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While awaiting execution in Old Melbourne Gaol, November 1880, Ned Kelly requested that his body be given to family for burial in consecrated ground. His last wish was finally granted in 2013. After two years of legal proceedings by family to receive Ned’s remains, his funeral was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wangaratta on 18 January. The historic stone church has a long history with the Kelly family and a simile of Ned’s beloved green sash with gold fringe, created especially for the funeral, adorned the coffin. Two days later, on 20 January, Ned Kelly was laid to rest among his family members in Greta Cemetery. The actual position of his grave is not known publicly, in order to protect his remains. But a memorial stone has been placed at the cemetery entrance naming his immediate family members also buried there. If you visit Greta Cemetery, check-out the visitor books in the gazebo near the entrance.

Some comments being made here are getting a heated and a little nasty. Showing respect for differing points of view would be appreciated. NKC

Photos from Ned Kelly Centre's post

Today marks 150 years since John ‘Red’ Kelly died in Avenel, Victoria. The eldest of seven children of tenant farmers Thomas Kelly and Mary Cody, John was born in February 1820 in Moyglass, County Tipperary, Ireland. In John's world, the native Irish lived in chronic poverty. Tipperary had the second highest rents and evictions in Ireland, and rebellion was common. On 7 December 1840, he was reported for stealing two pigs and selling them at market. Sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Van Diemen’s Land, on 7 August 1841 John sailed from Dublin on the convict ship The Prince Regent. Here he was nicknamed ‘Red Kelly’, as one of two convicts on board named John Kelly, both from Tipperary and transported for seven years. The ship arrived in Hobart Town on 2 January 1842. Port Arthur records note John's height as 5’ 8 ½“ (172.72cm), complexion ‘fresh’, hair ‘brown with reddish tinge’, visage ‘long’, forehead ‘medium height’, eyebrows ‘brown’, eyes ‘blue’, nose ‘large’, mouth ‘medium’, chin ‘medium’, remarks ‘scar on chin, read but not write’, and conduct ‘orderly’. On 11 January 1848 he received his Ticket of Freedom. In Wallan, Victoria he met bounty migrants the Quinn family from County Antrim, Northern Ireland. On 18 November 1850, John Kelly (30) and Ellen Quinn (18) married at St Francis Church, Melbourne. John made money on the goldfields to buy land. The Beveridge house he built for his family now has protected status, both as an early colonial building and as the Kelly home. John and Ellen had eight children; Mary Jane, Annie, Edward (Ned), Maggie, Jim, Kate, Daniel and Grace. The family moved to Avenel where, after 16 years without trouble, John was accused of calf stealing. He claimed that meat and a hide found at his home were from his own stock. He was cleared of the stealing charge, but found guilty of ‘unlawful possession of a hide’ and sentenced to six months’ jail or a 25-Pound fine. Unable to pay the fine, he did the time and emerged from jail a man broken in health and spirit. John Kelly died of dropsy in his 46th year. Eldest son Ned, then 11 years old, registered his father’s death. On 29 December 1866, John ‘Red’ Kelly was buried at Avenel Cemetery.

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Season's Greetings to all from the Ned Kelly Centre!

Timeline Photos

Tomorrow marks the 138th anniversary of the raid by the Kelly Gang on the National Bank at Euroa, North East Victoria (10 Dec 1878). The Gang had based themselves at Younghusband’s Station on Faithfull Creek outside Euroa, where the men were kept in a storeroom while the women had the run of the house. Any newcomers were also detained. Ned and Dan Kelly and Steve Hart went to Euroa, while Joe Byrne remained on guard at the homestead. The robbery netted 2000-Pounds. The Kelly Gang brought back with them to Faithfull Creek, the bank manager Robert Scott and his family, together with household staff and two bank clerks. Mrs Scott was to say they were treated with the utmost courtesy. Before they finally departed, the gang members staged a show of trick riding for their captives. It was during the Euroa robbery that Steve Hart was identified by one of the Scott’s household staff, who had been at school with him in Wangaratta. Not one shot was fired during the Euroa bank robbery. (Picture from State Library of Victoria collection)

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On 23 March 1917, Private Frederick Arthur Foster arrived in France on board the Barambah and attached to the 17th Battalion. He was killed in action on 15 April 1917 at Lagincourt, France, and buried in the trenches.He was 28 years old. He is now commemorated on the Villiers-Bretonneux Memorial in France, the Oxley Shire War Memorial in Victoria, and the Forbes Historical Museum NSW. Fred was the first born of Kate Kelly. After Kate's death in 1898, Fred and his siblings were brought to Greta to be raised by his grandmother, Ellen. In honour and loving memory of Pte Frederick Foster and all who gave their lives for freedom. Lest we forget.

Photos from Ned Kelly Centre's post

Edward 'Ned' Kelly was executed 136 years ago today. We thank the people who continue to honour his memory and life at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Also thinking of his mother, Ellen. (Due to a technical glitch, this post has had to be created and posted three times - apologies if you have received all three!)

Hi everyone, We are working hard to get the Ned Kelly Centre project off the ground. Like most things that are good, it takes hard work and effort. The Kelly story is not only an important part of Australian history and it has to be done right. Thank you to all our supporters. NKC

There may not be much happening on the page but we can assure you there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to get the Ned Kelly Centre Project off the ground. Thank you for your support. NKC.

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Hi, This is Joanne. I've popped onto the page to say, I've received many messages of support. I'm so grateful to all of you for sharing the vision of the NKC. Thank you.

Hands up who supports the Ned Kelly Centre! A recent gathering of Kelly family members and supporters showed overwhelming support for the NKC, and messages of support are still coming. Pictured: A first -wave show of hands from 101 family members and supporters, representing the Hart-Lloyd, Griffiths, Quinn and King lines.