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The final resting place of Ned has been shrouded in mystery for many years. Until recently new evidence has emerged pin pointing the exact location of mass burial graves at the grounds of the former Pentridge jail. Historians and Kelly enthusiasts believed without a doubt Ned was buried under the old exercise yard now known as the Emily Macpherson Building. I found this a bit hard to swallow as the official prison cemetery was located on the other side of the grounds facing Bowen Street. The Emily McPherson building had extensive work done to it during 2009. Archaeologists also surveyed the area as the works revealed footings of the men’s exercise yard. However, no evidence was found suggesting that this immediate area was in fact a burial ground.
Ned was originally buried at the grounds of the old Melbourne jail back on the 11th of November 1880 after his execution. Ned’s remains remained undisturbed for approximately 49 years. In 1929 the South West and South East section of the jail were to be demolished making way for a new project, the construction of the Working Men’s College. The prison cemetery and women’s cells block were a thing of the past. Whilst excavations were taken place workers carefully sifted through a maze of graves as some were clearly marked whereas some were not. Unfortunately with all due care taken there was one incident noted where a contractor accidently come across a grave bearing the initial EK. Workers rushed to the scene in a frenzy in hope of souveniring a piece of Kelly legend. However, this was not the case as the remains discovered contained a skull. Ned was obviously buried without a skull. Ned along with other executed prisoners were exhumed and transferred to Pentridge in 1929.
Pentridge Historian and good friend Viv Paine was handed a document in 2006 which yielded a vital clue, the last resting place of Ned Kelly had been discovered in the grounds of Pentridge. The document was a hand drawn map of where a large number of exhumed remains from the OMG were reinterred at Pentridge in 1929. Not only did the map reveal the exhumed remains it also helped in the search for locating the resting place of Roland Ryan. The remains until then were lost in time.
The secrecy surrounding the document lead me to look deeper into the story. I used all resources to help me locate the site of the mass grave, News footage, satellite imagery, newspapers, and finally using some investigative skills I acquired whilst working as a PI. With all the information at hand and no real idea where the mass grave would be located, I set out determined to make this adventure a Success. I had succeeded almost immediately upon my arrival as my instincts lead me directly to the site, overwhelmed with success I quickly proceeded to sketch, photograph and analyse the scene of what was the unknown resting place for so many tortured souls.
Currently the remains are safely in the hands of the Melbourne Forensic team, and I wait patiently for the results of their findings and eventually a Christian burial for Ned and other executed souls. Armed with what I believe to be more than sufficient evidence, the document in question cannot be dismissed, and to even suggest that Ned’s body was stolen, never buried, or in fact buried in another part of the jail is ludicrous.
NOTE: The white tent marks the spot where the remains of Ned were found
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Unearthing history at RMIT (From the RMIT Archives)
A hidden slice of history has been uncovered as part of the $23 million redevelopment of RMIT University’s Emily McPherson building, with parts of the Old Melbourne Gaol revealed for the first time since the1920s.
Sections of the Melbourne Gaol complex were demolished and built over when the Emily McPherson College was constructed in 1927, but an archaeological excavation undertaken before the start of the redevelopment work has unearthed some intriguing remnants dating back to the 1860s. The features exposed and carefully documented by archaeologists include parts of the circular panopticon watchtower, some of the radial walls that delineated the men’s exercise yards, traces of a shelter, paving and surface drains.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said the renovations were part of the University’s $500 million investment in capital works on the City campus, with the Emily McPherson building to become the new home for the Graduate School of Business and the Juris Doctor program. We’re very pleased that the restoration work has revealed more of Melbourne’s past, albeit briefly,” Professor Gardner said. “We’ve worked with archaeologists to record what the diggings have revealed.
Head of the Graduate School of Business, Professor John Toohey, said the extent of the historical remains hidden beneath the Emily McPherson building was surprising. “Consideration is now being given to building strategies that will allow the protection and retention of as much of the gaol remains as is feasible,” Professor Toohey said. “We’re also exploring the possibilities of interpreting the remaining gaol elements within the fabric of the newly refurbished building.”
Other features uncovered in the archaeological excavations are footings of the main bluestone perimeter gaol wall, revealed within the Ethel Osborne Hall. Footings from the north-west corner of the former Chief Warder’s house were also revealed, at the northern end of the Emily McPherson building. |
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Photos courtesy Bruce Johnson. Remnants of the yesteryear.... Men’s exercise yard |
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X marks the spot where Ned’s remains were found |
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The above document is what started it all and much credit goes to Viv Paine and associates for their efforts in researching and finally locating the mass graves at Pentridge.
The above sketch is not the original document. I took the liberty to clean up the rough edges as the original was difficult to read. Text and positions of graves have not been altered. |