National History Challenge: Ned Kelly-Written By Christian Watson

National History Challenge - Bushrangers - Ned Kelly - Written by Christian Watson

Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly was born in Victoria in 1854 (exact date unknown), and is of Irish descent. He is one of the most famous individuals in Australian History. Ned was and is still undoubtedly the most famous Australian bushranger to ever live. His life began and ended in Victoria, breathing his final breath in the Old Melbourne Gaol in 1880. Ned Kelly is truly a hero in many people’s eyes, where-as other people seem to think he was an outright criminal who deserved to face the noose. The truth is, Ned Kelly was a hero, and that he was a victim of unfair policing. He payed the ultimate price to the Victorian Police.

Ned’s father, John Kelly was born in Tipperary

Little to their knowledge, the police knew of their presence there and took advantage of it. This would be the Kelly gang’s final stand against the Victorian police. The police arrived to the town via train and the Kelly gang ran to get dressed into their famous, homemade and bulletproof armour, covering all apart from the eyes, arms and legs. The Kelly gang and the police were firing at each other for at least 45 minutes, while hostages in the hotel had to lay low and watch. Some hostages were even shot and killed by the police fire. Ned Kelly escaped the hotel, and attacked the police from behind. Two shots to his legs knocked him down, and he surrendered. Joe Byrne was shot and killed by police inside the hotel. The police then set a bundle of burning hay at a side of the building, and set the building alight. Two shots were heard from inside the Hotel, and it is believed to be the two suicidal shots by Dan Kelly and Steve Hart who would rather take their own lives than have their lives be taken by the police. Their charred bodies were later found lying together. Ned Kelly was then sent straight to court and was charged with 4 murders of police, one attempted murder, various bank robberies, and resisting police arrest at the hotel. He was sentenced to death. Kelly was hanged by the neck at the Old Melbourne Gaol on the 11th of November in 1880. He was 25. His final words were not heard, but as the rope was being placed around his neck he said: “ah well, I suppose it’s come to this.” and while his leg chains were being taken off in preparation for his death, he said these famous words: Such is life. Kelly was killed instantly by the noose around his neck, and his face was then plastered so that there could be a ‘death mask’ of him. The death mask is now on exhibit at the Old Melbourne Gaol. His body was then dissected, and his head was supposedly used as a