27^th & 28^th November 2004, Kelly Weekend to Beechworth, organiser Trevor Hudson

At 8.30am on Saturday 27th November, twenty happy Ulyssians from Yarra Ranges and Two Bays branches gathered at the Todd Road Service Station on a lovely sunny morning to begin our long awaited ride to Beechworth and surrounding areas to visit the memorabilia of Ned Kelly, his associates and family.

Organised by Trevor Hudson (and magnificently may I say) we started off and travelled north to a small town called Beveridge. It was near here that Ned Kelly was born around December 1854 and we inspected the still standing home where he lived with his parents John Ellen from 1859 to 1863. Trevor explained how the Kelly and Quinn families happened to arrive in Victoria from their original homes in Ireland. We then donned helmet etc. and rode a short distance to inspect the Roman Catholic Church where Ned went to school.

We then set off to Avenel, where we called in at the Old Coach House for morning tea. That was lovely and much appreciated. The Shelton family used to run this place as an Inn and it was their son Richard who was rescued from drowning in Hughes Creek by Ned Kelly. In appreciation Mr Shelton gave Ned a green silk sash, which incidentally Ned had on when he was finally captured. We had morning tea outside in the gardens under beautiful large trees, in a lovely breeze. We were then invited into the house for a look around. The home has been kept in its original state and has 3 double rooms that guests can stay in, which would be great and very old world. We were then shown a video of the history of the home and surrounding area made by Peter Drummond who now lives in the home.

We then headed off to Benalla where we visited the grave of Joe Byrne, which is the only marked grave of a Kelly gang member. We also saw the Boot Shop where Ned had a violent fight with 4 police officers while on the way to the Benalla Court House on a charge of being drunk and disorderly the previous day.

It was then time for lunch at the Royal Hotel and a few cool drinks which we were all looking forward to, as it was very hot, especially with protective gear on. Feeling refreshed we then visited the Benalla Museum, which had a couple of short videos and interesting displays of Kelly history.

On the bikes again we headed for Glenrowan. We visited the siege site where Ann Jones had her Inn (which was burnt to the ground during the siege), and nearby where Ned was captured. We also walked down to the Glenrowan Railway Station where the Kelly gang had planned to hold up the train beyond the bend, but the train driver had been warned off. After a 15-minute break for a cool drink, we then went to Kates Cottage which included a museum outlining the Kelly story and a reconstructed hut similar to that which the Kelly’s lived in at nearby Greta in the 1880’s.

We then rejoined the Highway briefly to refuel at the BP service station before heading off via Milawa to Beechworth. Everyone except Trevor and myself settled in at the Carriage Motor Inn about 6pm. There had been a problem with accommodation, so Trevor and myself stayed at the Armour Motor Inn not far away. It had been a hot day so we all had a few cool drinks and those that wanted to had a dip in the swimming pool. After showers etc. we met at the Hibernian Hotel about 7pm for dinner, drinks and to socialize. Later Trevor handed everyone a quiz sheet to see how well we remembered the day’s occurrences. Pam and Gerd Brachmann were the winners, who were rewarded with a Kelly souvenir thermometer; well done.

After dinner a few of us went back to the Carriage Motor Inn for a few drinks around the swimming pool. It was lovely after a very interesting and busy day. About 1am on Sunday we decided to call it a night and Alan Lindley kindly walked me home to where Trevor and I were staying. I tried to be quiet as Trevor was already asleep. We had a good sleep and apparently there is a myth that Trevor snores, well I didn’t hear him from my room, maybe the red wine I consumed helped.

Sunday morning we had breakfast at the Beechworth Bakery. We then met around the corner from the Bakery for a half hour guided walking tour around the historic precinct and listen to a talk by Darren on the involvement of the Kellys at Beechworth. We saw jails, which were very primitive, court houses etc. People were jailed for very small incidents in those days. I visited the historic Telegraph Station which is still operating and sending messages by Morse Code. I watched as the operator Mr Leo Nette sent my message. It was fascinating. By the way the message was to my Mum and she received the message the next day. Go Aussie Post, well done.

Just after 10am we departed Beechworth and rode down the scenic King Valley. We stopped for morning tea at Whitfield, then on good gravel (3km each way) to Powers Lookout for a view and info on Harry Power the bushranger who taught Ned a few tricks. The view was beautiful; we were so high up in the hills. We stood on a steel grate hanging over the mountain, wow; glad it took our weight. We looked down over buildings, meadows which were so luxuriously green and mountains as high as you could see. This was not the real Harry Power Lookout, so we progressed down and up windy steps, which had been installed for tourists, past great boulders etc. real bush. The view was beautiful. Then we had to climb back, some did it easy, some not so easy, including yours truly.

We then rode to the infamous Stringybark Creek where 3 mounted Police were shot dead. Access is via a 11.6km gravel road, luckily it was dry, but still good practice for those who have not ridden dirt bikes. We then walked around and saw the memorials of the three mounted Police who were shot dead on 26 October 1878. Stringybark Creek is also interesting as it is, as it's name - a water creek almost full of bark, sticks etc.

We then rode to Mansfield for lunch/fuel. Before leaving Mansfield we visited the Cemetery to see the graves of the 3 Policemen – Thomas Lonigan, Thomas McIntyre and Michael Kennedy.

Then on our bikes again and headed south via Yea and arrived at Yarra Glen about 4.30pm where we had cool drinks and coffee at the Grand hotel until we said goodbye and made our own way home.

I would like to thank Gary, Anna and Neale for guiding me back from Yarra Glen to Dandenong, it was nice to have company. Everyone who came on this ride now knows a lot more about the famous outlaw Ned Kelly, his family and associates.

I would like to congratulate Trevor Hudson on a wonderful two days ride. It was so finely researched and with so many different types of roads suited many different riding skills. Thanks also to Rick Marr and Merrilyn Dunbabin who were tail-persons; they did a wonderful job.

Report & Photos by Lyn Neenan (Two Bays)