Ned Kelly, perhaps Australia’s most famous outlaw, became a symbol of resistance against colonial authority in the 19th century. Born into a poor Irish immigrant family, Kelly rose to infamy as the leader of the Kelly Gang, a group of bushrangers who terrorised the state of Victoria. Known for their daring bank robberies, brazen confrontations with the police, and Kelly's iconic homemade armour, the gang’s story is one of rebellion, justice, and tragedy. Despite his violent criminal acts, Kelly became a folk hero to many, admired for his defiance against what was seen as an oppressive system. His dramatic final stand at Glenrowan, where he was captured and later executed, cemented his place in Australian history.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and legacy of Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang, unravelling the truth behind the myth of Australia’s most notorious bushranger and the impact they left on the nation’s folklore.


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Sources cited: 

• The Benalla Ensign and Farmer's and Squatter's Journal. 1869. "Benalla Police Court." October 29: 2. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66837804.
• The Argus. 1869. "Country News." October 22: 2. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5832622.
• Kelly, Ned. 1870. Letter to Sgt. James Babington. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly_Letter_to_Sgt._James_Babington.
• Kennedy, Leo. 2018. Black Snake. Melbourne: Affirm Press.
• Kenneally, J.J. 1946. The Complete History of the Kelly Gang and their Pursuers. Melbourne: J. Roy Stevens.
• Kenneally, J.J. 1929. The Inner History of the Kelly Gang. Melbourne: Ruskin Press.
• The Argus. 1878. "The Police Murders." October 30. Accessed August 6, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5919040.
• Carmody, Shane. 2004. "Through Green Tinted Glasses: Barry, Kelly and Irish Sentiment." The LaTrobe Journal, Autumn. Accessed August 5, 2021. http://latrobejournal.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-73/t1-g- t4.html.
• The Argus. 1880. "The Kelly Gang." August 10: 7. Accessed August 6, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5961325.
• The Argus. 1923. "Kelly Gang at Eurora." February 20: 7. Accessed August 6, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1877492.
• Kelly, N., n.d. "The Jerilderie Letter." State Library of Victoria. Accessed August 6, 2021. http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/rebels-outlaws/bushrangers/jerilderie-letter.
• 1880. "Destruction of the Kelly Gang." June 29: 5. Accessed August 7, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5975546.
• FitzSimons, Peter. 2013. "Iron man: the story of Ned Kelly's last stand." The Sydney Morning Herald, November 3. Accessed August 7, 2021. https://www.smh.com.au/national/iron-man-the-story-of-ned-kellys-last-stand-20131102-2wt5p.html.
• 1878. Sir Redmond Barry in Court. Accessed August 7, 2021. http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/rebels-outlaws/law-enforcement/sir-redmond-barry-court.
• The Sydney Morning Herald. 2002. "Ned Kelly shot with his mother - in sepia." March 23. Accessed August 7, 2021. https://www.smh.com.au/national/ned-kelly-shot-with-his-mother-in-sepia-20020323-gdfd3k.html.
• The Sydney Morning Herald. 1907. "The Australian." August 10: 12. Accessed August 7, 2021. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14870716.
• Flanagan, Martin. 2013. "Rebels who knew the end was coming, but stood up anyway." The Age, March 30. Accessed August 7, 2021. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rebels-who-knew-the-end-was-coming-but-stood-up-anyway-20130329-2gz9t.html.

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