re. Chidley Studios, Ned Kelly dramatic performance newspaper write-up
From: Sally McInerney [jdsmcinerney@hotmail.com] 10 Mar 10
Sorry about the incomplete email address of my earlier message. Are you interested in a newspaper item from the Hobart Mercury, 1903, The Kellys on the Stage? I came across it while researching a life of William Chidley - whose father took the photo. of Ned Kelly aged 19 (Chidley Studio). Chidley's girlfriend played the part of Kate Kelly in the stage play...
P.S. Was Ned Kelly's grey mare named "Music", or is that just a bit of a myth? Joe's horse was Music, Ned's was Mirt

re. Kelly Gang Documentary
From: Alan Crichton [rcr87285@bigpond.net.au] 10 Mar 10
I must agree with Ellen, if this is the doco by Barry Dowdall, the more you watch it the easier it becomes to understand and enjoy. I believe i received that bloody Irish version, and after viewing it several hundred times, am pleased to say that i can now speak fluent Irish, even though Mr Fitzsimons would disagree. I must also admit that i have watched Ellen's interview in the doco considerably more times than the rest of the film, but all i'm prepared to say is..... each to his own.

re. Kelly Gang Documentary
From: Ellen Hollow [tonelly@bigpond.com] 09 Mar 10
If this is the documentary by the Irish film maker Barrie Dowdall it is very good.

Songs
From: Sarah [Bronny.air@bigpond.com] 07 Mar 10
The song on the other page is wrong he had no kids or a wife so please change it P.S it is wrong! Ah ha...

Kelly Gang Documentary
From: Lisa [captain1@ozemail.com.au] 06 Mar 10
A documentary called Ned Kelly: The True Story will be played on the Foxtel History channel on St Patrick's Day,Wednesday 17th March at 7.30pm and repeated again the next day. According to the write up it is a new documentary. It sounds good.
P.S. Just regarding my previous post about the Kelly Gang documentary, I thought it was a new one being advertised, but after looking more I think it is the different version of the Besieged documentary.The way it was written though they said it was a premiere documentary,and not an old one. Anyway it should still be worth a look.

re. Greta Cemetery
From: Greg Devlin [contact@gardenviewlodge.com.au] 06 Mar 10
Thanks Noleen, for your answer, I possibly have used the incorrrect term when saying that the graves look negelected. I have been to the cemetery on several occasions and have certainly noticed the improvements and well maintained grounds. Keep up the excellent work.

re. Greta Cemetery
From: Noeleen Lloyd [noeleenlloyd@hotmail.com] 05 Mar 10
I thought I would answer this one as I am a member of the Greta Cemetery Trust. The Trust is made up of members of many families from Greta and we all take our responsiblity to those who have passed (and their living descendents) seriously - and all of us have siginificant numbers of family members buried in the Cemetery. First I would say that there are over 550 graves at the Cemetery with less than a quarter of those having markers of any kind. The Cemetery Trust is an active one, made up of volunteers and with very limited funds I believe we manage to keep the grounds in good order. Regular visitors will notice the improvements over the years; including fencing, trees, and a memorial at the gate to all the pioneering families of Greta. We are about to add another significicant improvement by building a rotunda in the grounds that will provide shelter to people during visits and at funerals. All funds need to be sourced and often take many applications (and knockbacks) for Government grants. Secondly , as far as any grave in any cemetery goes - it is entirely the right and the responsibility of living family members/descendents to make the decision whether to mark the grave or not. No trust is allowed to erect headstones, or for that matter do repairs without the permission of family - especially where there is known family. It also costs an enormous amount of money to repair headstones - most small trusts simply do not have the funds, even if they did have permission to do repairs etc. Finally, yes there has been interference to graves in the past. Some headstones have infact been removed and taken. Graves may be unmarked but they are NOT neglected. Well said!

SCARY...IF TRUE!
From: Deb Hurst [deborah.hurst@gmail.com] 04 Mar 10
Was anyone listening to Sydney's local ABC station 702 last Thursday (25th Feb) evening at around 5.55pm? I swear I heard a politician guest on the Richard Glover program say that (wait for it...) Kate Kelly was involved in the conscription debates of World War I!! I was fluffing about the house at the time so I REALLY HOPE that I missed something beforehand ... But I don't think so...Did anyone hear it and can clarify what was said? Kate died on October 6, 1898...

Greta Cemetery
From: Greg Devlin [contact@gardenviewlodge.com] 03 Mar 10
I was wondering if it would be possible to get an explanation for the graves of the Kelly family members in the Greta Cemetery. Most would be aware that they are unmarked and in a neglected state. I would like to know if the reason for this is one of privacy, or close family reasons, or a financial consideration. I can possible understand if the graves are not marked for fear of interference, but it would be a sad if the resting places of these people are not remembered for other reasons.

Ned Kelly Requiem Mass called off
From: Maree K. [Mareek2008@yahoo.com.au] 27 Feb 10
I was organizing a Requiem Mass for Ned Kelly in Cowra per June 6,2010 but decided to cancel it after an event that happened which made all my friends shudder for days. I rang the Cowra Police to ask them if they would like to attend a huge requiem mass for a "much loved person" in June 2010. I stated there could be excessive amounts of people attending (This is bushranger country also). I had been put through to police in Orange which is the local area command and the officer stated that they would be only too happy to attend if I give them a couple of weeks notice. I never told them who it was for. Less than an hour later it came on the news that police officers had pulled over a car in Lucknow just outside of Orange for a RBT and the person jumped out of the car carrying a .22 calibre sawn-off shotgun. More police were alerted and arrived so he held them at bay for 7 hours when they heard a gun shot, found the man with a wound to his chest and he died in the early hours of the morning. It was Ned Kelly all over again! His name was never released, Orana Police (Dubbo) investigated but nothing else has come to light on this story. It was very eerie to say the least and we are glad we didn't tell the cops who it was for at that stage. We have decided to cancel it for this year at least. Sorry, how was this 'Ned Kelly all over again'?

Ian Jones Contact Details
From: Kate Vinen [katevinen@hotmail.com] 24 Feb 10
Hello, I am researching a project and am trying to get in contact with Mr Ian Jones, historian. Does anyone have his contact details, or know his agents details? Any leads would be greatly appreciated. Try his current publisher...

Chidley Studios, Ned Kelly dramatic performance newspaper write-up
From: Sally McInerney [jdsmcinerney@?] 22 Feb 10
PLEASE get in touch with me, re. Ned and william Chidley - whose girlfriend played the part of Kate Kelly in the late 1800s? A proper email address would be a start...

Letter to the Editor (Border Mail)
From: Alan Crichton [rcr87285@bigpond.net.au] 15 Feb 10
Dear Editor,

It has come to my attention that a media event has been organised by the Ned Kelly Weekend Organising Committee for the 9th March at 10.30 am regarding the Ned Kelly Weekend taking place in Beechworth this August. I have also heard the media event will be held at the Burke Museum. If you will allow me to explain a couple of issues I have regarding this event I would be most grateful.

Firstly, let me inform you that the Ned Kelly Weekend Organising Committee is also the B.H.R.G, or the Beechworth Historical Re-enactment Group. The President of this Weekend Committee is Adam Wynne-Jenkins. He is not only President of the Kelly Weekend Committee, but also President of the B.H.R.G and Chairman of the Friends of the Burke Museum. It was also Mr Jenkins who came up with the idea of bringing the four suits of Kelly Gang Armour to Beechworth and the Kelly Weekend, and for this I congratulate him and the Committee. But our biggest concern is that the international exhibition of Kelly Armour will be held in the B.H.R.Gs own leased premises, namely the old Beechworth Police station. I am just one of many supporters of the Kelly Weekend, and we are all asking the question why such a local and important exhibition is not being held in the struggling Burke Museum?

It was only recently that the BHRG were given permission to lease their premises, and not long after that, the Weekend Organising Committee announced the arrival of the four Kelly Gang suits of Armour for the Kelly Weekend to be shown in their own BHRG premises. At the moment the BHRG are busy turning their premises into a 19th century police station, with help I have been informed, by low security prisoners from the Beechworth Prison who are known as the Prisoners On the Run. The four suits of Armour will be on exhibition in these small premises and can be viewed for a gold coin donation. With the many thousands attending the Kelly Weekend, I’m sure the BHRG, or should I say Ned Kelly Weekend Organising Committee, will do extremely well for themselves.

It’s no secret that the Burke Museum has been having trouble getting numbers through its door for quite a while. The Indigo Shire Council have recently had an expert study completed at a cost of some $25000 to find out the reason why. One of the major problems the study discovered, was that the Historic Precinct and the Burke Museum were operating as two separate entities instead of one. The report went on to say that by having scattered exhibits throughout the Historic Precinct it was like having a museum without walls, and quite detrimental to the running of what should be the central focus for the Precinct…the Burke Museum.

If the BHRG are supposed to be a community minded group of volunteers, why have they done the exact opposite, and turned their backs on the Museum for this International Exhibition of Kelly Gang Armour and denied the Burke its rights?

It was in 1880 when the Burke Museum first asked the then Victorian Police Commissioner, Captain Standish, for permission to exhibit one suit of Armour at the museum in Beechworth. They were denied this request and the Commissioner ordered the Armour to be sent to Melbourne and destroyed. We all know this did not happen, and know that two suits are still in the possession of police, one in the State Library and one in private hands. How could any community spirited group deny the Burke Museum its right after waiting patiently for 130 years for these suits of Armour to come home to the North East?

The museum has the space, experience, and security to exhibit such iconic items, so why doesn’t the BHRG show a little more community spirit. There are many of us, including living relatives of the Kelly Gang, who are not happy with the BHRG decision to hold this exhibition in their own premises. I thought the Ned Kelly Weekend was a Indigo Shire event, but it seems the council has left it all in the hands of a private group.

If your representative for the Border Mail is present at the media release on the 9th of March, it might be worthwhile to ask the spokesman for the Ned Kelly Organising Committee, who will most certainly be Mr Adam Wynne-Jenkins, a few rather curly questions. For more information regarding this matter, you can contact myself at the above telephone number at any time or Ironoutlaw.com.

Yours sincerely,
Alan Crichton

re. All Quiet On The Armour Front
From: Alan Crichton [rcr87285@bigpond.net.au] 15 Feb 10
Good points Lisa, I think the BHRG have all gone to ground and have been instructed to keep quiet by their revered leader. Which only confirms their hypocrisy in that their grand launch for the 2010 Ned Kelly Weekend will be held.....you guessed it....at The Burke Museum, the very place they denied the Armour being shown. Talk about rubbing salt into the wounds. I suppose their headquarters at the Sub-treasury is out of the question, as they are currently busy renovating their police station with labour from the prisoners on the run from the local Beechworth Prison. How do ya like them apples? The boys would be turning in their graves. The launch will take place on Wednesday the 3rd of March. I wonder why I didn't get an invitation? Getting away from the Weekend for a moment, I read in the paper that the bloke who wanted to start a business of tromping people through the Beechworth Cemetery at night has had his little scheme quashed. It seems the Cemetery Trust did not like the idea, especially when their were so many living relatives of those passed away still residing in the town. But what the heck....... I suppose a bucks a buck!! Who the blazes would come up with such an immoral idea anyway? Mmmmm, you don't think it could have been that.....no, not even he would stoop that low......or would he??

All Quiet On The Armour Front
From: Lisa [captain1@ozemail.com.au] 14 Feb 10
I can't understand why there hasn't been a single peep from any of the BHRG members regarding the boys armour & the Burke Museum. Everyone agrees that it is brilliant that they have organised to have all 4 suits of armour together in Beechworth this year, but I just don't understand why no one from the BHRG has written in to explain things and to give a straight answer once and for all regarding the armour not being displayed at the Burke Museum. They obviously look on the IronOutlaw website and would know about people's concerns regarding the matter, as members of the BHRG have posted comments on here in the past. So why can't one of their spokespeople or something just answer our concerns and talk about it and give their reasons why the display won't happen at the Burke? Whether it is true or not, their absolute silence on the matter gives the impression of an 'up yours' kind of attitude. With many regular readers of IronOutlaw attending The Ned Kelly Weekend each year, and with it being THE website where many people learn about Kelly Gang events, I just don't get why they won't talk to the people and explain what will be going on with the boys armour, and why. It just seems strange, even childish. Why can't they just explain their decision fully regarding their Sub Treasury Building, and why the Burke won't be considered? We are allowed to question things aren't we? We all just want what's best when it comes to the boys. Maybe I'll organise a protest march during the Kelly Weekend (which would be the only reason I'd go up this year, well that and Noelene Allen doing her talk)...

Steve
From: Lisa [captain1@ozemail.com.au] 13 Feb 10
Happy Birthday Steve Hart! :D

re.Statue of Ned Kelly
From: Airi [repetti@ozemail.com.au] 12 Feb 10
Excellent suggestion Alan, I love the idea of a memorial garden on the Inn site. They do all deserve to be remembered with respect. As far as the armour is concerned, with the 130th anniversary Ned and the Gang are likely to feature in the media a lot more this year - why not make the most of the opportunity to gain support for reuniting the armour permanently by talking about it whenever and wherever a chance presents itself? Every rebellion has to start somewhere...

re.Statue of Ned Kelly
From: Alan Crichton [rcr87285@bigpond.net.au] 12 Feb 10
It's a strange ol thing, but when I think of Glenrowan, I only seem to get visions of many caught up in a tragic situation there, including Ned and the boys. But more to the point, is Glenrowan only about Ned? If the answer is yes, then build the statue of him, but if not, try looking for a more suitable alternative. The only problem with memorials and statues or the like, is that there is a very fine line that can quite easily, through time, alter their original purpose. These very same monuments can later be seen as nothing more than commercial enterprises for attracting tourists to a given location eg. Some of those spoken of by Mark. The large statue of Ned at the front of Kates Cottage in Glenrowan is an icon throughout Australia and overseas, but I would hardly call it a Kelly memorial, even if it were cast in bronze. So what makes Glenrowan so special? Is it the town itself with its souvenir shops and eateries, or is it all to do with, not only Ned Kelly, but the area where the historic stand off took place, and its fatal consequence?

If you agree on this point, then we must all be grateful that the owner of the block of land where Ann Jones Inn once stood, Linton Briggs, did not sell the property off fifty years ago. What could have quite easily been sitting there is a drive-in memorial to an iconic colourful clown, recognised universally as Ronald McDonald and his rather loud and swirling definitive M. What would have become of Glenrowan then? This small corner block is in fact, whether you like it or not,…. “The Glenrowan Memorial.” How many of us when visiting the siege sight wander over to the railway station and look back towards the site of the Ann Jones Inn and reflect on the violent actions that took place there between outlaws and police 130 years ago? How many people died because of those actions. The memorial at Glenrowan should not be just about Ned, but in remembrance of the souls who lost their lives there. We must all remember that Ned lost his life at the end of a rope in Melbourne and not in Glenrowan, unlike Daniel Kelly, Joseph Byrne, Stephen Hart, John Jones and Martin Cherry.

If Mr Briggs, for just a moment, could resist the influences hammered on him from local historians and so called academics to turn this site into a never-ending archaeological dig, we might just start to get somewhere. What if that corner block of weeds was to be turned into a Memorial Garden to remember those who died there? With plantings of trees, shrubs and wild flowers from the surrounding area. A simple stone path leading you through a place where an Inn once stood. A centred monument possibly in the form of the Ann Jones Inn sign with stone monuments in places where souls had their lives tragically taken from them. A simple bench where visitors can sit, pray, and reflect. Whether they be outlawed from society or innocent, they deserve to be remembered with respect. So tear down that bloody wire fence Mr Briggs, show a little respect, and open up your heart and mind to what is right and befitting.

The Fitzpatrick Conspiracy
From: Lisa [captain1@ozemail.com.au] 09 Feb 10
The Fitzpatrick Conspiracy article by Alan Crichton is very interesting. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it was all planned by the Police regarding the Fitzpatrick incident either. The disgusting behaviour by many of the Police regarding the Kelly's really was unbelievable, so I wouldn't put it past them. How many of them got away with treating people (they were meant to protect too) the way they did is madness. I often think of how that horrible thing Constable Hall got away with trying to kill Ned twice, by shooting at him and bashing his head in.......and for nothing! He should have been charged with attempted murder on Ned. You feel really frustrated and angry all these years later thinking about those incidents (Fitzpatrick/Hall etc), so I cannot even begin to imagine how Ned and the rest of the Kelly Family felt. It's heartbreaking to read Mrs Kelly's words in Cookson's book. That dear little lady suffered so much, losing so many of her children so young and being thrown in gaol for something she didn't do. Seeing their lives thrown away by lies and corruption, being treating so badly and unfairly and to be powerless to help her children when they needed her most, it must have been agony. Well said...

Return of the armour
From: Jonelle Matson [tcandjm@hotmail.com] 09 Feb 10
I recently read an article about Egypts heritage laws, where any artifact must be returned to Egypt, and then placed on display. Italy instituted laws similar, and in America, there are many laws governing Civil War artifacts (down to bullets). Private collectors face huge fines and even jail time, depending on how the acquired the artifact. Why does Australia not have similar laws? Why are private collectors allowed to hide away these nationally important relics? In the case of Joe Byrnes armour wouldn't the laws re: resurectionists cover the return of his armour (i.e. you cannot strip a corpse of anything!). After contacting sellout Mr Garrett, I am told that this is not an issue worthy of consideration. Stinger, you are a lawyer, maybe there is some way of civil action stepping in here? Cheers. A very good point Jonelle!

re.Statue of Ned Kelly
From: Mark Perry [mperry@cospak.com.au] 08 Feb 10
I agree with Lynden on the statue. It would be nice to see some thought, planning and taste go into a statue instead of the Bob Hempel type rubbish there at the moment. Along the lines of Benallas Weary Dunlop Memorial in their Rose Gardens maybe? Or Pt Lincolns Maykbe Diva? Gundagais Dog on Tuckerbox....Urallas Thunderbolt statue... There are plenty of examples where a town gets its memorial right. My point us, somrthing not oversize, brightly painted and garrish. Considering the Glenrowans Siege site is one of our most significant places I believe the memorial should reflect the gravity of this. Unfortunately, the Big Ned statue doesn't quite cut it for me. (sorry Chris and Rod.) Just my thoughts. Cheers. What about a statue AND the return of the armour. A win, win...

re.Statue of Ned Kelly
From: Airi [repetti@ozemail.com.au] 07 Feb 10
Perhaps Glenrowan already has enough Ned Kelly statues, Lynden Cole? How about a fitting tribute to the whole Kelly Gang by working towards getting the four suits of armour permanently reunited and displayed together like they should be?

Statue of Ned Kelly
From: Lynden Cole [lynden.cole@live.com.au] 05 Feb 10
I am interested in gathering peoples thoughts and comments with having a life size bronze statue of Ned Kelly erected at Glenrowan. My hope is to see a completed statue on the site where he made his last defiante stand. This statue would be a tribute to a man who did what he had to do back then. The statue would be realistic true to life and not an abstact, standing tall with him wearing his helmet, overcoat and taking aim in the correct direction, mounted on a locally made granite base with descriptive plaques mounted to the base. This would be a tribute to probably one our most famous individuals. As Ned Kelly does not have a proper burial site or any tribute in his honour. Please lets get something happening as this is the 130th year of his final year. I would like to see a smooth progress towards completion as soon as possible. I need assistance in all areas of design, planning, approvals, funding, promotion, awareness etc. Please respond only positive and constructive replies.Thank You for your time.

Ned Kelly Prints
From: Leslie Roy Dick [dick@keypoint.com.au] 05 Feb 10
Hi, I was wondering if you have any other photographs/prints of Ned Kelly that aren't displayed in your current shopping page. Any information on available prints would be appreciated. Thanks. There's plenty of images of Kellyana out there but not a lot of Ned...

Greta Catholic Church
From: Lols Rowe (nee Lloyd) [lola.rowe@gmail.com] 30 Jan 10
A sad occasion the last Mass to be held in St.Bridgids , GRETA tomorrow before this little church is put up for sale. The Church that my Grand parents Rachel , Tom Lloyd & family attended in their horse and buggy .. Funerals.marriages etc held in this little church Wouldn't it be great if one day Neds remains could have been given a requiem Mass there.!!!!!

re. Hello! Is Anybody Out There?
From: Alan Crichton [rcr87285@bigpond.net.au] 29 Jan 10
Dear Mr Webb, It’s so nice to see that you have finally returned from your seemingly eternal and most elongated vacation, however, I have been deeply hurt by your cruel and malicious remarks directed at a poor old chap struggling to make ends meet through his diminishing twilight years. To insinuate I drink cheap red wine has cut me to the very quick. I will have you know Mr Webb I have forked out up to $8.50 for a top shelf Cab. Sav, and have been known to lash out, and not give a damn, for a bottle of a fine imported drop amounting to, might I be so bold $10.50. But you are right dear young fellow in what you say. I sometimes reflect on the good old days when a hard years harvesting had been done, and a week of celebration and well earned rest was to begin. It was the time for annual Christmas holidays with family and celebration, and oh, how I wallowed in that one weeks time of rest with my family. Mr Webb, they were the days. I can understand how you must feel after only six weeks of annual celebration, and consuming outrageous quantities of spirit, imported beer, and wine as you sit back and take in once again a defeat for the land that is OZ, and a victory once more for some foreign country in the Australian Open Tennis on your 48 inch plazma screen. Thank god Mr Webb for the Australian cricket team! But I can assure you Mr Webb, after receiving an uplifting phone call of encouragement from my dear and well heeled friend Mr O’Keefe, and with my spirits spiralling forth regardless of the money he had made me spend at the David Jones Emporium, I shall make sure I fill your Ironoutlaw feedback pages once again this year. I look back on my shortcomings and sigh out loud Mr Webb…..SUCH IS LIFE!! Good to see you're finally off the metho!

re. Wild Wright
From: Ellen Hollow [hollow@alphalink.com.au] 29 Jan 10
Isaiah Wright died Newcastle Waters NT Aus from Malaria. I believe he is buried there His wife Bridget Lloyd died 1884. They had a Son - John Thomas Wright b 1878

Hello! Is Anybody Out There?
From: Alan Crichton [rcr87285@bigpond.net.au] 23 Jan 10
Dear Mr. Webb, since the 15th of last year I have been, unlike some inebriated lost souls, wandering aimlessly in the historious and most bigness of infinity that we have all come to know as Kelly cyberspace. If you would be so kind to inform me....has there been a most dastardly alien attack on Ironoutlaw, or has some other catastrophic disaster that I am unaware of befallen our most revered Kelly website to bring its feed back section to silence? To seek some form of companionship over this moment of silence, I have tried ringing Mister Ian Jones on the telephone number Mr O'Keefe gave us in the last feedback, but in doing so have been somehow lumbered with six shirts, three pairs of pants and a bloody synthetic sports coat I didn't really need. As it is now the year 2010, could we please get back to some serious! Kelly business? Unlike some old rusty retired dudes that stare at the clock wishing it was 5pm so they can uncork another cheap bottle of red and drink their pension away, I do have a day job plus a little thing called annual leave. But I'm back now so feel free to flood my inbox once again!

Wild Wright
From: Matt [mgaynor_6@yahoo.com] 20 Jan 10
Hi all, Can anyone provide info on Wild Wright in later life. I understand that after Ned was hanged he served time in NSW with JIm Kelly for horse theft. What happened after this and where is he buried.

History Lesson
From: Narelle Roberts [blueandgold8@gmail.com] 08 Jan 10
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF NED KELLY PLEASE AND IF THERE IS A NEWSLETTER ALSO PLEASE IF SO CAN YOU EMAIL IT TO BLUEANDGOLD8@GMAIL.COM I think there is a web site called ironoutlaw.com that may hold a few answers

T-Shirt
From: Peter [pmccallum@rolandcorp.com.au] 01 Jan 10
Is your Ironoutlaw T shirt available in short sleeves, and not just long sleve? Sorry only long sleeve at this stage. However, with a sharp pair of scissors...