August 4th, 5th and 6th, 2006

On Friday night, to kick start the Inaugural Ned Kelly Beechworth Weekend, Paul O’Keefe organised a meet and greet dinner at the Hibernian Hotel. This favourite haunt of Joe Byrne was a great place to catch up with about thirty of our closest friends. With a few donations by Brendan Pearse, Eric and Judy Douthie, and Ironoutlaw.com, there were plenty of take home gifts including an abundance of Ned: The Exhibition badges (which, by the end of the night, came in handy for the Handsel and Gretel’s). Coupled with tales of Ned, the beer and food were a perfect mix. The night was so successful Paul and I are considering putting in a request to the Indigo Shire to make it part of their official events for the 2007 Weekend. Staying in town afforded easy access to the weekend’s events, as well as the chance to savour the local produce, including the impressive ales by Beechworth’s new brewery The Bridge (the Australian Ale is a must try).

Saturday morning saw an Edward Kelly being escorted from the Railway Station to the holding cells, much to the awe of the many children lining his way. Afterwards Beechworth Court House played host to Ian Jones, who spoke to a sell out audience on The Jerilderie Letter and how it came into his (or more correctly Bronwyn Binns’) possession. For well over one hundred years Ned’s fifty-six page manifesto was secretly handed down from person to person while still managing to remain intact, a truly amazing feat. Considering it was constantly offered to, and rejected by, the National and Victorian libraries is a sad indictment on the value authorities place on some of our national treasures. I shudder to think that at any time during its \’lost years\’ The Jerilderie Letter could have been tossed into a fire! Despite a million dollar price tag placed on the Letter by an auction house, Binns decided a reinvigorated State Library of Victoria was now worthy of hosting this magnificent treasure. On their promise to archive, catalogue, and present the document to the public, Jones organised the hand over. Finally, more than a century after his death, the world finally got to read Ned Kelly’s magnum opus.

After midday the Court House was once again the focal point of the Weekend with a Talk on Ellen Kelly and the Launch of the Women’s 125th Anniversary Commemorative Quilt. Speakers included two of the region’s better-known identities, Noelene Allen and Noeleen Lloyd. The afternoon saw a Re-enactment of Ned Kelly’s Preliminary Hearing and subsequent Trial. It was here in August 1880 that Ned was brought to Beechworth by special train to answer a charge of murder. The impressive theatrics were scripted by Ian Jones and played memorably by a host of local identities fronted by Mr Gaunson played by ex-stage coach driver Ian Sinclair. Our step back in time afforded us the luxury of viewing an abridged version of the Melbourne trial and the heated exchange between Ned and his arch nemesis Redmond Barry.

What was clear as you left the Court House was the massive bias Ned received by the so-called justice system: Ned’s total legal aid budget was less than a barristers daily wage; Kelly was refused an extension to brief his new council; the Judge was physically unfit to sit the case (Barry died a week after Ned was hanged); Thomas McIntyre, the only witness at Stringybark, constantly perjured himself; when the Crown submitted the Jerilderie Letter as evidence, the inexperienced Defence counsel Henry Bindon appealed (rendering as inadmissible Ned’s only chance of justifying his actions); by ruling out self-defence, Judge Barry misdirected the jury. In their rush to get the trial over and done with, the Government’s list of faux pas was endless.

With pre-debate drinks at the Bourke Museum, the night’s activities started early. While enjoying refreshing ales with Paddy, I afforded myself a quick glance at the current Ned Kelly exhibition, a pale imitation compared to the magnificent event at the Old Melbourne Gaol in 2002. It was then over to the Town Hall for the Great Debate, with the topic: Ned Kelly – An inappropriate hero for Australia, where we were shown to our seats by the well oiled Beechworth volunteers. These enthusiastic supporters were a main contributor to the overall success of the weekend. A personal hero of mine, Barry Jones, chaired the Debate. I managed a quick meeting with Mr Jones and presented him with a Jerilderie Letter poster. While the topic of the debate was a little obscure, I would’ve preferred the word icon to hero, the opposing sides were well represented.

For the affirmative was ABC broadcaster Kathy Bedford (who has an unhealthy affection for the Ablett family), Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon, and Julian Burnside QC. Representing the negative was Ian Jones, Keith McMenomy (author of Ned Kelly: The Authentic Illustrated History), and John McQuilton (that forgetful Professor who never replied to my request that he write the foreword to Australian Son).

After a brief introduction by Barry Jones, Ian Jones spoke first and then each side took turns at the lectern. Julian Burnside was quick to point out similarities between Ned’s actions and those recently passed Commonwealth laws regarding terrorism. Interesting to note that Burnside was keen to stress we should make our dislike of these measures known to our local representatives. Coupled with his work with asylum seekers, it was magnificent posturing and got him a loud round of applause. However, I wonder what Julian’s take on George Washington would be? For surely Mr Washington’s actions in the lead up to the War Of Independence was paramount to terrorism. But of course, history is written by the victors.

Barry Jones concluded the evening by popular vote that saw a 70/30 return in favour of the Negative Side. Ian Jones accepted the stainless steel Ned trophy that I gather will spend four months on each of the three Debaters mantle pieces. After the Debate the VIP paying guests (and a sprinkling of freeloaders) were invited back to the Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel for drinks, eats and a chance to chat with the celebrities. Having a chance for a one-on-one was a great way to finish the night, with the likes of Ian Jones and Bill Denheld keen to continue the discussion. The Great Debate with its pre and post hospitality showed what should be done to run a successful evening. The VIP price of only $69 afforded a lot more luxury than the now defunct Glenrowan Dinner. It showed up a vast difference in event management, generosity and client satisfaction. Enough said.

Sunday dawned to another day of perfect weather. While the Preliminary Hearing and Trial was again re-enacted, the Court House was also the focal point for music and dance as well as a chance to flog off a few Kelly collectibles. While the life size Kelly statues were impressive they were nothing compared to the two-wheeled work of art parked on the lawn. Legendary blacksmith Nick Hawtin’s Harley with the appropriate number plate NDKLY is a piece of machinery worth seeing. In the afternoon Paul O’Keefe introduced a light hearted bout staged between \’Ned\’ and \’Wild\’ which fast forwarded through 20 rounds of \’bruising\’ action as a crowd of onlookers cheered and jeered the combatants. While the \’claret\’ was spilled in the earlier exhibition round, these blokes huffed and puffed to the amusement of the crowd. It was a fitting way to end the weekend, and the kids loved it.