Mr Wollongong with Erik Eklund and Sue Turnbull

Former mayor of Wollongong Frank Arkell was flamboyant, successful, well-off and a relentless champion of the city he loved. But there was a sinister, dark underside to his life that involved predatory sexual behaviour towards young boys as part of an alleged paedophile ring of powerful men. In his book Politics, Pride and Perversion, historian Erik Eklund has done forensic research to tell a story that is disturbing and continues to divide people to this day. He tells Professor Sue Turnbull how he uncovered the secrets of Arkell's network and his brutal murder.

About Erik EklundAdjunct Professor of History at ANU. Grew up in Wollongong and completed his PhD on the history of Port Kembla. Author of Politics, Pride and Perversion: The Rise and Fall of Frank Arkell (shortlisted for the 2025 NSW Community and Regional History Prize and longlisted for Australian Political Book of the Year). Has written extensively on regional Australia in fields including labour history, heritage studies, social history, and social policy.

Purchase book:

Buy Politics, Pride and Perversion: The Rise and Fall of Frank Arkell from Collins Booksellers

ⓘ True Story Festival infoTrue Story is a festival of ideas celebrating the best creative non-fiction writing in Australia today. Bringing writers and readers together in Coledale, the festival showcases trusted voices, gripping yarns, and local perspectives that illuminate our world.

Credits

Recorded by Kingsley Reeve

Curated by Caroline Baum, Sarah Nicholson (South Coast Writers Centre) & Genevieve Swart

With thanks to The Illawarra Flame

The South Coast Writers Centre acknowledges the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging.