Jerilderie Letter Event

February 8th-10th 2008

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HISTORY OF THE JERILDERIE LETTER

The Jerilderie Letter Event commemorates the 1879 raid on Jerilderie by Ned Kelly, Dan Kelly, Steven Hart and Joe Byrne.  The raid took place between Saturday February 8th and Monday February 10.  During the raid, the Gang robbed the Bank of New South Wales of 2140 pounds, held more than 30 local residents hostage and locked the police in their own cell.

While the thirty hostages were detained in the Royal Mail Hotel, Ned Kelly addressed them, saying police persecution had led to the deaths of the three policemen at Stringybark Creek and the subsequent activities of the Gang.

Ned Kelly tried to locate the editor of the Jerilderie Newspaper, Mr Sam Gill, saying he wanted him to publish his account of the events of the past eleven years.  Ned tried to hand the now famous 'Jerilderie Letter' to Mrs. Gill who refused to take it, upon which bank teller Mr. Edward Living offered to take custody of the letter until  Mr. Gill's return when it could then be published.

Mr. Living did not give the manuscript to Mr. Gill but kept it himself; and it did not resurface until more than 100 years after the event.

Transcript of the Jerilderie Letter

The Jerilderie Letter Event activities will commence with the Gala Dinner including 'The Great Debate' and lively Irish and Scottish folk music.  A re-enactment of the Kelly gang's raid on Jerilderie is sure to intrigue and entertain.  A family fun night by the Lake; vintage car display, bus tours of the many Ned Kelly sites, poets' breakfast, lake side markets and much more, will make for a memorable weekend for all.  Check out the Event Program for full program details.

The 2008 Jerilderie Letter Event is proudly sponsored by:

Jerilderie Shire Council

Peter Lawer Signs. Shepparton

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