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State probes Ned riddle
Farmer Tom Baxter delivered the skull to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine this week on the 129th anniversary of the notorious outlaw's hanging. State Coroner Jennifer Coate has formally opened an inquiry into the relinquished remains..... READ MORE
FURTHER READING Ian Jones speaks out
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Last update 01-07-2010 |
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Wednesday 11th November 2009 EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 am 11/11/2009 The Beechworth Historical Re-enactment Group (BHRG) is very proud to announce an exhibition of all four Kelly Gangs suits of Armour for the 2010 Ned Kelly Weekend, next year (6th to the 8th of August 2010). This is the most historical event to happen in Beechworth and is billed to be one of the key tourism events for Victoria in 2010. This is only the fourth time the armour has been together since 1880, and the first time outside a capital city. We believe that many Kelly enthusiasts will take the opportunity to visit Beechworth during the Festival to see this exhibition. Now in its eighth year and widely regarded as this country’s most important annual celebration of the Kelly legend, the weekend event commemorates the 130th anniversary of the outlaw’s committal hearing held in the historic Beechworth Courthouse from 6th to 11th August 1880, and his execution on the 11th of November 1880. The Beechworth Historical Re-enactment Group will unveil the full 2010 program at an official launch early next year. BHRG President, Adam Wynne-Jenkins, says visitors to Beechworth who view the armour will be amazed with the quality and workmanship of Australia’s most recognised artifacts. On Friday the 6th of August all Schools in the Indigo Shire, will be invited to view the armour free. Established 2008 and with a membership of 30 and growing fast, the BHRG is a committed living history group which recreates the Beechworth of the period 1852 to 1885. The BHRG is often seen on the streets of Beechworth and other regional centre’s taking part in street parades, displays and other commemorative activities including the re-enactment of the Kelly Gang robbery of the bank in Euroa in December 1878, and the recent Siege of Glenrowan in July 1880. This exhibition would not have been possible without the support of the State Library of Victoria, Victoria Police Museum, Museum Victoria and Rupert Hammond in conjunction with the Indigo Shire Council for Insurance coverage and the Beechworth Bakery (The Home of Ned Kelly Pies) as the major sponsor of the event. Media enquiries: Beechworth Re-enactment Group President, Adam Wynne-Jenkins and Bill Wilson Secretary are available for interview. Phone Adam on 0447 432 816 or email bailedup@gmail.com Phone Bill on 03 57 281 656 or Email billwilson2@mac.com Courtesy, Michael Beattie |
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Nolan’s painting sold for a record breaking $5.4m
Nolan’s $5.4m painting finds a new home at the NSW Gallery. (Updated 31/March/2010)
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Hurry! The exhibition is coming to a close as of the 25-June, but news is it may be extended until the second week of July. FURTHER READING |
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There has been a public appeal to help solve the mystery surrounding the purported skull of Ned Kelly. Kelly's skull was stolen from Old Melbourne Gaol in 1978 and last November, on the anniversary of Kelly's execution, farmer Tom Baxter handed in a skull which he claimed was the bushranger's. The coroner and Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine are still trying to determine whether it is authentic. The skull has now been CT-scanned and examined by pathologists and anthropologists but forensic specialists still need more information. Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls is calling for people to hand over any Kelly photos, artefacts or even bones that could be used to solve the mystery. "It's a tantalising puzzle that needs solving; I'm sure there is stuff out there in photo albums, in sheds, in backyards," he said. "I'm sure that someone will know someone who knows someone who knows something. So all we are really asking for them to do is come forward. "There's only so much that scientific expertise can do. Today, I'm calling on the public for help in this very important quest. "Is this indeed Ned's head? Or is it just another dull skull?" National Trust spokesman Martin Purslow says it no longer displays human remains, but is interested to know whether the skull that has been handed in is the one that was stolen. "We've moved on ethically and we would not want Ned Kelly's skull on display here anymore," he said. "We have Ned Kelly's death mask and we have many, many items related to Ned Kelly. "But how Ned Kelly's skull is treated, along with I suppose the remains of 135 people who were hanged at this site, is a matter that we would want to be part of the ethical debate on." Mr Baxter, from the remote Western Australian town of Derby, delivered the skull to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine after having it in his possession for years. It is not clear how Mr Baxter acquired the skull, after it was stolen from a glass cabinet in the Old Melbourne Gaol. Help is sought in six areas of research, to compare the scan with historical records and artefacts, including: - Remains of bones and teeth reportedly taken as souvenirs by students from the Working Men's College (now RMIT) lunching near the Old Melbourne Gaol when graves were exhumed in 1929. - A photograph of Alex Talbot, a former South Melbourne councillor, holding Ned Kelly's skull, which was mentioned in a newspaper report in 1997. - Any information on grave exhume contractor Mr Lee of Lee and Dunn or his family, who was responsible for delivering Kelly's skull to the governor. - Information about wax museum owner Maximilian Kreitmeyer who apparently made a death mask of Ned Kelly shortly after his execution. - Information about Sir Colin McKenzie, founder of the Australian Institute of Anatomy in Canberra, who was reportedly given Kelly's skull after exhumation. |
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Martin Purslow, Rob Hulls and David Ranson |
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Mystery of Ned Kelly’s skull to be solved by scientists A call for help |
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Tom Baxter with the skull he claims belongs to Ned Kelly |
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Ned’s death mask and skull |
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KELLY ARMOUR COMES TO Beechworth’s famous Ned Kelly Weekend Friday 6th – Sunday 8th August 2010 |
