Article Alert: Ned Kelly Gang Victims all but Forgotten in Adoration of the Bushranger, say Families, Cops

At the news.com.au site there is an article from October 24, 2013 entitled "Ned Kelly Gang Victims all but Forgotten in Adoration of the Bushranger, Say Families, Cops."

It begins with:


There was an emotive ceremony at Mansfield cemetery today to rededicate the newly restored graves of the three police officers murdered by Ned Kelly and his gang.It comes amid continued debate over how Kelly should be remembered, with the state's top cop Ken Lay joining families to blast the "cultural adoration" of the bushranger.
Sergeant Michael Kennedy and Constables Thomas Lonigan and Michael Scanlan were gunned down by Kelly and his band of outlaws at Stringybark Creek, near Mansfield, in 1878.
Kelly was executed in 1880 after being found guilty of murdering Constable Lonigan.
As Kelly had already been sentenced to death, the authorities decided not to bother trying him for the murders of Sgt Kennedy and Constable Scanlan - a fact which still angers the Kennedy and Scanlan families.
Sgt Kennedy's great grandson, lawyer and chartered accountant Leo Kennedy, used his speech at today's ceremony to express that anger.
He also blasted the rewriting of history to glorify Kelly...

To read more:

http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/ned-kelly-gang-victims-all-but-forgotten-in-adoration-of-the-bushranger-say-families-cops/story-fnii5sms-1226745969659

Article Alert: Ned Kelly Inspires Singer/Songwriter

The Cowra Guardian has an article entitled "Ned Kelly Inspires Singer/Songwriter."

It begins with:

 Two years of research has come together for John Dreverman, releasing his solo CD titled 'The Ballad of Ned Kelly.'

He's spent years researching the life and times of Ned Kelly and now Cowra singer and songwriter, John Dreverman has released a solo CD recording the life of the infamous bushranger.

After the executive producer for the 2003 blockbuster, 'Ned Kelly', featuring Heath Ledger spent time at Mr Dreverman's health retreat, the opportunity to write a song for the film's soundtrack arose. With the movie in pre-production, Mr Dreverman penned 'The Ballad of Ned Kelly', and while the film took a different turn with its musical genre, the inspiration for the CD, titled 'The Ballad of Ned Kelly' had taken place.

After two years and many hours of research, Mr Dreverman's CD, featuring seven songs is now complete.

"I think I read every single Ned Kelly book there is," Mr Dreverman said.
To read more: http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/1827622/ned-kelly-legend-inspires-singersongwriter/?cs=12

Article Alert: New Money Could Bring Another Ned to Our Screens

The Sydney Morning Herald of October 10, 2013 has an article entitled "New Money Could Bring Another Ned to Our Screens." (I can imagine that all the Ned fans will be complaining that it is based on a work of fiction that does not always mirror the actual facts, but, consider the fact that I was first attracted to the Kelly story by Carey's novel....and look at me now!)

It begins with:

He's been played by, among others, Mick Jagger, Heath Ledger and Carlton football legend Bob Chitty: now a new Ned Kelly could be coming soon to our cinemas.
Screen Australia has announced $643,125 of funding to support the development of 18 feature film projects. One of the films it is supporting is an adaptation of Peter Carey's Booker-prizewinning novel True History Of The Kelly Gang, which is being written by playwright and screenwriter Joe Penhall (The Road). No actor has yet been named for the lead but Justin Kurzel, whose debut feature was the harrowing Snowtown, is attached to direct.

Later in the article it says:
 

There is no guarantee that the projects receiving preliminary funding will all make it to the screen, but this particular line-up presents an especially intriguing and varied slate of possibilities.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-money-could-bring-another-ned-to-our-screens-20131009-2v8mp.html#ixzz2hFEfK8Zt

News Alert: Eyewitness Letter to Ned Kelly's Capture Donated to State Library after 133 Years

 The news blog at the State Library of Victoria has a post entitled "Eyewitness Letter to Ned Kelly's Capture Donated to State Library after 133 Years."

It begins with:

After 133 years, a letter containing an eyewitness account of the dramatic capture of Ned Kelly during the 1880 siege at Glenrowan has been donated to the State Library of Victoria by the descendants of its author – Scotsman, Donald Gray Sutherland.
The letter addressed to Sutherland’s family on 8 July 1880 proclaims ‘… the Kelly’s are annihilated. The gang is completely destroyed…’. It continues describing Kelly’s famous armour and the gunshot wounds that finally brought him down....


To read more and to be linked to the actual letter and the transcript:

http://news.blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/2013/10/09/eyewitness-letter-to-ned-kellys-capture-donated-to-state-library-after-133-years/#.UlS4vhBGY4J

Event Alert: Peter FitzSimons's 'Ned Kelly' Book Tour

This November author Peter FitzSimons will be giving talks and signing copies of his new book "Ned Kelly" in several different locations around Australia.

 See the link below for more information.

http://www.randomhouse.com.au/events/peter-fitzsimons.aspx


(Thanks to nedkellyforum.com for this information.)