A letter to Rupert Hammond, ‘owner’ of Joe Byrne’s armour
9 February 2010

Hello Mr. Hammond,

I would like to first thank you for allowing Joe’s Armour to be displayed along with the other three suits of Gang Armour at the Beechworth Ned Kelly Weekend this coming August. To see the four suits together for the first time in the North East, and the area from whence they originated is an event I have long awaited. As the owner/custodian of such an historic Australian icon, I can understand and appreciate the responsibility that has been given you. My only concern however is the premises in which this Armour is to be displayed.

I am aware the negotiations for this international exhibition were organised by the Beechworth Historical Re-Enactment Group, and for this I must take my hat off to them for organising such an event, but not for their decision to hold the exhibition in their own premises, the old Sub-Treasury. You, as a Kelly enthusiast, would probably be aware that the Burke Museum made a request for one such suit of Armour to be exhibited on their premises way back in 1880. The Police Commissioner, Standish, refused this request, leaving the old museum still waiting for this exhibit after 130 years.

I am one of many supporters of the Kelly Weekend, including family members of the Harts, Lloyds and Kellys, who all disagree with the choice of venue made by the Organising Committee. The premises of which they lease is far too small to safely accommodate the many thousands who will flock to Beechworth to see this rare exhibition, and to have the Armour lined up in a copy of some 19th century police station does not rest easy with living relatives of the four young outlaws.

What I would like to know Mr Hammond is if you and other lenders were given the Burke Museum as an alternative to exhibit the suits of Armour, and why would such an international public exhibition be held in inadequate privately held premises leased by the Ned Kelly Weekend Organising Committee, or rather the B.H.R.G? The museum has the room and know how to run such an event. Its security is as good if not better than the old Sub-Treasury. So all I can assume is it is for selfish reasons of monetary gain on the part of the B.H.R.G.

The Burke Museum is going through a difficult time at the moment through lack of patronage. It would be a shame to see its doors close after so many years of service to the community. If the B.H.R.G would have shown a little community spirit, I would not be writing you this letter. Unfortunately for me, the chairman of the Friends Of The Burke is also the President of the B.H.R.G and Ned Kelly Weekend Organising Committee. All I ask Mr Hammond is you reconsider the venue that has been organised to house Joe’s Armour and request it be shown at the Burke Museum. If you have any influence re. the other lenders I would ask you use it to right this terrible wrong.

Yours Sincerely
Alan Crichton