Interesting stuff Bob - I have a bit of a soft spot for Ned - having first stayed with family virtually every holiday period (for the whole holiday period more often than not) and then lived in Kelly Country myself from birth until about 12 years ago.

I have even visited the original homestead - though there are only couple of chimney-stacks left. I found out where it was by one of the Greta West locals as I taught in the region and got friendly with a few (Quinns and - - - bugger, I can't remember the other bloke whose surname was different).

According to local lore (Glenrowan District - Quinns etc) and later corroborated by the Bushranger text I own plus another I loaned and never got back (gotta stop doing that!) it was, in fact, the "Bold Jack Donahoe" version which was sung at Jones's Inn - so I tend to believe that part.

As for the executions for singing 'The Wearing of the Green' that source was from an archaeology group I am part of as well as the book my mate loaned me (must get in contact and borrow it again).

However the execution of convicts - more specifically Irish Convicts for singing the Wearing of the Green or Bold Jack is somewhat anecdotal. I've heard it from any number of sources but not in print and took it as "probable" fact due to the Ireland/Irish persecution factor - so you are probably right.

Quick question for you (and how many times have you fobbed this one off - the folk around Greta say it's "true" but generally with a twinkle in the eye and and sideways look!)

The rumour goes that only Steve Hart died in the fire and the other body was another local and that it was Dan that was captured and hanged in Melbourne while Ned actually escaped and went to New South Wales and "settled down" apparently with his half-brother Joseph. The rationale behind the rumour is that, on the scaffold, Ellen was supposed to have told the condemned "Mind ye die like a Kelly, son" and that she said it to Dan to bolster his courage - - - something she wouldn't have had to do if it was truly Ned!

One of our locals married a Kelly as well. His name was Griffith and he farmed just outside of town at a place called Mt.Bruno. He married (I think it was Grace - the younger sister). Legend has it that she used to drive her horse-and-trap to Wangaratta regularly but disdained going back around to the main roads and made her own track across the Warby Ranges - her track shortened the trip by about 4 or 5 miles. The track actually still exists and is still called - officially - Griffiths Track: and if you happen to be in the Mt.Bruna area, it STILL cuts about 4 or 5 mile off the trip!

Muttley