Where was Ned Kelly Born? Bill Denheld                               1 July 2005

Some say - no one knows,  why can't we simply leave it at that? The problem with that is in years to come they will say 'we' knew his birthplace was over there three km further north, and now they've  build a free way over it.  As reported at the Kilmore Historical Society monthly meeting, Maikel Annalee’s research narrows down the most likely scenario.

Historians have tended to agree Ned Kelly was born at Beveridge Victoria some 36 Km North East of Melbourne. A land mark hill there is Mount Fraser, previously in the 1800's (Mount Bland or Big Hill). From all accounts, historians have accepted this hill near where Ned was born as described in various publications, but we now narrow that down by some 3 kilometers to a place we call the  Arrowsmith square mile block that was rented by James Quinn, Ned Kelly's grand father.

Although somewhat obscure, the real birth place of Ned is related to the location where the new Kelly couple John and Ellen first lived, (but not accurately recorded). However, from city newspaper reports of the day (after the Kelly Gang’s capture), plus  Mansfield news paper proprietor G. Wilson Hall, who  wrote what is a most definitive account of the Kelly saga ‘The Outlaws of the Wombat Ranges’ 1879, are the first accounts and should be strictly adhered to unless better information comes available.

This image from a vantage point on the old Quinn property would have been very familiar to the families. Ned's birth place is within short distance in this view. Codes to this view are-
1 D E,  Mount Fraser known as Big Hill,  2B-  Where Ned was born, -between the two trees is where the little shack -house that John Red Kelly had built   stood.   2C- Only just shows the little hill Ned said he was born near while traveling on the train back to Melbourne after his capture.  3G- The Quinn homestead still stands behind the tree right. 
4F- Right behind the photographer is the little plaque in memory of Mary Jane Kelly.

There are not many records. The most illustrious of all books on the subject ‘Ned Kelly’ The Authentic Illustrated History, by Kelly historian Keith McMenomy, he writes, in essence ;

" the new couple, John Kelly and Ellen Quinn started their married life as ‘virtual houskeepers’ . John Kelly was a handy carpenter and James Quinn allowed him to erect a dwelling for his wife and himself on a portion of their land. They lived in a little hut near the Merri Creek on the Quinn property. It was here that two children were born. ‘Mary Jane’ and ‘Anne 1853’. Mary died when she was only six months old." Picture, This little plaque is in memory of Mary Jane Kelly. 1850. Daughter of John and Ellen.

About this time John Kelly was lured to the goldfields and he made some money. On his return he purchased a property on the southern slope of Big Hill just near where the quarry now operates.
It is said this property of 41 acres had numerous buildings on it. In 1854 they bought another ½ acre town allotment and sold the 41 acres. This indicates John and Ellen still lived on the Quinn property.  
At this time Ellen was expecting another child. There is a possibility Ellen went to her parents house * for the birth, makes the exact location of the occasion uncertain. June 1855.*  Writes McMenomy. 
(* on the Quinn rented block we refer to as the Arrowsmith square mile)
 
Another version, according to Kelly historian Ian Jones, he writes in his book ‘Ned Kelly, A Short Life’, in essence ; ‘John’ had built a rental house on a ½ acre town allotment on the southern flank of Big Hill (Mt Fraser). It was here that Ned was born Dec 1854 with the help of midwife Mrs. David Gorman, who lived on the eastern flank of the hill.  ( actually it was old Mrs. Mary Gorman mother of David and she lived on the eastern bank of Merri Creek a fair way from Mt Fraser)

Here we have two different and contradictory accounts of both dates and place. No doubt the absence of recorded proof has allowed varied versions to be canvassed and we may never know the whole truth. We can however examine all the information available and listen to handed down local oral history as well. More often it is very close to the mark.

From an oral history point of view this seems to have been ignored to date. There are still local families that will tell you Ned was born over there, along that road is where the Kellys traveled to get to town, they lived over there, but no one seemed to take it all too seriously. This is no criticism, as the story is very complex. The information is however only recently being unraveled, and it is hoped it is not too late to preserve what should have recognised as important Heritage sites long ago.

Our primary sources for the following information comes from Mr and Mrs Bill Laffan and family, descendants of the Gorman family, Gary Dean, newspaper reports, books by Ian Jones, Keith McMenomy, who primarily used G. Wilson. Hall’s account of 1879, and Maikel Annalee who brought it all together.

Records regarding the young couple - John and Ellen Kelly -

1. they had two children on Quinn’s leased property. ( Why not Ned as well ?)

2.  John Kelly had built a dwelling described as a ‘snug little hut’ on a corner of Quinn’s land.
( G W Hall  1879)

3. From The Age news paper, 29th June 1880, after Ned was captured at Glenrowan, he was on the train heading south to Melbourne. When he approached Beveridge he noted to the officer, police, guard and reporter, “look across there to the left, do you see a little Hill over there? The officer nodded, -  that was where I drew my first breath".*  Ned was lying on a mattress and may not have been able to look out the window, but he knew where he was, the next station was Beveridge. Remember the train is heading south. Big Hill or Mt Fraser is on the right. * The Age 29th June 1880,

* Note, the quote from Alex C. Castles book ' Ned Kelly's last days', as Ned was on his way to Melbourne - being whisked away by the authorities to be locked up for weeks, Castles has this quote on P 91 as “look across there to the left, do you see a little Hill over there? The officer nodded, -  that was where I was born 28 years ago".  ( Not sure the primary source used for this )
 
However both Jones and McMenomy have this quotation referring to when Ned was on his way up to Beechworth one month later, and is erroneous as on that occasion Ned said pointing to the little hill   "That's where I was born  - 28 years ago", by Jones referring to Mt Fraser on the left as the little hill.
The important point is this, -  it was when Ned was on his way to Melbourne when he said - look to the left, do you see a little hill over there? that was where I drew my first breath. With this mistake perpetuated in contemporary print, -continues confusion as to where Ned was born. 
It's always much better to have oral history supported by documented history at a point in time. 

4. The Gorman family and the Quinn’s were neighbors on the Merri Creek. The Quinn's lived on a one square mile block known as Arrowsmith. James Quinn had sub leased this 640 acres adjoining Gorman’s land.  N. Arrowsmith had leased it to a chap called Cameron who later subleased it to Quinn. Quinn had a growing family and must have had an adequate dwelling to house his family. To date it is not known exactly where this Arrowsmith/Quinn family home stood, but most likely on the western slope down to the Merri Creek, and probable within eye sight of the Gorman’s establishment to the southeast only one km away. Old Mrs. Mary Gorman lived here with her children and she had been midwife to Ned’s birth. As Mary lived only a short distance from the Kelly couple, it would be unlikely Ellen would have gone to the Gorman establishment for the birth of Edward Kelly. 

5. On the Arrowsmith rented block, John Kelly builds his ‘snug little hut’ recorded to be towards ' a corner of Quinn's land holding'.  This is supported by local knowledge passed down through to Bill Laffan’s pioneering family. The Laffan land now includes the Red Barn Farm which shared access to a laneway so named Red Barn Lane.  A descendant of Red Barn Farm was Mrs. Francis O’Connor now 90 years of age, and she remembers as a child her family talked about the Kellys using Red Barn Lane to get to Beveridge town for groceries. Apparently Red Barn lane was so named because  there was a barn painted bright red situated right on the laneway. Thank you to the Laffan family for this valuable information. ( Now not ignored)

6. Bill Laffan pointed out the ‘little hill’ that can be clearly seen from the Laffan property as near where Ned was born. Both Bill and his old uncle Owen Laffan (95 years old) confirm this information. Owen points towards the Quinn's old home end, but as during our search we could find no building remains near there, we believe in higher ground theory as the best place to build a dwelling. The image below takes in a view from Red Barn Farm on the Laffan property looking East to N.

 7. View below, shows the ‘little hill’ left and a large pair of large Red gum trees that identify the spot where a building once stood. The clump of trees behind the ‘ little hill ’ is where Quinn built his homestead after he purchased the land in 1856. ( and after Ned was born )

At the big tree (centre right) there is solid evidence of a dwelling. This evidence is a C shaped pile of stones ( on their own ) on the high ground. Near the base of the tree is a rough stone pitcher type floor synonymous with a dairy. Gary Dean confirms a possible row of cow stalls marked by post holes. Many buried metal objects litter the site synonymous with heavy metal bolt fastenings used to build a shed shelter or dairy building.

8. While the fireplace stones are not obvious to the untrained eye, it was Gary Dean’s experience that drew attention to the feature. An old rusting drum occupies the C shaped hearth. The drum dumped there many years ago, has little to do with this story and is from modern times.

Below, Seen here in perspective, a hut site in the fore ground, a ‘dairy’ site under the big tree, and in the distance about 290 odd meters away is the ‘little hill’. This exploratory work was carried out at the time of the Australia day visitation 2005.

		The stones have been brought here and some lay flat and buried into the ground. The rocks are mostly different from each other and seem to have been gathered from outcrops nearby but no rocky outcrop occurs at this location. There is also plenty of detectable old rusty metal consisting of either of ‘nail’ or wire type but although recognizable, very corroded. A proper archeological dig will prove the dwelling configuration.

The image above shows A, B, C, D  Between A and D is where the  hearth opening was. There is no indication of a door way step or veranda, but Gary has prepared an approximate floor plan footprint suggesting it was not a small hut but rather a dwelling.

9. Nearby is a water trough of the type used back before the turn of the last century.
It was a hollowed out log with long bolts to hold the ends together. It would be a good 600 mm in diameter at one end and the blacksmith’s square bolt and plate are testimony to craftsmen ship of by gone days. 

		Gary spotted the trough in the distance. It must be very old. An absolute wonder that it had not been destroyed by fire in the past. The blacksmith’s square bolt and washer suggests much earlier than 1880’s. However expert dating may reveal it belonged to the time of first occupation of the land ?

10, At the Laffan - Red Barn Farm site, Maikel points to the distant Red Barn Lane - entry from the Quinn / Arrowsmith block. While perspectives make everything look extremely far away, the whitish line is near the laneway. As these laneways were marked on parish plans long ago, they still exist as potential road reserves. Red Barn Lane separates the northern end of Arrowsmith’s block and the newly acquired blocks of Quinn’s 710 acres. Together with the Arrowsmith rented land, Quinns holdings were 1350 acres of dairy farm. When the Merriang Road                   construction threatened to cut parts of his land in two, he kicked up a huge fuss and got compensated,  but in 1864 sold out and moved to a new venture of 20.000 acres on the banks of the King river above Moyhu Victoria they called Glenmore Station. It is not known when the Arrowsmith lease ended. This map location is 3km North East of Mt Fraser at Beveridge town. Copyright reserved

Native born at the time of Eureka - Edward (Ned) Kelly was one of the first to draw a line in the sand against injustices.

The Australian Natives Association, ANA a co-operative, was formed as a Friendly Society in1871. ANA rose to support Native born Australians who felt de- valued and marginalized by the British autocracy. (in their own land) As a group, ANA was to bring change towards an egalitarian society that honoured Australian-ness. The founding member of ANA was Samuel Winter who also owned the Melbourne Herald around 1871. Like many native born Australians, Ned Kelly would have been a great advocate for ANA.

The family of David Gorman and his brother John Ambrose Gorman were direct neighbours to the Kellys at Wallan East Vic where the Kelly children grew up. John Ambrose had a son Emanuel James who was about the same age as Edward Kelly and went to the same school at Beveridge. Years later E J Gorman moved to Berrigan Southern NSW, and he was foundation member of the Berrigan branch of the Federation League Australasia. He was the convener and chairman for the first Federation meetings at Berrigan and Corowa in 1893.

David Gorman’s mother Mrs. Mary Gorman had been midwife to Ned Kelly’s birth and most likely the other Kelly children as well. The Gormans and the Kellys were linked by their Irish native born spirit.
At the time of the Kelly uprising,  like many of their country folk, they would have been quite appalled by what was happening in their country by way of corruption, injustices and would have supported any moves for a fairer society. Was it therefore 'not surprising' that  ANA and the Federation League gained a lot of support from battlers for a better parliament and a Federation for the Australian colonial states.

Of particular interest, - that ANA and the Federation League (quite separate organisations) were represented throughout all districts of NSW and Victoria and the other states as well. There was a time towards the end of the eighteen eighties that the notion for Federation began to wane, but ANA and its members kept that interest alive (for about six years) leading up to the inaugural meeting at Berrigan in 1893 and Corowa.

Interestingly, both ANA and the Federation League organisations were initially led by fair minded Australian born (Irish) like Gorman and Winter families*, and undoubtedly very aware and perhaps sympathetic to Ned's cause. However, while Ned Kelly would not succeed in his republican stance, he may have unwittingly played a part in the move towards a Federation for Australia. Some will say this is a long bow to draw, but a string of connection does exist.  
*  A 'son' of David Gorman marries a 'daughter' of Joseph Winter. (See diagram below)

Outlawed, the Kelly gang survived for twenty months because they had many friends around Victoria and Southern NSW.  At Jerilderie, only 35 miles from Berrigan, Ned delivered what is now known as his 'Jerilderie letter' of protest but it was not published by the authorities till 50 years later in fear of further unrest like that of Eureka rebellion in 1854. The fifty six page letter with mutterings for a republic for North East Victoria showed an underlying unrest amongst the many country folk.

It was reported by the ANA Berrigan branch in 1880 that more than 100 new branches had been formed during that year. Was it sheer co-incidence this was the year Ned was hanged ?  There was groundswell support for a fairer political society and ANA pushed ahead to bring about change. They wanted a peoples voice in a new Parliament, but it took a further 13 years to get ground swell support  when the first meeting was called at Berrigan 1893 and final Federation in Melbourne 1901.  

ANA played an important role in the push for Federation.  ANA was a non sectarian non political organisation that gave us Australia Day, the Wattle flora emblem on our coat of arms as well as native fauna.
  
Bill Denheld





The portrait drawing below is of Maikel Annalee.
The image suggests how the Australian 'coat of arms' could have better meaning if it honoured our spiritual  traditions.
The Kelly connection to the inaugural meetings for a Federation of Australia is real and not imaginary.
Concept image by Bill Denheld, as an entrant  to the Archibald Prize 2005  Copyright


This Australian 'coat of arm ' here  represented by  'wattle blossom' flora and Fauna on the Eureka Cross. 
Top star- A fair go,  star left - 1854 Eureka  -   We will remember them  -  Australia  star right  Federation 1901  

The wattle branch 'notes' read;  top left -
The Quinn's and the Gormans are next door neighbours at Wallan East. Ellen Quinn &John Kelly marry and live on Quinn's leased land. John & Ellen build a snug little hut on Quinn's land. 3 children born there, Mary, Anne, Edward (Ned) Kelly. 
Lower left branch reads; John Kelly builds houses for Gorman at Avenal. John Kelly dies at Avenal, leaving Ned the eldest male in the family. Ellen Kelly and six children move to Greta. N.E Vic. Ned and family struggle to survive.
Central left branch;  David Gorman's brother John had 8 sons.  Mrs. Mary Gorman is midwife to Kelly children born at Wallan East. Gorman's son moves to Avenal and employs John Kelly. The eigth son E.J. Gorman moves to the Berrigan NSW,  is foundation member of  the 'Federation League - Berrigan.
Right hand branches; Australian Natives Association Co-Op formed 1871.
Samuel Winter is foundation member of  A.N.A. Melbourne 1871
Ned Kelly tries to publish his petition for protest at Jerilderie  N.S.W.  In 1880, the year Ned was hanged  A.N.A. Berrigan reports more than 100 new branches opened. Berrigan branches of ANA and Federation League initiate in augural meeting for Federation at  Berrigan and the next at Corowa  in 1893.

edited  28 July 2007, regarding Gorman family information. Copyright reserved 

The following articles report on the research of Dr Maikel Annalee.  

Today few realize the original penal colony grew with the gold rushes, into a 'Mecca' for individual settlers from many Nations. The Irish, whether transported or emigrant; whether indentured or free, were considered by some as Australia's first underclass 'ethnic' group. The promise of a fresh start for all, became, as the aboriginals soon realized, a promise of some being more equal than others.

Here were the seeds of a social justice struggle that is still alive today. From the goldfields of Ballarat, Victoria in 1854, the willing sacrifice of Eureka has been the wellspring for our growth to nationhood despising the 'bunyip' aristocracy of a privileged few, Edward Kelly was one of the first to draw a line in the sand for the native-born. His unjust execution in 1880, was matched by the call of the Australian Natives Association, for the separate colonies to create one nation. Then, looking  back to the date of the first settlement, they initiated Australian Natives Day, our current Australia day.

In this globalized 21st century, our nation needs to remember and respect, our roots in this land to reclaim a sense of natural justice that transcends political agendas. To recognize where we've come from, so we can encounter our future with a spirit 'fearless, free and bold'. In 2005, the 150th anniversary of Ned's birth, it's surely time for we, as people from many nations, to accept and honour his wish for the land of his birth and execution.

So we can come to understand ourselves as a nation, founded on the sacrifice of individuals with a fearless 'con-science', a free mind and a bold heart. It is also affirmation of faith and a belief in a universal identity, which humanity has yet to successfully define. Native-born Ned saw this and gave voice to his concerns in his writings. Listen carefully to his prophetic voice. It makes for some startling revelations!

Maikel Annalee 17 March 2005
______________________________________________________________________________ 

Australian Native Sons Association

A.N.S.A logo inspired by the cross of Eureka. Australian Native Sons Association advocate Maikel Annalee launches a petition to have the true flag of Eureka, recognized by both houses of Parliament in Canberra. The petition was launched at Glenrowan on the 125th year Kelly Siege commemoration weekend (2July05) by true blue Eurek ians - Gary Dean and  Val D'Angri. Their mutual paternal Grandmother was Anastasia Withers who was one of the ladies at Eureka to originally sew up the flag. Val is curator of the original flag. The petition will be circulated widely. It is hoped the 
                                                    flag will one day fly at Parliament House Canberra.

The motto for A.N.S.A  came from Maikel,
who believes Ned said these words when he was on the gallows - 11 Nov 1880
So it’s come to this: YOU CAN'T KEEP THE PEACE BY INJUSTICE;  YOU CAN ONLY KEEP JUSTICE IN PEACE.
Such is life!

At the launch of the petition seen here are , centre Val D'Angri in her 1850's historic costume, front left, Dr Maikel Annalee, Gary Dean, Eureka Smith ( song writer balladeer) all backed by the Kelly sympathisers on stage in front of the only original replica Eureka Flag Val has made.  The launch was held at the Buffalo  Mountain Wines- Glenrowan. The old original R.S.L. Memorial Hall which has been beautifully restored proprietor Neil Marsh. Following this historic event, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria , Prof John Harbor Phillips gave a splendid account of the Kelly saga leading  to Ned Kellys hanging. This was then followed by Chewing the Fat, a discussion with historian Ian Jones. It was a great event. Another proud lady present was Dotty, she is great great grand daughter of Ann Kelly. ( with the red hat)

The sympathisers reunion was attended by more than 90 all crammed into the smallish area of the local pub where Gary gave a convincing talk about all those claims and identifications made regarding Dan Kelly and Steve Harts escape from the day of the siege up until present day. But like Gary said, even with the very compelling evidence of these men surviving, it is going to take scientific evidence to prove one way or the other. The case of Charles Devine Tindall is inconclusive, while those of Jack Day, Fred Layton and James Ryan, are  yet to be determined. The recent submission to exhume the remains in the Greta Cemetery is absolutely uncalled for and ridiculous as the two bodies were never buried in the cemetery in the first place. It is more important to ascertain who those people were who were making the claims and disprove or prove them.  Gary has written to the Victorian Coroner to denounce the Paul Tully exhumation request on the two bodies found in the Inn, which were believed to be those of Dan & Steve.

Other new work that drew interest at the 125th Reunion was a slide show  ' Where Ned was born' . Maikel ran through the picture slides, however time and noise in the busy pub by that time forbid his talk achieving point by point clarity, It is posted on this page for the first time .

Over the past 6 months or so, Maikel has been making some startling revelations regarding our historic roots.   His aim is merely to correct some fundamental misunderstanding of our National being, and a matter of correcting history. The fact that the original Eureka flag could not be flown in Canberra because it is not officially recognized indicates what is wrong with this country, he said.   And addressing the sympathisers reunion, for that reason Eureka and Kelly are still misappropriated and deserve to be hoisted to a higher plane.  With thousands of published articles on these subjects, it is most important to correct  historic in-accuracies.
 
I think a most poignant example to date is the connection of Ned  to the Federation of Australia.  It is surprising no one has seen this connection before? The obvious answer, nobody looked and some don't want to see. Its often like this, or like that, and but rarely really right.  Reading the latest Kelly book release by late Alex Castles - Ned Kelly's Last Days you will come to the conclusion that the way Ned and his boys were handled by the authorities and the Government of the day is,- was a National disgrace.  Not only was the whole man hunt for the Kelly gang illegal, the truth was covered up for political advantage as elections were underway,  it was all about politics and money.   Bill Denheld

Australia day 26 January 2005

This year marks the sesquicentenary of Ned Kelly's birth at Wallan East on the banks of Merri Creek. On Australia Day, this year a Commemorative Event took place to mark his birth, as the 'first-born' of Eureka's 'spiritual seed'. A linking-up of native-born Ned's nativity, with the Australia Day celebrations, initiated by the Australian Natives Association, will be symbolically recreated, by the raising and flying of a hand-made replica of the original Eureka flag near his birthplace. This was the first time such a replica has been flown outside Ballarat and it is the only authentic design, which has never been produced commercially. Even for Eureka 150th celebrations - they got it wrong! It is the model for the 'ennobled' version, now being flown atop Mt. Fraser, in honour of Ned's 150th. Val D'Angri is the curator of the original in the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery since 1973. She sewed the replica now there and later on tour. She was the custodian of the replica on the Day and presented a slide show, which provided exclusive information about the 'Cross of Australia' on the Eureka flag. Gary Dean, the author and researcher of the Kelly family history,  graciously lead us over the six historical sites in the township and vicinity where Ned was born.

Picture taken at Wallnarring station  Australia day 26 Jan 2005

With just on 30 attendees, the Eureka Flag presentation and Kelly sites tour, one of which was the place near where Ned was born, excited much interest.  Mr. Owen Laffan,  94 years old  (with the hat at centre talking with Maikel) remembers the area where of the original house of Ned's birth was located.  In the background is Mount Fraser on which Val D'Angri's beautiful replica flag was to be flown later in the day.  Included in the party were direct descendants of the families associated with the Kelly gang. Also members of the Kilmore historical society, Kelly historians and researchers.  Val's Eureka flag history was the unique highlight of Native Ned's Australia day remembrance. Gary Dean led the visits to this and the other Kelly sites. Later, after Val's illustrated talk, we visited the other Kelly sites at Beveridge near Mt Fraser.

Dctr Annalee's opening remarks centered around the connection of Eureka and the Kelly story.
In talking about what we had all seen at the Quinn homestead site, he commented

"Just as Wallan East may not be exactly where Ned was born, just as it was not where Eureka happened. But Ned was the first-born of Eureka's 'spiritual seed' in this area. We need to acknowledge that, otherwise we've got a national Icon who is basically just an outlaw, because, like those with other agendas who misappropriated the flag, others have also misappropriated the real Kelly story.

I've lived with the stories as passed down through my father and I've long felt there was something worthwhile about them. The flag will fly on Mount Fraser on certain times of the year because we do believe there is a connection between Eureka and Kelly. We also believe it is all part of the Australian Federation story, we believe it is all part of our culture and we do want to keep that part of the connection going, but we don't want to trivialize it. I don't want to live in a country that has a national icon who is just characterized as an outlaw when he was far more than that.

Hopefully  this year's the sesqui - centenary (150 th) we will be able to do, just as Val has shown, reclaim the truth of Eureka's flag and reclaim the truth of Native Ned Unmasked and so put it together in a way that adds to our pride in our country, in our culture and also tell the truth. I can't think of anything better to honour the pioneers than to finally get it right, because basically many of the original stories have been marginalized by some. These stories that are now being told, whether it's about Eureka or Kelly do them an injustice and I think it's time for all good people to come to the aid of the original story. That's why you have been invited to come here today".
Maikel Annalee.


Left, Val D'Angri's moment of triumph as her beautiful and most authentic  Eureka flag takes to the wind.
This is the best replica Eureka flag ever made. The exacting specifications took more than 3 months sewing to complete. The wool and cotton flag was almost silent in the fierce 30 knot northerly winds on Australia day. All hats off to both Val D'Angri and Maikel Annalee's vision for this unique event.


Further, Please note, it was Val's great grandmother Anastasia Withers who with Anastasia Hayes sewed up the original flag from blue dress making* materials. For the first time ever, just recently Dctr Annalee had a fragment of the material tested by CSIRO to *confirm this.


_______________________________________________
5 Jan 2005
The inaugural flying of the 'Cross of Australia'  
at Beveridge Victoria  

The Cross of Australia for all.
Contrary to common belief, January 2nd 2005 was narrowed down as Ned Kelly's 150th birthday. 

Dctr. Maikel Annalee, a passionate Australian, believes the spirit of Eureka
and a fair go for all, are the values that define our nation's heritage. In a simple flag raising, atop Mt Fraser at Beveridge, 39 km. north of Melbourne, these values were symbolically renewed, by the flying of an 'ennobled' original conception of the Eureka flag, to be known as the 'Cross of Australia'. With the support of a representative group, who came along to help, the Cross of Australia now flies at the landmark hill, which overlooks the locale, where Ned, the Icon of our Australian nation, was born and grew up.

 

Dctr Maikel Annalee explains the need to review the spiritual heritage of the Eureka flag.

The following is an explanatory transcript of Maikel's speech. 

Why Beveridge? Mount Fraser's volcanic cone has been a landmark since the 'dreamtime'. From it, on 14 December 1824, Hume and Hovell first saw Port Phillip. It overlooks a landscape, that is mostly the same as, when Ned Kelly was born and explored it, in his first nine years. His grandparents' house, the last house built by his father, where Ned lived with his family; the church, also school building he attended, all still stand.
 
Why this flag. This flag some may call the 'Cross of Eureka', but we should all call it the 'Cross of Australia', which on the day of battle, was taken into private ownership and disappeared from sight. But the spirit of Eureka lived on in children's hearts and minds, excited by the stories told about Eureka. A prime example, of those children to grow up with that spirit, was Ned Kelly. He was certainly one of the first, being born within a month of Eureka.

 Why the 'Cross of Australia'? As a nation, we have often overlooked the spiritual values of our heritage. The really significant points in our history, that mark what we as Australians stand for and by which our nation came to be. The 'Cross of Australia' marks Eureka, as our transition to a 'native-born' spirituality, by our creation of a uniquely spirited 'magna carta' proclamation, for natural justice. For the right as Ned wrote, to live: " fearless, free and bold."

Why choose this flag image? Firstly, to mark the significance of Eureka, as our nation's transition to a 'native-born' spirituality. *Secondly, to recognize and honour Ned as the 'first-born' of Eureka's 'spiritual seed'.*Thirdly, to make the spiritual connection of these, with events before and after, which have been linked to them only historically. Vinegar Hill 1798, in Co. Wexford, Ireland, nominally became Vinegar Hill 1804, in the colony of N.S.W. But, they both  made Eureka and Ned Kelly, the spiritual foundation of our nation. Therefore, we need to see Ned, not as an 'Iron Outlaw' or even an 'Iron Icon'; but 'unmasked'. Ned's spirit, was more than what he was inside his armour, or indeed his armour.

Then the spirit of Eureka and the spirit of Ned connect to form a 'unity of integrity' as the spirit of our nation.
The spirit of our uniquely 'non-conformist' Commonwealth of Australia, is truly one of "consensus of conscience" ['con-science']. The only true basis of a man's life, as the oath taken at Eureka clearly shows and the 'Cross of Australia' so nobly confirms.

Dctr. Maikel Annalee can be contacted nativened@gmail.com   
c/- Australian Native Sons Association, p o box 69 Glenrowan Victoria 3675 ;   2 Jan, 2004