Ned Kelly

This biography tells the story of the short life of Ned Kelly, Australia’s most famous outlaw. As a young man, Ned was commended for his bravery. When he formed , he was a wanted man. Make up your own mind about this fascinating character.

8.8 9.2 Other Biographies in Springboard 4: Mother Teresa: Saint of the Gutters Springboard 4 Edmund Hillary Written by Ashley Marks For inspection teachers' Ned Kelly ONLY

Contents

Beginnings ...... 6 An Act of Bravery ...... 7 Moving House ...... 8 The Kelly Family ...... 10 Trouble with the Law ...... 11 The Beginnings of the Kelly Gang ...... 14 Outlaws ...... 16 Support for the Kelly Gang. . . . . 17 Letters from an Outlaw...... 18 Taking on the Police ...... 19 Surrounded! ...... 20 The End of Ned Kelly ...... 21 Glossary ...... 23 Index ...... 24

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The Kelly family moves to Eleven Mile Creek.

Ned's father dies.

Ned saves Richard Shelton from drowning.

Ned Kelly The Kelly family moves is born. to Avenel, Victoria. 1855 1856 1857 1858 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1859

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Ned is arrested for robbery and assault on Ah Fook, held for 10 days, then released for lack of evidence. Ned later meets Harry Power. Ned, his stepfather George, and others are involved in Ned is accused of stealing stock from aiding Harry Power. land around Greta. He is arrested Ned is arrested for and held for two drunkenness. months, then released for lack of Ned, now 19, is freed evidence. early from jail. He Later, he is returns to Eleven sentenced to six Mile Creek and tries months in jail for to stay out of trouble. assault.

Ned is released A warrant is from jail. Some time issued for later, he is charged Ned’s arrest with horse theft and on a charge sentenced to three of horse theft. years. Ned did not The case is steal the horse. dismissed. 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877

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Life began for Ned Kelly in the small town of Beveridge,ONLY W near Melbourne. He was the third child and the first son of John (Red) Kelly and Ellen Quin. In total, there were eight Kelly children.

Ned Kelly was probably born sometime in 1855. Unfortunately, his birth was not registered, so people can only guess at the exact date. By the time of his death 25 years later, Ned was known as one of Australia’s most famous . Some people also said that he was a murderer and a thief. Other people said he was a hero, like Robin Hood. They said he only stole from the rich to give to the poor.

The home of Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, at Beveridge, Victoria

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When Ned was young, he risked his life in an act of ONLY bravery. The family moved to the nearby town of Avenel. Ned learned to read and write at school in Avenel. As a schoolboy, Ned risked his life to save a seven-year-old boy named Richard Shelton from drowning in the local creek. The Shelton family wanted to reward Ned. They presented him with a green silk sash for his bravery. Ned kept this sash with him. In fact, he wore it near the end of his life.

Ned Kelly's green silk sash

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In 1866, Ned’s father suddenly died and Ned’s mother ONLY decided to move the family closer to relatives near the small town of Greta. During these times the Government of Victoria gave thousands of settlers a small area of land to work for a living. These settlers became known as A selectors, and the Kelly family joined their ranks. Map of Kelly Gang Territory

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA Key The Kelly farm at Eleven Mile Creek

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