II. The Original Sin: The unfinished business of the Woodward Commission

Dr Anna Sergi, Carlo Oreglia and The Area News journalist Cai Holroyd at the car park where Donald McKay disappeared into thin air in 1977.

After a visit to the Coleambally plains - site of the infamous drug busts of the 1970's - it's time to enter Griffith to investigate the disappearance of Donald MacKay. The mysterious fate of the aspiring politician captured the attention of Australia, while the resulting investigation left Griffith in a state of uncertainty that continues to this day.

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The Woodward royal commission

• The Woodward Royal Commission in 1979 concluded that Donald MacKay was killed under orders from a ‘ndrangheta cell
• Six Calabrian men were named as leaders of the cell, but never prosecuted. Amongst them, Tony Sergi was the most prominent figure
• Police arrested over 100 people over the Coleambally raids but not the alleged ‘ndrangheta bosses. A hitman named James Bazley was eventually arrested for the murder but never confessed to it

On July 15, 1977, Donald MacKay disappeared after leaving a pub in Griffith.

The aspiring politician had denounced the presence of large cannabis crops in Coleambally, triggering a furious response from the 'ndrangheta.

Two years later, the Woodward Royal Commission released the results of its investigation into the events, naming six people as Griffith's 'ndrangheta leaders and responsible for his disappearance.

However, the six were never prosecuted.

The Woodward Commission marks the birth of the ambiguity that is still tainting Griffith, and still taunting Australia

Anna Sergi

What happened on the night Donald MacKay disappeared?

Why is the Woodward Royal Commission's decision not to prosecute considered "the original sin"?

Carlo and Anna visit the main sites of the events, from the Griffith town centre to the parking lot where McKay vanished into thin air.

Later, they discover the resting place of Tony Sergi, the alleged "boss of bosses", and discuss how come such a man was both feared and loved by the community.

Carlo and Anna in front of Tony Sergi’s tomb

“My Australian Mafia Roadtrip” is an SBS Audio podcast about the history and the psychology of the ‘ndrangheta Down Under. Find it in your podcast app such as the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or LiSTNR.

Host: Carlo Oreglia

Special Guests: Anna Sergi, Cai Holroyd

Written and Produced: Carlo Oreglia

SBS Audio team: Joel Supple, Max Gosford

Sound Design and Mix: Max Gosford

Tile Art: 50sVintageDame/illustrationroom.com.au