When a grand plan was hatched for a breakaway Australian state centred around Mildura, the town jumped at the chance to sever ties with Melbourne.

But the ambitious bid collapsed when the ostentatious “American” spruiking the idea had his dark past exposed.

Author David Nichols tells the story.

More about David’s book: https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/products/the-alert-grey-twinkling-eyes-of-c-j-degaris

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