s history is neck-deep with skullduggery, from our city origins to the wild colonial days of the gold rush to the golden age of illegal bookies and ganglands. In this session, we’ll take a forensic look at this city’s shady past.

Presenters

Shane Maloney

Shane Maloney is one of Australia’s most popular novelists. He has been published in the UK, Germany, France, Britain, Japan, Finland and the US.

Jeff Sparrow

Jeff Sparrow is the editor of the literary journal Overland.

LM Robinson

LM Robinson has worked as a tutor, university lecturer, freelance writer and teacher.

Andrew May

Associate Professor Andrew May is a social historian in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne, and editor of The Encyclopedia of Melbourne.