Ned Kelly - Hero or Villain?

Introduction

Introduction

Bushrangers

During the first hundred years of Australian white history there were always bushrangers - men who robbed, stole stock, and often were in trouble with the authorities. Bushrangers were generally convicts. However, some bush rangers were just young men looking for adventure and freedom from everyday work.  Most of these bush rangers died by violence at an early age. One such bush ranger was Ned Kelly, who was shot in the leg, put on trial for the murder of a police constabel, found guilty, and later hanged. 

 Ned KellyNed Kelly was an Irish Australian bushranger who was born in Beveridge, Victoria in 1855. In his youth, he often got into trouble with the police.Ned Kelly and friends Joe Byrne and Steve Hart, and brother Dan, became outlaws for the murder of three policemen and robbery of a series of banks. They were named the Kelly Gang.On June 28, 1880, the Kelly Gang had their last confrontation with the police. All but Ned Kelly were killed in the shoot-out. After the fight Ned was captured and hanged for his crimes.Even today, Ned Kelly is still remembered by many. Some regard him as a hero for resisting against the ruling class while others see him as a heartless criminal. In this webquest, you will uncover the true story behind Ned Kelly and will be able to answer the following questions:

  • What was Ned Kelly's life like and how did he become famous?
  • What was Australia like in the days that Ned lived?
  • Was Ned Kelly a hero or just a murderer?

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Task

Your Task

The Kelly Gang has been stopped!! Ned Kelly has been captured and his trial will begin in one week! Your task for this WebQuest is to examine the Kelly case and decide whether Ned Kelly is guilty or innocent. After taking a stance, you must write a letter to Lord Justice Redmond Barry explaining whether Ned Kelly should be freed or punished. Were the Kelly Gang justified for their actions or were they just cold-blooded killers? 

 



Process

What do you need to do to complete this task?

In order to convince Lord Justice Redmond Barry that Ned Kelly is either innocent or guilty you must first complete the webquest tasks below. These will give you a great understanding of Ned Kelly and will therefore help you to write your letter next week.

 

Task 1

  • Complete a profile of Ned Kelly by using search engines such as google

Task 2

Each group will be asked to focus on one of the bold headings below. Under each heading are several questions and/or activities that must be completed. 

Kelly's Family

1. Activity: Fill in Ned's Family Tree

2. Why were Ned's parents sent to Australia? 

3. Read the link and write 10 things about the Kelly family - http://prov.vic.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/ned-kelly/the-kelly-story/the-kelly-family

4. Do you think that John and Ellen were ideal parents for Ned? Why/why not?  

5. Were the Kelly family members victims of their convict and Irish background?

Police

1. What police officer went to Kelly's house in April, 1878?  http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/explore/fact-sheets/ned-kelly-fact-sheet

2. Why did the police officer go to their house? 

3. What happened when the police officer was at their house? What was Ned blamed for?

4. What happened at Stringybark Creek betwen Ned and the police? Do you think the Kelly Gang did the right thing?

http://prov.vic.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/ned-kelly/the-kelly-story/string-bark-creek

5. What happened at Glenrowan Inn?

http://prov.vic.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/ned-kelly/the-kelly-story/glenrowan

Community

1. Where did the Kelly gang steal money from? What did they do with the money?

http://www.nedkellys.com.au/neds_history.html

http://www.convictcreations.com/history/nedkelly.htm

2. Who was Aaron Sherritt and what did the Kelly gang do to him?

3. Did the community believe that Ned and his gang were innocent or guilty? Explain how you know.

4. What is the Jerilderie letter and why did Ned write it?

Ned Kelly's Trial
1. What happened on the evening of Ned's capture?

http://www.ironoutlaw.com/html/writings_white_15.html

2. Who was the judge and the witnesses in Ned Kelly's trial?http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/813140?searchTerm=&searchLimits=l-publictag=Ned+Kelly

3. What happened during the Ned Kelly trial?

4. What was Ned Kelly sentenced to?

5. Do you believe this was the right punishment? Why/why not?

Evaluation