Kelly's Sites Off Limits
Larissa Dubecki
The Age
22 November 02
source: theage.com.au

The Ned Kelly statue on the old Hume Highway in Glenrowan. Picture: Neil Newitt

The location of the Kelly Gang's last stand in Glenrowan has been declared a heritage site and will be protected from development. The area includes the railway line and platform near where the Kelly gang had planned to derail a train, and the site of Jones' Glenrowan Inn, where the gang took captives on June 28, 1880. The inn was razed by police during the siege in which gang members Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart were trapped and killed. Ned Kelly was tried in Melbourne and hanged on November 11, 1880, for the murder of police at Stringybark Creek in 1878.

The statement of cultural heritage significance prepared by Heritage Victoria describes the town of Glenrowan as central to the Kelly legend. "The members lived in the district and spent much time there among a population generally sympathetic to the outlaws," it says. "The siege, the police cordon, the capture of Ned and the burning of the Glenrowan Inn are firmly implanted in Australian folklore." Surviving landmarks from the siege include the stationmaster's house, which has been relocated to the north of the site, and the railway platform, which has been remodelled.

Heritage Council chairwoman Chris Gallagher said: "We will look to see if there is a story to tell through spent bullets in the soil and artefacts from the demolished pubs." The listing means that any major development on the site will need a permit. Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said the people of Glenrowan had long recognised the importance of the area.