"Ned Kelly Not Such a Hero"
by Christopher Bantick
Oct. 27, 2010
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2010/10/27/252001_opinion-news.html
Hmmm....it must be coming up on November 11! Seems every time we get near a Kelly High Holy Day [note tongue firmly planted in cheek!] someone in the press trots out this same old tired dog and pony routine. Ho-hum! NEXT!
WELCOME TO ELEVEN MILE CREEK. Thanks for visiting us. We hope to use this blog to bring news, views, nuggets and musings, some serious, some lighthearted, but all to do with all things associated with Ned Kelly.
Ah yes, Christopher Bantick rides again, demanding a reality check, some honesty, and a critical makeover, without budging an inch from his entrenched position that Ned had no redeeming features whatsoever. No-one can truly claim to be impartial on this subject but if Mr Bantick cared to look around he'd find many balanced opinions about Ned and the gang. Even dyed-in-the-wool Kellyphiles like myself are able to recognise that the mythologising is biased but that is the way of myths. We are fortunate that we live in a time when it's still possible to access some of the truth rather than having to rely on myth alone. Ned's story is a patchwork of good and bad, justice and injustice, and that's why it continues to fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteMarian said it very well, when I hear this bloke is writing about Ned I do not even read it to know it will be so one sided it is simply amazing. Even McIntyre's grandson does not have a down on Ned as bad as Bantick. I wonder what happened in his past to hate Ned with such venom that he cannot concede any good in the man at all. If my memory serves me he said years ago that it was alleged Ned saved Shelton. Nothing alleged about it mate. I too know the bad things Ned did, that does not make him the person Bantick talks about. Dave.
ReplyDeleteI am probably more in line with Mr Bantinck's oft expressed viewpoint than either Dave or Sharon, but this particular manifestation is a weak one. All it does is say that Ned was bad, but it does not give supporting evidence of any sort.
ReplyDeleteHe could have mentioned a few things like stealing more horses than what they could use, ambushing outnumbered police at Stringybark Creek (twice) and leaving all but one dead, and plotting wholesale slaughter borne out of an aborted train wreck after murdering a very confused associate. But he did not. A few more examples next time, please, Mr Bantinck - it will bolster your case.