Kelly
Homestead Beveridge
Statement
of Significance — Why is this place important?
Brad Webb
30 May 2003
The
Kelly homestead at Beveridge, Victoria, comprises
a timber cottage built by Ned’s father John “Red” Kelly
in January 1859 when his son was approximately 4
years old. It was a typical Irish style of cottage
with an earthen floor and drainage running between
rooms. Internally there were only 2 rooms and there
was no ceiling. The bluestone chimney dominated the
house. The homestead is of cultural importance because
it was the childhood home of Ned Kelly to 1863 (Criterion
A & H) and illustrates the lifestyle of the Irish
smallholders from whom he sprang (Criterion C). It
also had features of minor architectural interest,
including elegant iron grates and wood-grained ledged
and braced doors.
The
site is of National significance for its association
with arguably Australia’s most well known historical
figure since European settlement (in 2000 Ned Kelly
was listed in the top 100 of the world’s most
influential Irish). As the leader of the Kelly Gang,
he has been immortalised in Australian art, literature,
theatre, film and folklore (Criterion A, G & H).
The Kelly homestead at Beveridge is one of the last
visible landmarks of the Kelly legend – with
many buildings and sites linked to this historical
figure having disappeared. The site is significant
as it is one of the original relics from that era,
acting as a symbolic focus for the Kelly Gang tradition
and associated anniversaries, exhibitions, and pilgrimages
by different groups in the Australian community (Criterion
G).
This
essay formed part of a thesis I wrote for
Curtin University entitled “Protecting Heritage
Places”. Explanation of the criterion can
be found on the National Trust (Victoria) website.
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