Overview

Frank Arkell (1929–1998) was the most successful politician of his generation; an Independent who served as Wollongong's Lord Mayor (1974–1991) and state member (1984–1991). Arkell dominated Wollongong public life with unstoppable energy, eccentric flair, and a single-minded determination to support the city through economic restructuring. Despite his popularity, at the edges of public consciousness there was growing disquiet over Arkell’s private life … 'A compelling biography … Eklund provides a nuanced exploration of Arkell’s relentless efforts to transform Wollongong from a ‘steel city’ to the ‘Leisure Coast’, as well as his connections to an extensive paedophile network exposed during the 1997 Wood Royal Commission …’ — Associate Professor Jayne Persian, University of Southern Queensland ‘Eklund discloses the tragic consequences of unbridled male lust, deep social inequality and unaccountable class power … we have here a shocking story of sexual abuse and official corruption that brought untold suffering, political disgrace and, in the end, a brutal murder.’ ­— Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, author of Dreamers and Schemers: The Political History of Australia Shortlisted, NSW History Awards, NSW Community and Regional History Prize, 2025 Longlisted, The Australian Political Book of the Year, 2025

Full Product Details

Author:   Erik Eklund
Publisher:   ANU Press
Imprint:   ANU Press
ISBN:  

9781760466794

ISBN 10:   1760466794
Publication Date:   06 March 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

List of plates Abbreviations A note about currency Acknowledgements Introduction: 'Both a devil and a saint at the same time'—The life of Frank Arkell Family and kin: Growing up in Port Kembla and Steeltown School, family business and real estate ‘For the betterment of Wollongong’: From new alderman to long-serving mayor, 1965–1981 ‘Life in the city of Wollongong is never dull’: Local and state politics, 1981–1988 ‘A mindless vendetta against me’: Declining popularity and increasing frustration, 1985–1991 ‘Attempting to sell people a dream’: Business dealings, networks and influence ‘Wonderful, wonderful Wollongong’? Arkell’s vision for a post-industrial city ‘Commander Hook’ and the Wollongong paedophile network Public and private: The evidence, the allegations, the charges A wide and diverse network of abuse The University of Wollongong and its paedophile past ‘People don’t wave anymore’: The diminishing years ‘Our brother Frank was suddenly and violently taken from us’: The death of Frank Arkell ‘Wollongong is the ""W"" in NSW’: Frank Arkell’s political record ‘I would rather him face the courts’: The aftermath and the legacy Afterword Arkell family tree Frank Arkell: Timeline Bibliography

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