november 25 - december 1 | 2015
regional extra >>> 25,000 readers every week
north east
north east jobs www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
inside page 7
circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
Telling Ned’s story JOANNE Griffiths recalls a time years ago when she raised a question about Ned Kelly with her father Paul and grandfather Walter. For the three generations present the Victorian-born colonial era horseman who became a bushranger and in 1878 was outlawed was great-grand uncle, great uncle and uncle. “It was something that for the family was quite raw – and still seems so in many ways,” Joanne says. “When it came up you could see the pain in their eyes. “It was something that just wasn’t discussed.” But for Paul Griffiths – the grandson of Ned’s sister, Grace – things have changed as the distance has lengthened since Ned’s conviction and execution in 1880 for murdering policeman Thomas Lonigan. “If they brought it up it was different,” Joanne says. “As time moved on Dad became more open. “He’s always had a real love of history of the area and a love of the North East – ‘the most beautiful place in the world’,” she says. “I remember him in early 1990s, when I was studying at the National School of Art in Sydney, and bringing up the idea of the family telling Ned’s story, but he said – ‘What do you do?’. “The whole thing was in the public arena.” Generations had suffered, says Joanne.
WITH
RESPECT: Joanne Griffiths prepares to place
flowers at Old Melbourne Gaol’s gallows on November 11 on the 135th anniversary of Ned Kelly’s execution. PHOTO: Ned Kelly Centre
DEBBI
ZERO interest for 3 months PLUS up to $1000 off your establishment costs.
By JAMIE KRONBORG There was what seemed for so long for the Kelly family an unhealing wound, even into the third generation. “There were lots of supportive people but there were others who moved in from outside who had particular views about the story,” Joanne says. Then, what for years had been a private, quiet family was forced into the often disturbing glare of publicity when the Victorian institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed in 2011 that remains exhumed from Pentridge Prison in Melbourne in 2008 included those of Ned Kelly. “We didn't know about the DNA testing (to be performed) and suddenly there are the remains on TV,” Joanne says. “My father was so upset. It just became a free-for-all. It was such a terrible situation. “We had to fight to get (Ned) home (to Greta) and give him the Christian burial that he wanted and that our family wanted to give him.” It took two years. “It took a real toll on my father and it completely changed our family," Joanne says. In the wake of the reinterment Paul Griffiths faced major health challenges and now needs full-time care. “It’s time for some healing,” Joanne says. continued page |
3
FILM
WINE TALK
MALALA
ANITA
WITH
HE NAMED ME
A home loan to celebrate.
Spend less on your home loan. wawcu.com.au 1300 368 555 HOME LOANS
LOANS
SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS
TRANSACTIONAL CARDS k/06d07810-v21/35-15
AFSL 247298
INSURANCE
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply. Interest will not be charged the first 3 months of the home loan. In that period the full loan repayment required under the contract will be applied against the loan principal only. At the end of the 3 month introductory offer period the loan reverts to the prevailing standard variable interest rate. The loan establishment cost waiver includes loan application fee, property valuation fee and title search costs. Loan offer and fee waiver only available to new or refinanced home loans over $50,000 for owner occupied or residential investment properties. This offer is available until 30/11/15 however WAW reserves the right to withdraw or vary this offer without notification. WAW Australian Credit Licence 247298.