Ned Kelly - Photo © wendishness. All rights reserved

Ned Kelly was found guilty of wilful murder and sentenced to execution by hanging. When Judge Barry declared the sentence, Ned responded, “I will go a little further than that and say I will see you there where I go”.

There was a petition for a reprieve organised with over 30,000 signatures but it did no good. Meanwhile Ned continued to write letters to explain his version of events and to ask for his mother’s release from gaol but nothing came of it.

November 11th 1880, Ned Kelly was executed by hanging at Melbourne Gaol; his last words were “Such is Life!”

One interesting fact is that 12 days later, the judge who sentenced him to death died also.

In 1881 there was a Royal Commission into the Kelly Outbreak which painted the police involved in the lead up to them being declared as outlaws in an unfavourable light though it didn’t excuse or condone the actions of the Kelly gang either! Regardless, it brought about major changes to the Victorian Police force which are still in effect today.

There has been much speculation about Ned Kelly and the Kelly gang over the years; even today they still make news headlines!

• Where are the remains of Ned Kelly and will he be given a proper burial?
• Where is Ned Kelly’s skull?
• Did Steve Hart and Dan Kelly actually escape?
• Did Ned Kelly get married?

Ned Kelly is firmly lodged in our psyche – love him or hate him, he will live on in one way or another as an outlaw but also a legend!

For me personally, I am a supporter. I certainly do not condone their actions BUT looking at the way events played out back then (or what we know of them) I believe Ned Kelly was mostly misunderstood. Circumstances beyond his control seemed to force his hand. No matter what wrong doings the Kelly Gang did, we also need to look at the Police of the time and see their part in the whole drama too.

Ned Kelly has been much written about over the years and of course there have been movies made about him, the first one made in 1905. Another one made in 1970 starred Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones as Ned and in 2003 Heath Ledger starred as Ned Kelly in the film of the same name. It’s been knocked by Kelly fans for being little more than a romanticised Hollywood attempt at history and inaccurate in parts, I couldn’t say as I haven’t seen it. My personal favourite was the 1980 mini-series ‘The Last Outlaw’ which seems to be the most accurately portrayed (as best as can be) version of events.

At Australian Native T-Shirts we have many fantastic Ned Kelly t-shirts, pewter figurines and buckles, stubby holders and other merchandise. These make great gifts for those admire Ned Kelly – the Legend!

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