Edgars Books & News in conjunction with the Wangaratta Library is looking forward to welcoming author Peter Norris on 26 June.
Peter will discuss his memoir The Bank Robber’s Boy which chronicles his early life – shaped by crime and trauma, but also love.
Told with candour, the book takes readers behind the curtain of a childhood lived on the margins and in shadow – trying to stay one step ahead of the police, while finding shelter and the money for food.
As the youngest son of Clarence “Clarry” Norris, a notorious Australian bank robber and fugitive, Peter’s early years were chaotic and far from ordinary; marked by constant relocation, separation and reunions, brushes with violence and lawlessness, and being put into state institutions which were supposed to protect him, but instead became sites of abuse and further trauma.
Yet despite the difference in upbringing to his peers, at the heart of the story is the deep affection between father and son and what
each would do to be together, how much they cared for each other. Peter doesn’t shy away from the contradictions of his upbringing – he was loved, but he was also endangered – he committed crimes, but he was a good lad.
At 12 years old, Peter had to make a difficult decision: remain loyal to his father and the criminal path that beckoned, remaining constantly on the move and keeping under the radar of police and case workers or break from what he had always known and try and ‘go straight’ through the help of his loving foster family and his own determination.
The Bank Robber’s Boy is truly inspiring – Peter didn’t merely survive – he flourished, becoming a successful CEO, world-class athlete, and motivational speaker. These achievements aren’t presented as fairytale redemption arcs, but rather as the hard-won results of inner work, determination, and a refusal to let his past define his future.
Peter tells his story with honesty, and there’s a clear sense that he is reclaiming his story on his own terms. The Bank Robber’s Boy is more than just a tale of crime and consequence – it is a compelling portrait of the complexities of father-son relationships, the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and the capacity for human transformation.
For readers interested in Australian true crime, social history, or personal stories of resilience, this memoir is both a sobering and uplifting read. It stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of choice in even the bleakest of circumstances.
To book your place to what is going to be a truly remarkable discussion on Thursday, 26 June at 6.30pm at the Wangaratta Library, drop into Edgars, the Wangaratta Library or book via the Edgars Events page HERE.
The Bank Robber’s Boy is available to purchase at the event. from Edgars Books & News at 55 Murphy Street Wangaratta or
via their online store HERE.
Following the talk, Peter will sign copies of his book.
