Step into a story of crime, intrigue and public scandal this May at Carrick Hill, as part of South Australia’s History Festival.
Join curator Dr Ellen Whitton inside the House Museum for a compelling talk exploring how the unsolved murder of Mollie Dean drew attention to artist Colin Colahan, her lover at the time of her death. The case shocked Melbourne in 1930, not only for its brutality, but because it unfolded within a close-knit bohemian art world already viewed with suspicion by sections of the public.
Mollie’s death became the subject of intense media scrutiny and speculation, with her relationships and lifestyle sensationalised in newspapers. The unanswered nature of the crime only deepened public fascination, allowing rumour and narrative to take hold alongside fact. The story has since inspired multiple books, reflecting its lasting grip on the cultural imagination.
This talk explores how one unresolved crime shaped reputation, public perception, and cultural tension between everyday Australians and the art world—revealing how mystery can become myth.
When: 15 May, 2026
Time: 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Where: Carrick Hill House, 46 Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield, SA, 5062
Make the most out of your evening and book in for dinner at Rozelle's.
South Australia’s History Festival is an annual statewide event exploring South Australia’s history.
