7246 Minnie

In 1907 Melbourne's underworld was dominated by a cross section of hardened gangs. Criminal identities terrorised Melbourne's surrounding suburbs included bands of outlaws including the Crutchie Push, groups of organised criminals paid allegiance to two time welterweight boxing champion Ted Whiting, sly grog baroness Bridgett Mahoney controlled a vast portion of the city's sly grog, and individual lone gunmen including John Clark and Snowy Cutmore all made a living from law breaking. Yet a new rival was about to change the game for everyone as Squizzy Taylor, his girlfriend Dolly Gray, and his psychopathic brother Claude emerged in Melbourne in 1907. For Minnie McKillop, life was never easy. Though to the 17 year old Tasmanian born girl, a life of drinking, late nights, guns, sex and sly grog was too alluring to say no to. Little did she know that her path towards becoming one of the most prolific brothel running, sly grog making madams in Australia's history would position her as the beginning and the end of the Fitzroy Vendetta in 1919. As the criminal class jostled for positions of power, Minnie's grit, determination and her enduring strength made her the touch stone for a set of key events that give us the most telling window to the underworld of 1900-1930 that we have ever had access to before.The life of minnie clark is a dark and gritty story, set against a backdrop of Fitzroy's bloOdiest days. as One of the most prolific brothel owners, sly grog manufacturers, organised criminals and madams in australian history, she was also the unwiTting host to the first shots fired at the start of the 1919 FitZroy Vendetta, and alsoy to the last shoTs fired at iTs conclusion. As one of the central figures of the VendeTta her life and its incredible story comes to life in "7246 Minnie".