My dear Sir Henry Parkes
I find by the newspapers that you have been very liberal in offering a reward for the Kelly gang or any one of them Now Sir Henry the man that takes I Captain E. Kelly will have to be a plucky man for I do not intend to be taken alive. And as I would as soon die in NSW as Victoria I will give you or any other person who wishes to take me a fair chance to try your pluck.
This month sees a stack of new book releases and an upcoming stage play. Continue reading Bushranging Gazette #12
It is well known that the story of the Kelly Gang is the bushranging tale most often depicted in film (only rivalled by adaptations of Robbery Under Arms). Depictions of Ned Kelly in media are so numerous that it would … Continue reading Fact vs Film: Joe Byrne
Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), Wednesday 18 May 1881, page 1 THE POLICE COMMISSION AT GRETA. [BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.] The royal commission appointed to inquire into the working of the police department concluded their task of taking … Continue reading Spotlight: The Police Commission at Greta
The past twelve months have been, for want of a better word, tumultuous. In amongst it all we got two films tackling the Kelly story – True History of the Kelly Gang and Stringybark. The two productions could not have … Continue reading “There’s a lot to reflect on if we can get past the mythology.”: Ben Head discusses ‘Stringybark’ – Exclusive!
In 2019 there was much consternation about the new Kelly Gang films that were brewing. The adaptation of Peter Carey’s novel, True History of the Kelly Gang, was set to be a big budget extravaganza with many Nedheads expecting to … Continue reading Stringybark (Review)
Aaron Sherritt has been enshrined in Australian folklore as a Judas figure, but what is the truth behind the man who fell from grace and brought about the end of the Kelly Gang? Continue reading Aaron Sherritt: Persona non Grata
The following article from 1923 begins with the death of Ellen Kelly then recaps the story of the Kelly Gang as it was understood at the time. Mrs. Kelly (she had returned to using her first husband’s surname) was a … Continue reading Spotlight: Mother of the Kellys
One of the most famous relics of the heyday of bushranging is the death mask of Ned Kelly made by Max Kreitmayer just after the execution of the Victorian outlaw. It is a sombre reminder of a young life snuffed … Continue reading Max Kreitmayer and the missing Joe Byrne death mask
With November 2019 seeing the 140th anniversary of the Wantabadgery Siege, the decision was made to make a pilgrimage to Wantabadgery. As no formal acknowledgement of the anniversary or notification of any organised commemoration thereof had been announced, I decided … Continue reading A Guide to Australian Bushranging on tour, 2019 [Blog]