6 Keys

The amazing story of the 1932 robbery of two banks in one night in the North-West

Queensland town of Cloncurry is back in print.

The two banks in Cloncurry, the Queensland National Bank and the Bank of New South Wales, were

cleaned out of their funds by the robbers. The robbery was so cleverly planned and so neatly executed

that there was no indication of it until the premises were open for business on Monday morning.

The North Queensland Register, Saturday 18 June 1932.

The book Six Keys: the Cloncurry Bank Robberies, written by the late John Williamson,

originally published in March 2010 and now with the support of the author’s daughter Leith

Williamson has been republished in a facsimile edition by the Cloncurry & District Historical

& Museum Society.

The book tells the story of the infamous and unsolved 1932 bank robberies which

scandalised the North-West town.

Ms Leith Williamson on hearing that the first books had come off the press said:-

“I am so pleased that my Dad’s book is back in print and available for all to read. I would like

to thank the Society and its archivist Colin Randall for their efforts and perseverance in

getting this facsimile edition published.

My Dad wrote “Altogether, writing the story and talking to people about the event has been

a most enjoyable and rewarding experience.”

I am sure that the new readers of Dad’s book will be similarly rewarded in the gripping tale

of the 6 Keys.”

Enquiries regarding the book can be addressed to:-

Gail Wipaki, Treasurer, Cloncurry & District Historical & Museum Society Inc.

historicalsocietycloncurry@gmail.com