The Legend of Ned Kelly
The Kelly Gang rose from petty horse thieves to Australia's most wanted outlaws but Ned had the hearts of the common people. Controversy still rides over his original conviction, and his execution on November 11th, 1980 is remembered across the country to this day.
Ned has been memorialised by painters, writers, musicians and filmmakers, books have been written and songs have been sung in his memory.
Ned is part of the mythology of 'the bush' - the perceived cradle of mateship, equality, and the masculine virtue of fearless strength. To be as game as Ned Kelly is high praise indeed.
A self-educated man, Ned was extremely articulate, known for his poetic turn of phrase and sharp wit.
Much has been made of his ironic statements and colourful language but it doesn't take an academic degree to have the gift of the gab, much less a passion for freedom.
Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly
Kelly Outbreak
Fitzpatrick was apparently inebriated, he was well known for being drunk on duty, many a complaint had been issued of his behaviour which was "generally bad and discreditable to the force". Fitzpatrick was also well known for his "rough and rude" manner to women.
There was a scuffle with young Kate Kelly. Her mother belted the constable with a cooking pan. An indignant Fitzpatrick swore an attempted murder charge.
The outcome was the arrest and incarceration of the pregnant Mrs Kelly. Warrants were issued against Ned and Dan Kelly who disappeared into the mountains of North Eastern Victoria.
Fitzpatrick was later dismissed from the police force as 'a liar and a larrikin', but Ned and Dan Kelly were, from that day on, outlaws.
Ned Kelly Movie Trailer
The Suits of Armour
Designed to protect him from gunfire, Ned Kelly's suit of armour has become one of Victoria's most treasured historical icons.
The armour was made of heavy iron mouldboards from farmers' ploughs, mostly donated from farmers in northeastern Victoria.
The mouldboards were heated in a makeshift bush forge, beaten straight over a green log, cut into shape and riveted together as breast plates, back plates and helmets.
The armour was designed for gunfire protection whilst fighting. It was flexible enough to be worn whilst riding a horse, but was primarily calculated to be worn whilst on foot.
The Last Stand
Ned Kelly's Last Stand : Buy at AllPosters.comThe Kelly gang bailed up the little town of Glenrowan, cut the telegraph wires and forced the railway workers to rip up the line.
More than sixty hostages were taken during the day as the gang waited for the arrival of the police's special train. Following a tip-off from the local school teacher the train stopped at the station and a bitter gun battle took place with the police laying siege to the hotel.
In the nine and a half hours which followed, the building was burnt to the ground, three of the gang members were killed, and Ned, badly wounded was arrested.
Ned was taken to Melbourne, patched up, hurriedly tried and sentenced to death. On November 11th 1880, Ned Kelly was hanged in the Old Melbourne Goal.
Kelly Country
Take a drive a trip up the Hume highway out of Melbourne and you'll get to Glenrowan, where the Kelly gang made its last stand in 1880 at Anne Jones' hotel.The pub is no longer there, but the museum is worth visiting. Close by, at Benalla, you can see Sir Sydney Nolan's "Siege at Glenrowan" tapestry in the art gallery.
In the Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum is a portable cell once used to hold Kelly, and the green sash presented to him for bravery when, aged 11, he saved a boy from drowning in a creek.
Ned's accomplice, Joe Byrne, is buried in the local cemetery. Ned's family made regular appearances at the Benalla courthouse, while the boot shop in Arundel Street was the scene of one of his many fights with the police.
You need to get off the beaten track to see Kelly's bush haunts, though, as is usual in Victoria, distances are short and you're never too far from good wine and food.
Spotlight on Kelly Country
-
Kelly Country : Travel Victoria
-
Up in the north east of Victoria is Kelly Country, where the bushranger, Ned Kelly, roamed and the Kelly legacy lives on. But there's more to Kelly Country than Australia's greatest folk tale - the northeast of Victoria is a favourite destination fo...
BIg Ned at Glenrowan
Jerilderie Letter
The following, an extract from the original letter, is remembered for the description of the Victorian police.
"Is my mother not to be pitied also who has no alternative only to put up with the brutal and cowardly conduct of a parcel of big ugly fat-necked wombat headed big bellied magpie legged narrow hipped splaw-footed sons of Irish Bailiffs or English landlords which is better known as Officers of Justice or Victorian Police who some calls honest gentlemen but I would like to know what business an honest man would have in the Police."
"It is an old saying 'It takes a rogue to catch a rogue' and a man that knows nothing about roguery would never enter the force."
Ned Kelly T-Shirt Trio! - $ 43.19
Buy all three of our Ned Kelly T-Shirts in one with this Ned Kelly T-Shirt Trio Pack! Biker Ned, Wanted Poster Ned and Tribute to Ned all in one - a great way to pick up a bargain to boot!
What do you think?
-
Australia : Lensography of My Place
-
G'day from Melbourne, Australia, where I put these pages together while looking out the window at the kookaburras. I have a number of lenses on Australia, some dealing with the creatures who bound across this land, some highlighting the different pl...
Like This Lens?
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
Leave poor old Ned a note ..
D.I.C wrote
As everyone says he was a hero who was concerned about everyone's lives.Great job Ned
Posted April 01, 2009
dalio wrote
hi i think ned kelly is a hero
Posted April 01, 2009
bhb wrote
nice work
Posted March 11, 2009
10% of my income goes to continue the work of Fred Hollows in treating avoidable blindness and improving indigenous health.Photo : Khim Rath, who can now see after a successful cataract operation, Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia.
Blindness is a significant public health issue in Cambodia. Over 160,000 people are blind and an additional 20,000 become blind each year. The main cause of blindness is cataract, which can be treated by a simple 15 minute operation at an average cost of $25 (AUD$35).
Thanks for calling in ....
Thanks very much for dropping by to read about Ned Kelly. You're more than welcome to leave a note in the guest book above and, if you're a member of Squidoo, you can also rate this lens :)It's all much appreciated, Susanna
For more pages like this, my lens collection is at Susanna's Lensography
The Feral Squid
Through a lens darkly
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMake your own lens!
Everybody has a favourite subject, everyone is an expert in something, Get your own revenue generating page about your favourite.
All you need is an email address, no complicated forms! Making a Squidoo Lens is a great way to get the word out about any topic, a garden gnome collection, your passion for scuba-diving, that recipe from your grandmother, tips for pruning hibiscus or tuning a truck, how to start a celebrity fan club or how to supplement your home income.
The first step is to think of your topic and make your first lens now. Come and join the Squidoo community!
About Susanna Duffy
My Bio
G'day from Melbourne, Australia where I write about King Arthur, Mythology, Legendary Beasts, Ancient Rome, Books, Fairy Creatures, Australiana and Adventures in my Kitchen. And now I'm an Angel (Please bear with me as I test the new wings). I'm also the GroupLeader of these vibrant communities -
Epicure
The Bookworms
All About Arthur
Wander Downunder
Legends and Lore
The Goddess
Feline Friends
More in Susanna's Lensography
Check out these great lenses...
-
- My Angel Blessings
Have you just received a cryptic comment in your guestbook about an angel blessing? That's because I've seen your work and recognise the merit in it. It's a way of letting you know that your efforts have been worthwhile and of encouraging you to con... view lens -
- I Love Red Handbags
A Red Handbag is a necessity in every wardrobe. No fashion item could be more versatile. The rich vibrant colour is bold, sexy and fun on a young woman and dramatically elegant for the mature woman. It livens up any outfit, casual or formal, from je... view lens -
- No Angel
At least not in the sense I imagine angels to be. I would like to clear up a few points. Firstly, angels are sexless creatures. This just isn't true in my case, I'm definitely a woman. I did once read that angels are composed of ethereal matter, an... view lens
High Five
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
