Ned Kelly Centre

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Ned Kelly Centre Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ned Kelly Centre, Nonprofit Organization, PO Box 784, North Melbourne.

NKC, est.2015, maintained by local descendants of the original 'Kelly Family,' 'native' to NE Victoria - to inspire, educate & promote a greater understanding of 'Kelly Cultural Heritage', 'Australian cultural identity'.

On this day, October 17, 1871, Ellen Kelly learned the outcome of the September claim of maintenance she had brought aga...
16/10/2026

On this day, October 17, 1871, Ellen Kelly learned the outcome of the September claim of maintenance she had brought against Bill Frost, for support of their infant daughter Ellen Frost.
It was a rare win for Ellen when judgement was found in her favour, against William Frost was ordered to pay five shillings weekly for two years for support of his child.
Celebrating her success, Ellen exuberantly rode her horse through Benalla and was promptly charged with ‘furious riding in a public place’.
Ellen was known to be an expert horse rider, so this would have been really something to see!
It was reported later that:
‘At the Benalla Police Court, on Tuesday, before Mr. Butler, P.M., Ellen Kelly was charged with furious riding in the streets of Benalla on the 17th inst. Sergeant Whelan was proceeding with the case, when Mr. Butler said he must prove that Benalla had been proclaimed a town within the meaning of the Police Offences Statute. Sergeant Whelan said he had not the proof with him, but it had been admitted for some years, and he was therefore not prepared with the proof. Mr. Butler said he could not take the sergeant’s word, and put the case at the bottom of the list.
When the other cases had been disposed of, and the proof wasn’t forthcoming, Mr. Butler dismissed the case without prejudice.’
NKC
Image: Ellen Kelly, SLV.
Image: Benalla, SLV.

On this day, 9th of October 1878, Ellen Kelly received a harsh sentence of three years’ imprisonment. Ellen, her son-in-...
09/10/2026

On this day, 9th of October 1878, Ellen Kelly received a harsh sentence of three years’ imprisonment. Ellen, her son-in-law William Skillion, and neighbour William ‘Bricky’ Williamson were charged with the attempted murder of a policeman named Constable Fitzpatrick. Bill Skillion and Bricky Williamson each received ‘six years’ with hard labour for aiding and abetting the attempted murder.

Earlier in the same year, April 15th, Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick decided to go to the Kelly home to arrest Dan Kelly on a charge of horse stealing. This incident became what is known as the ‘Fitzpatrick Affair’. Fitzpatrick, claimed he was attacked by the widow Mrs Kelly and others, including Ned Kelly, who later denied this claim. The Kelly family always held the believe that Constable Fitzpatrick accosted Kate Kelly on that day. Kate was only fourteen at the time. Only two years after, Constable Fitzpatrick was dismissed from the force. The official record states “generally bad and discreditable to the force”.
JG, 2026.

Image: Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick – SLV

On this day in 1871, Ellen Kelly, the mother of Edward 'Ned' Kelly, bravely brought a claim of maintenance against Bill ...
19/09/2026

On this day in 1871, Ellen Kelly, the mother of Edward 'Ned' Kelly, bravely brought a claim of maintenance against Bill Frost for support of their infant daughter, Ellen Frost. This case she later won!


Image: Carrier Street, Benalla, c1907, State Library of Victoria

In September of 1870, ‘General Tom Thumb’, his and his Troupe of entertainers were touring North East Victoria. This cau...
19/09/2026

In September of 1870, ‘General Tom Thumb’, his and his Troupe of entertainers were touring North East Victoria. This caused great excitement in the region, and the Kelly's would have known all about the Troupe's arrival.

The ‘General’ – real name Charles Sherwood Stratton (4 January 1838 - 15 July 1883) – was an American entertainer of international renown; he had hugely successful tours of Europe and Britain, and performed for Queen Victoria.
He was long associated with legendary showman PT Barnum and, despite being multi-talented, Tom Thumb’s impersonation of Napoleon Bonaparte earned him particular fame.
But the troupe of entertainers very nearly drowned while crossing a swollen creek at Baddaginnie, approximately 12 km south west of Benalla.

“The first coach got fairly stuck and the driver of the second went to render assistance, leaving his horses on the edge of a rotten bank. The ground soon began to slip. The horses grew restive and leaped forward … as luck would have it, the king bolt was not strapped down, this was wrenched out and the horses started off with the pole and two fore-wheels; the coach falling harmlessly to the ground,” reported the Ensign in Benalla.

The entertainers eventually made their way safely to Benalla, and arrived to meet a huge crowd of cheering townspeople.

As described in the local newspaper the following day: “The juveniles of Benalla were very excited yesterday and the previous day at the appearance of Mr Nutt and his pretty little horses and carriage, and afterwards by the appearance of General Tom Thumb and his wife (Mrs Charles Stratton), with Commodore Nutt and Miss Minnie Warren, the latter quartet arriving by two of Cobb’s coaches about half-past 1pm yesterday.
“The party gave an afternoon performance to large audiences at the Commercial Assembly Rooms, when they delighted the patrons both young and old, in the highest degree. The principle attractions were the Commodore and Miss Minnie Warren. The exquisite grace of the latter charmed all observers, while the Commodore turned the heads of the ladies. All the party sing very nicely, and their representation of the old folks and other performances were much relished.”

When Tom Thumb and his Troupe arrived in Wangaratta, they once again drew a large crowd. As, from all accounts, the Troupe had incredibly talent.
One particular entertaining events was when, barely seeing over the billiard table, Commodore Nutt and another one of the Troupe played a game with Dr Hutchinson at the Royal Victoria Hotel. We have no information of who won that particular billiard game, but, due to the fact that it wasn't reported (as we have seen at least) , it may have been Commodore Nutt!



Image: Tom Thumb and his wife [Lavinia Warren], ca 1864, State Library of Victoria

The first day of Spring in beautiful 'KELLY COUNTRY'!
01/09/2026

The first day of Spring in beautiful 'KELLY COUNTRY'!

August 31, 1903 – Death of Monsignor Charles O’HeaToday in 1903, Melbourne lost a powerhouse of social change and suppor...
31/08/2026

August 31, 1903 – Death of Monsignor Charles O’Hea

Today in 1903, Melbourne lost a powerhouse of social change and support with passing of Rev. Monsignor O’Hea, at his residence in Coburg. He was the Catholic priest who ministered the Last Rites to Edward Kelly, and supported him through the ex*****on.

Monsignor O’Hea was the youngest of a very large family, in which the medical, army, and marine professions were largely represented. He frequently referred to the longevity of his relatives, saying that his brother was 82 when he died, his grandfather was 85, and his paternal great-grandmother 115; The lady, De Lacy and of that family who were prominent in the siege of Limerick, one of whom subsequently became a general in the Russian army.
Monsignor O’Hea was born in Cork, Ireland, on April 1, 1814, and was educated in Rome. In 1840, he returned to Ireland and engaged in missionary work in connection to the church, chiefly in his native city, until 1852, when he embarked for Melbourne by the ship Koh o' Noir.

On is arrival he was appointed to the chaplaincy of Pentridge, a position he held until 1882, and subsequently to the charge of St. Paul’s, Coburg for 40 years; Although, his ‘beat’ covered a vast area, extending from Brunswick to Yan Yean.
He continued to the occasional ministerial duty of visiting and until about the Church of St. Ignatius, Richmond, on Sunday mornings, up until three years before his death. He was a significant figure in the church, and gave liberal support to many charities. He requested that after his death, his residence to become the Mercy Convent after his death; Melbourne home for the Sisters of Mercy, whom Father O’Hea had recruited to teach at St Paul’s Primary School.

Monsignor O’Hea was interred in the crypt for Roman Catholic Priests, Mortuary Chapel, Melbourne General Cemetery.

Images 1 & 2: Monsignor Charles O'Hea
Image 3: The ship 'Koh o' Noir, painting by J. Scott

This time in 1947, continued:It was reported, that two local councils "have joined descendants of the original Kelly fam...
16/08/2026

This time in 1947, continued:
It was reported, that two local councils "have joined descendants of the original Kelly family in their determined fight against the making of a new Kelly film in Glenrowan district.
Council has sent a letter to the superintendent of police, Benalla, protesting against the filming of a new Kelly story in the district. The shire president of one council, said the council felt so strongly on the subject that, if necessary, it would send a deputation to Mr Cain, Premier, seeking his intervention, whilst, the other
has decided to ask the Chief Secretary to prevent the film company from operating in the district."

It was also stated, that:
"Feeling has always run high in the district on the subject of Ned Kelly and his companions. When the old hotel building on the site of the Kelly gang’s last fight with the police was taken over as a café it was called “The Last Stand Cafe.” One night some men tore down the wooden sign and burnt it in front of the cafe.
A member of the film company who has spent this week in the district seeking “locations” for filming of sequences where possible on the actual historic sites received another warning yesterday.
And:- Resentment is not confined to direct descendants of the Kelly and Hart families. Police at Benalla are being approached daily by district residents, who ask what can be done to stop the film.
A Benalla business man said yesterday:
“I can’t remember anything that has stirred up so much feeling locally. It all boils down to the fact that Ned is very much a hero here-abouts- and this is still Kelly country.”
It saddens us that, local councils no longer show such respect and support to our family, particularly, in regard to the NKC Museum project, which was publicly announced on November 11, 2015. Instead, council chose to go against the authorised Kelly family project, and decided to take their own path.

Please note: the use of the term, 'Kelly Country' in the article of 1947.

Such is life.

Image: Newspaper headline, circa, 1947.

14/08/2026

Kelly Street - Kelly Country!

BUSHRANGING FILM STIR IN GLENROWAN - Kelly's May Ride again!In August 1947, an article was printed regarding yet another...
14/08/2026

BUSHRANGING FILM STIR IN GLENROWAN - Kelly's May Ride again!

In August 1947, an article was printed regarding yet another'Kelly film:

"Residents of Glenrowan threaten that the Kellys may ride again, if an Australian film company persists with its intention to make a film based on the life of bushranger Ned Kelly.

FARMERS in the district are hostile towards the company, and a rugged, bearded personality gave the “Get-out-of-town-before-sunset” order yesterday to representatives of the company inspecting Glenrowan for “location.”
Appearing as if he had just stepped out of a chapter of Ned’s life, he said: “If these legal methods fail to stop you, you will still have descendants of the Kelly family to reckon with.”
Hundreds of farmers in the district have signed the petition for presentation to Parliament for a ban on the proposed film.
A tall picturesque character, said, “Why should we descendants of one man who was a bushranger be crucified because someone wants to make a crime picture?”

Robin Hood Atmosphere

Another Kelly descendant ominously recalled that some years ago, when a Kelly film was shown at Wilby, near Wangaratta, the audience smashed the projector and tore the film to shreds.
Producer-director of the proposed film, Mr. Harry Southwell, said in Melbourne today that members of the company had received warnings, and he was surprised at the hostility shown in Benalla, Wangaratta and surrounding districts.
He said the film, called “As game as Ned Kelly,” was being made at the suggestion of a major American company. He could only see in the story a Robin Hood atmosphere.
He added: “There is nothing disparaging in the script, either about the manhood of the Kellys or the integrity of the police.”
Another official said: “It looks as though they were oiling their ri**es up Glenrowan way now, but for our part, they can ‘pull their heads in’ – preferably into something like Ned’s iron headpiece”". (end).

When it comes to making films, and the representation of our family, the Kelly's - We whole-heartedly believe that, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"!
-Kelly Descendant, Joanne Griffiths.

Images 1,2: Harry Southwell, circa 1923
Image 3: Newspaper title, 1947.

By the end of June, 1880, the battle at Glenrowan was over. The site remains one of the most important sites in Australi...
30/06/2026

By the end of June, 1880, the battle at Glenrowan was over.

The site remains one of the most important sites in Australian history.

As a family, we hold the place of these events very close to our hearts.

NKC

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PO Box 784
North Melbourne, VIC
3051

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