Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 – 1946), Saturday 30 November 1867, page 15 INTERCOLONIAL. NEW SOUTH WALES. EXAMINATION OF “BLUE CAP,” THE BUSHRANGER. (FROM THE BURRANGONG ARGUS.) At the Police court, Young, on the 11th and 14th instant, the following … Continue reading Spotlight: Examination of “Blue Cap”, the Bushranger
[Warning: The content in this article may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised.] Justin Kurzel’s hyper-stylised and ultraviolent interpretation of True History of the Kelly Gang received positive reviews when it debuted in Toronto in September 2019 and … Continue reading The most grisly bushranger stories
Few bushrangers can lay claim to being the living embodiment of bushranging as John Gilbert was during his short and violent career. Known variously as “Flash Johnny” and “Happy Jack”, Gilbert was known for his impulsiveness and energy. Gilbert was … Continue reading Johnny Gilbert: An Overview
Forever consigned to popular culture as Ned Kelly’s little brother, Dan Kelly was a young man of only nineteen when he lost his life fighting the police. Like so many “boy bushrangers” his young life was snuffed out without him … Continue reading Dan Kelly: An Overview
Every interpretation of the Kelly story brings with it a host of conflicting perspectives on various points, and each is unique. More recent film depictions have been executed more artfully than the early silent films or even early “talkies”. Whereas … Continue reading Ned Kelly (2003): an analysis
Few bushrangers have such a horrific and blood soaked history as Jimmy Governor, the Aboriginal bandit who struck terror in New South Wales at the turn of the last century. Governor ended the lives of nine people, mostly women and children, and signified the end of the colonial era in Australia with his three month rampage at the dawn of federation. Continue reading Jimmy Governor: An Overview
In 1864 Dan Morgan’s reign of terror was moving into full swing. In January of that year the New South Wales government formally issued a reward for Morgan’s apprehension, which was advertised in many publications in an effort to raise awareness. Continue reading Spotlight: £500 REWARD FOR THE APPREHENSION OF DANIEL MORGAN
At the beginning of 1865 the Ben Hall Gang were the most wanted men in Australia. Their success on the roads was problematic and they were nigh on untouchable. However, after a failed coach robbery in Black Springs resulting in Johnny Gilbert killing Sergeant Edmund Parry, the gang now had to tread carefully. The new recruit John Dunn was working out splendidly, taking to his role with a natural gift that saw him very quickly gain equal notoriety to his colleagues. Things were about to become far more serious as the gang descended upon Thomas Kimberly’s Inn in Collector on the outskirts of Forbes on January 26, 1865. Continue reading Tragedy at Collector: John Dunn and Constable Nelson
There are many myths about the death of Dan Morgan, some of which aren’t entirely without reason. Here we examine the end of one of Australia’s bloodiest legends. Continue reading Morgan’s End (video)
By May 1870 bushranging was almost completely wiped out. Captain Thunderbolt met his inglorious end and all that was left were the odd copycat and the last of the highwaymen: Harry Power. Harry Power was a legend in his own lunchtime whose limited notoriety was on a scale comparable to the most infamous of his contemporaries so of course news of his capture was very well received. This is how it went down according to the news of the day… Continue reading Spotlight: Capture of Power the Bushranger