Murray Farquhar
Encyclopedia
Murray Farquhar OBE
(7 July 1918–3 December 1993) was the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate of New South Wales
between 1971 and 1977. Farquhar was born in the mining city of Broken Hill, New South Wales
in Far West New South Wales. He attended Broken Hill High School and served in the Australian Army in the Second World War
. After his military service, he studied law, practiced as a solicitor and was appointed as a magistrate in 1962. He was appointed Chief Stipendiary Magistrate in 1971.
Farquhar was convicted and jailed in 1985 for his corrupt influence in a fraud case brought against the head of the Australian Rugby League
, Kevin Humphreys. During his trial, it became clear that Farquhar had deep roots in the criminal community, including connections to George Freeman
and Nick Paltos
. Much of the investigative work in the Farquhar case was due to the efforts of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
's Four Corners program. Murray Farquhar has been played by both John Clayton
in the docudrama The Day of the Roses
and by John Wood
in the drama series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(7 July 1918–3 December 1993) was the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate of New South Wales
Local Court of New South Wales
There are over 160 Local Courts in New South Wales. Local Court cases are heard by a magistrate without a jury. It hears summary offences as well as indictable offences and committal hearings. It hears civil claims up to $100,000 and has a Small Claims Division for claims less than $10,000. It...
between 1971 and 1977. Farquhar was born in the mining city of Broken Hill, New South Wales
Broken Hill, New South Wales
-Geology:Broken Hill's massive orebody, which formed about 1,800 million years ago, has proved to be among the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposits. The orebody is shaped like a boomerang plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the...
in Far West New South Wales. He attended Broken Hill High School and served in the Australian Army in the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After his military service, he studied law, practiced as a solicitor and was appointed as a magistrate in 1962. He was appointed Chief Stipendiary Magistrate in 1971.
Farquhar was convicted and jailed in 1985 for his corrupt influence in a fraud case brought against the head of the Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
, Kevin Humphreys. During his trial, it became clear that Farquhar had deep roots in the criminal community, including connections to George Freeman
George Freeman (bookmaker)
George David Freeman was a Sydney organised crime figure and illegal casino operator. He was linked to the Sydney drug trade during the 1970s and '80s, was named in several Royal Commissions into organised crime and had links with American crime figures...
and Nick Paltos
Nick Paltos
Nicholas George Paltos was an Australian Doctor and convicted criminal.-Early life:Paltos was born "Nicholas George Paltos" in 1940 or 1941 on the small Greek island of Kastelorizon...
. Much of the investigative work in the Farquhar case was due to the efforts of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's Four Corners program. Murray Farquhar has been played by both John Clayton
John Clayton (actor)
John Clayton was an Australian actor.He was best known for his television work, with credits including: Division 4, Rush, The Outsiders, Chopper Squad, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, E Street, Police Rescue, Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Wildside, Farscape, Grass Roots and All...
in the docudrama The Day of the Roses
The Day of the Roses
The Day of the Roses is a two part Australian television mini-series, a docu-drama directed by Peter Fisk, based on the events of the 1977 Granville railway disaster...
and by John Wood
John Wood (Australian actor)
John Wood is a Gold Logie Award-winning Australian actor, best known for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon in the Seven Network's long running police drama Blue Heelers.-TV career:...
in the drama series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities is a 13-part Australian television mini-series loosely based on real events that stemmed from the marijuana trade centred around the New South Wales town of Griffith. The timeline of the series is the years between 1976 and 1987. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities...
.