Bill Denheld
The Ned Kelly narrative lacks historical accuracy from the outset. Political figures aim to erase the underlying causes of the 1880s Kelly outbreak, leading to a skewed version of history. Ned Kelly’s personal connections with influential figures of the time are disregarded and omitted from historical records for political expediency. As they say, it’s easier to gloss over inconvenient truths and preferable to align with the victor’s narrative of history. Interest in Ned Kelly surged after his hanging, particularly among marginalised generations over the subsequent 140 years with the rise of the internet, allowing easy access to newspaper reports and police files fostering a new generation of amateur historians. But as they say history is written by the winners. The proliferation of information creates a historic dilemma as self-proclaimed experts retell Kelly’s history through TV documentaries prioritising their goals over accuracy. On social media, opinions reign supreme with little fact-checking. Authorities overseeing historic sites often succumb to the loudest voices, becoming entangled in confusion. They disregard compelling primary evidence and perpetuate false narratives based on personal beliefs, ignoring the distinction between belief and fact. Self-serving interests overshadow interpretations of why and where significant events occurred at Stringybark Creek, allowing authorities to dismiss scientific on-ground observations.Despite receiving public funding, they lead thousands of visitors to Stringybark Creek, only to direct them to a location where no historical events actually happened. This contradicts their responsibility to uphold the truth under the law. This book, born from over 40 years of fascination, delves into Ned’s story and my own, rooted in what is believed to be close to absolute truth.
