The Reporting of Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang

Trudy Toohill

At the time, Ned Kelly’s bushranging exploits were the biggest news story in the country. From 1869 to 1910 numerous newspaper articles were published on him. The Reporting of Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang is a compilation of these articles which tell this historic story as it was read by the nation over a century ago. Each article gives a remarkable insight into the world of Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang. They also offer the reader a greater appreciation for what it was like for the men who had the arduous and often dangerous job of tracking them in the harsh and unforgiving Australian bush. These brave men were known as ‘The Kelly Hunters’.
These articles also contain transcripts and interviews from numerous hostages who were held captive by Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang. These personal accounts offer a greater understanding into what these victims endured. Today, Australia’s bushranging history is often ‘romanticised’ and Ned Kelly is considered one of Australia’s greatest folk heroes. However at the time, the media painted him in a very different light. The Reporting of Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang is a fascinating read that provides a remarkable insight into the feelings of a nation caught in the middle of these tragic events.