Great Site!
Melissa Koops [melissa_koops_rocks@hotmail.com] 13.07.2003
Mikey I think your sites GREAT.... It's very interesting and so spectacular that when I start to read I just can't stop... Thank you for opening my eyes to a world of Joe that I never knew existed. - Thanks so much my princess!

joe or not?
calvin foster [email not given] 07.07.2003
Hi mike.I was looking through the feedback vault on the ironoutlaw website and saw a picturev of 5 men standing outside a mine,Joe Byrne and possibly Tom Lloyd are said to be included in the photo.I think that if any of the men are Joe the  shortest man second from the left would have to be him as it looks like the picture of Joe when he was alive.I would like to know your thoughts on the picture.Cheers Mike. - I would seriously doubt it mate, I have seen the picture you are talking about, and I am very skeptical. But it just might be, we never know, Cheers mate, thanks for breaking the month long chain of no feedback!...

Joe Byrne
calvin foster [email not given] 04.06.2003
Hi Mike.On sunday 25th of may me and my dad went to the v8 supercars in winton.I asked dad if we could visit joe's grave in the benalla cemetery seeing we were going through the town.We left my home town of Griffith(marijuana country) at 5am so  we could spend a little bit of time looking for the cemetery.We reached benalla at about 8am and looked on the map of the town for the cemetery.We were suprised that they didn't have the cemetery on the map.So me and dad drove around benalla for about 25 minutes looking for the cemetery.In a way it was good because we came across the old court house on the way.We decided to look for it after the v8 supercars.After the races we went back into benalla to look for it again.We went into the benalla museum to have a quick look and to ask for directions to the cemetery.The lovely old ladies in the museum told us where the location of the cemetery and told us that their were so old blood stained undies of neds,i thought what the hell?I Have never heard about blood stained undies that belonged to ned.I went in to see these so called"UNDIES" and found out it was his green silk sash.I could not belive it!There it was, something i've always wanted to see.I then turned around to see the door joe body was strung against!WOW!i could not belive it.There were 2 of the things in the kelly story i have always wanted to see.We then went to the cemetery to see joe's grave.I was happy to see that there was a lot of flowers placed on his grave and against the tree which stands near his grave.Love your site.see ya mike. - Thanks mate, some of the flowers were placed by me, and the others by lisa, a dear friend of mine. I think the ladies at Benalla were pulling your leg!...

ned kelly country
denise burton [email not given] 20.05.2003
Hi my name is denise burton before I was married my madien name was kelly we are coming to victoria in july and we we will be coming to glenrowin country and i would like any information you could give me times any tours are on or any thing that might be of some interest we are coming from perth - Thank you, Tours run daily around the Kelly Siege site, can I suggest to log onto the tours own website at kellysiegesitetours.tr.cx...

better joe?
calvin foster [email not given] 20.05.2003
 Hi mike.I saw the new ned kelly movie last saturday and really enjoyed it,i know the facts were crap but it was  a great movie.I thought orlando bloom played Joe great and looked a lot like joe.I was comparing orlando bloom to steve bisley as to who acted joe better.I am undecided but am interested to know who you thought played a more accurate joe.By the way I saw your story on 'MY TOWN' in the womans day magazine.Bye - Thanks Calvin, I believe Steve Bisley played a much, much, much better Joe. He had the characteristics Joe had, I really enjoyed watching Steve Bisley playing Joe...

ned kelly and associates
phillip cole [pcolenew@optushome.com.au] 20.05.2003
hi a simply amazing web page my connection to the kelly family was my great great grandfather bought stolen horses from the baumgartens who were involved with the kelly gang also a story told to me by my grandmother was that the kelly boys used to take the wheels off the cart so they could flirt with the girls on sunday  his name was john studders im always talking to gary dean who is down that way to ok bye and keep up the great work i love ned kelly bye from phillip cole - Thank you very much, your Kelly connection is very fascinating!...

Kelly gang Train Robbery
Gloria [gloriafay@optusnet.com.au]
My husbands ancestors were born in Beechworth and he was told that a g.g.great uncle of his was the informant who helped stopped the train that Ned Kelly was going to rob. Can you tell me the name of this person? - The Kelly gang never robbed a train, although I think you maybe thinking of Thomas Curnow, the local Glenrowan School teacher, whom stopped the police train on it's way to Glenrowan. Hope this can help you...

Kelly Website
John Salmon [john_julie88@hotmail.com] 29.04.2003
Hi Mike, what a great website,and can I say that from what I have read on your site, it is so good to see someone who goes to the trouble to see that the information is accurate and factual. I will be a regular visitor to your site from now on, as a keen Kelly (Kiwi) convert.Keep up your good work Mike, John Salmon - Thank you John, for everything, and hope you enjoyed the trip around the Kelly Country! Keep in touch!...

Great meeting you
Brian McDonald [brianmac@isp.net.au]  29.04.2003
Hi Mike, Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed catching up with you at Glenrowan last week. Your enthusiasm was infectious and your knowledge was amazing. I'm sure that everyone who accompanies you on a tour around Glenrowan will not only enjoy themselves, but will learn so much about the Kelly story. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Regards Brian. - Thank you so very much , Brian, it was great meeting you, and the milkshake!...

kellys
paul [eells@hotmail.com] 29.04.2003
Great work, I have got the book (THE INNER HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG)Its in very good condition u said its rare why? please e-mail why?

The Kelly websites
Timothy O'Neill [email not given] 27.04.2003
Dear Mike, I found your website very informative, entertaining and best of all free! many other websites (which I will not mention) Have huge banners at the begging of every page adevertising for sale items of Ned Kelly! Talk about trying to cash in on the Kelly Legend! Sheesh! thats why I love yuor site so much because we dont have these huge 'ads' at the top of each page. Great site mike, and Keeep it free! Cheers, Tim.

Re: Joe a cold-blooded murder
Skye [email not given] 14.04.2003
I think Rebecca has raised an interesting point about Joe Byrne being descibed as a cold-blooded murder in Balcarek's book. You also need to think about this. If Joe had left Aaron then it may have prolonged the whole gangs life.If there was no Glenworan then the Kelly Gang may have lived longer and we may have been able to gain more information, especially in the parts that are completely blank. maybe the famous letter may have been published, maybe the republican movement may have gained more momentum - Yes, but we must remember that the gang had disappeared for 18 months between Jerilderie in February 1879, to the republic in 1880. It is one hell of a long time to be on the run without holding up a bank, as money would be as scarce as hens teeth from the Jerilderie hold-up. Also, Joe and Ned's letter would probably not have been published, as Living, the bank manager Ned gave the letter to, handed a copy to the police immediately, it wasn't published until 1930 in the Herald Sun newspaper. A good debate however, keep it coming...

Joe Byrne
Calvin Foster [cal_90@msn.com] 14.04.2003
Hi Mike i have finished reading 'the fatal freindship'and what a great book it is.I keep turning to your great website for information on joe.I can't wait for the new Ned Kelly movie to come out but some how I don't think it will be quite as accurate on facts as ian jones'S 'THE LAST OUTLAW'.Any way love your website and keep cool.See ya - Thanks mate, friendship is awesome. And yes, nothing beats Ian's gospel, The Last Outlaw, Cheers!...

Dan Kelly escaped!!!
Erica [email not given] 14.04.2003
What do you think of the story on Channel Sevens 'Sunrise' about Dan Kelly escaping the seize at Glenrowan and living until the 1940s, often working in NSW under various alias's? - That didn't happen at all!

Joe and Aaron
Anthony Smit [aezlove@aol.com] 10.04.2003
Mike, I have a theory that there may have been a woman coming between Joe and Aaron, culminating in Aaron's death. I have always thought that there had to be more to the situation than only his supposed "betrayal" of his friend. I suspect that we havent heard the whole story yet. I ask you, what is the one thing that might come between two friends enough to make them want to kill each other? A woman. What do you think? Something to think about. And which woman? Kate kelly perhaps? hmmmmm Best Wishes Anthony Smit - As amazing as it sounds, and don't get me wrong, I think it's a good theory, but I highly doubt that a woman would have become between Joe and Aaron. Joe killed Aaron, because he eventually believed that Aaron had betrayed him to the police, and, also for Ned and the gang. We must remember that this murder was to lure a train load of police to the Woolshed (where Aaron was killed) and on it's way would have top pass through the tiny hamlet, named Glenrowan, where the Kellys were waiting. At Glenrowan Joe was described by a captive in the Glenrowan Inn, that he was "reckless of his life" As interesting and possible as it seems, I would highly doubt a woman came between Aaron and Joe. Thanks all the same.

Joe a cold-blooded murder
rebecca [r.stuart@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au] 09.04.2003
I recently read Dagmar Balcarek's book "Kelly and others" and in it she states that Ned Kelly shot the police at Stringey Bark Creek out of seld-defence because they had been, as history shows, deployed to shoot the Kelly Gang. They even made special equipment to carry their corpses. However, the murder of Aaron Sherritt by Joe Byrne was not an act of self-defence, as Aaron did not try to shoot Joe. With this arguement she states that Joe Byrne was the only member of the Kelly Gang who was a cold-blooded muderer. I was wondering what people thought of this arguement. - I believe their were certain circumstances which led to the shooting of Aaron Sherritt, and if you really think, with out the murder of Aaron Sherritt there would have been no Glenrowan. Also, the book you have read "Ned and the others" is not the best to get an insight on Joe, may I suggest the bible of Byrne history "The Fatal Friendship" written by the foremost Kelly Authority, Ian Jones. See our book section for more.

Joe
beck [r.stuart@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au] 03.04.2003
this site is fanatastic...a great job..a must for all Joe Byrne and kelly gang fans

Joe Pics
Anthony Smit  [aezlove@aol.com] 03.04.2003
This is a great site. Keep up the good work Mike. Do you think it is possible that there is a gaol pic of Joe in the archives at Beechworth Gaol somewhere? One wonders why no one has thought to search for it. What do you think? Best Wishes from a fellow Kelly gang and Joe devotee. - Thank-you very much, but no unfortunately there is no mug shots of either Joe or Aaron during their stint in the Beechworth Gaol.

I'm related to joe !
frankie-Louise lohmann [email not given] 28.03.2003
Well, I have a great aunt who was born in 1918 now 84 yrs old to sarah jane Betts and William Byrne i think the brother of patrick,,(almost certain). I have found a grave site here in MIldura on the murray of a catherine byrne",14 1/2 yrs old,,,,died 1922?? and a little boy named patrick byrne 2 mths old ??? unsure still but my great aunt betty as i know her now has told me we are distantly related to joe and if anyone can shed some light to this or wants more information on cemetary records let me know as i will be obtaining more information asap regards frankie lohmann (kennedy) funny  that as well,,kennedy being a cop,,,that's another story..it's so exciting there's a site here now,,unreal !!!!!!! - I would love to hear more.

Joe Byrne
christie Smale [christiesmale@msn.com] 28.03.2003
Thankyou for such an informative site. I have recently found out that Joe Byrne was my grandfathers distant cousin , his surname being Byrnes (half of the Byrne clan changed their surname adding an 's').Thanks to your site i have learnt alot about a family history that i never knew (until recently) existed .Thanks and keep up the good work !


Movie Premiere
Mark Perry [tbird4@iprimus.com.au] 25.03.2003
I had the great fortune to be present @ the World Premiere of the new Ned Kelly movie on Saturday night (22/3)@ the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. Wow! I never really got to talk to any of the stars except Ian Jones,(Kelly student supreme)although I managed to scream a quick "Hello" to "Harold" from "Erinsborough" (much to the embarrassment of the people I was with-sorry Matt and Erin!!).The most important thing for me though was the movie itself. Does it deliver? In many ways, yes. I fear I may have judged it too harshly when the lights came up but on reflection there was more good than bad. Heath Ledger made an incredible impression as Ned although I'm afraid I can't say the same for Orlando Bloom as Joe Byrne and Joel Edgerton as Aaron Sherritt. I felt they didn't quite capture them. Visually the movie is superb with some amazingly accurate set pieces such as the Shelton rescue, the Euroa robbery and the Wild Wright brawl. Unfortunately, these were interspersed with some fanciful fiction, the most blatant probably being Joe Byrne dressed in drag when he shoots Sherritt. I was expecting the circus @ The Last Stand because I'd read the book ("Our Sunshine") but it was still jarring. On to positives again, I loved the music, especially over the opening credits and the portrayal of Supt. Hare by Geoffrey Rush was excellent. Perhaps I'm just too close to the Kelly story to judge fairly but I do know it was a wonderful night which I will never forget. It will be interesting to see the deleted scenes on the DVD when it is released later in the year. The year of Ned continues..... -MARK PERRY-ADELAIDE - wow...

Hi
Kathy [email not given] 09.03.2003
Congratulations ! on a great and informative site you have here! I ,too, am a "Kelly Sympathiser" and have been for the last 32 yrs after being introduced to the Kelly Legend as a 6 yr old! I have been on many family hoildays on a property east of Wang in the heart of Kelly Country,(and remember seeing a "Kelly" suit of armour hanging in the doorway of a "museum" in Benella in the 70's),I have taken teenage friends there and shared my knowledge of the area and Kellys with them, and now I am introducing my own kids to the world of our great heros! Ned is my main focus, but I have always had a soft spot for Joe for all the same reasons I have read on your site! I ,too, get a shivver down my spine whenever I go to a place I know Ned would have been!! I just hope that all the media attention on the movie about to be released (which I can't wait to see!) doesn't affect our beautiful Kelly Country! I bought the Ashley Davies CD from the Old Melbourne Gaol and saw the Jones-Davies show at the 2002 Queenscliff Music Festival by chance last year! I took a friend (who had recently moved to Benella) with me and we were both left with tears in our eyes as it really brings the legend to life. She has also taken a shine to Joe and vowed to look up Joes grave site when she got home! She is looking forward to finding out more about him and the boys! I will certainly tell her about your site! I am also keen to find out more about the Centenery Dinner, that may happen yearly, and will look out for more info on your site so please keep us posted! Once again, Congratulations ! Keep up the good work!! Kind regards Kathy. Viewbank, Vic.

Shootout at Stringybark Creek
Roxy [birox@alphalink.com.au] 03.03.2003
I think it's a really great website, and it's good to see that someone younger than most of the Kelly fans have taken up the initiative to make a Joe Byrne site. I agree with others who say that Joe Byrne was the overlooked memeber of the Kelly Gang and if Ned had have listened to him more, things may have turned out differently for them. I would also like to ask the Webmaster, Mike, for more information on the real site of the shootout at Stringybark Creek. I can be contacted via e-mail at birox@alphalink.com.au, I would really appreciate your help with this as I have been on four unsuccessful trips to identify the real shooting site at Stringybark Creek.

Anton Wick
Ann Fuller [ann.fuller@aventis.com] 01.03.2003
Hi Mike, I'm so excited I can hardly type. Just found your website by typing "Anton+Wick" into Google - just found Google too. I was absolutely astounded to read "How does being related to Anton Wick affect your family ...". Gob smacked I was, as I am related to Anton Wick also. My grandfather was Herbert Reginald Wicks, who was the son of William Frederick Wicks, married to Anne Murray. My grandfather was born at "Sebastopol" on the 25th July 1897 and was one of 12 children. I guess I am also related to Allison O'Sullivan. Can I ask how long ago your interview was conducted? Is there some way that I may get in touch with this lady, this great-aunt(?) of mine? Your advice would be most appreciated. Kind regards, Ann Fuller, Dee Why, NSW.

joe byrne
calvin foster [cal_90.com@msn] 01.03.2003
I am 13 years of age and have been interested in The Kelly gang since i was 6.I have many books on the kelly gang including The inner history of the kelly gang byJ.J Kenneally,Ned Kelly a short life(what i call the ned kelly bible)by ian jones and The fatal friendship which i have just brought and am currently reading also by ian jones.I have learn't 95% of my facts from his books so i would like to thank ian for that,i would also congratulate you on a great web site.thank you and bye - Thanks a lot! Fatal Friendship's the best!

Good Webpage!
Jason Kerrigan [j.kerrigan@hotmail.com] 4.02.2003
What a beuty this webpage is, Thanks for making it!

orlando bloom
christine [DaleJr8320@hotmail.com] 4.02.2003
I love this website it tells everything about anything and it tells the character of the true, amazing,hott,very intelligent, good actor Orlando Bloom A.K.A orli! Tell orlando Bloom i love him! - Ok then, but I don't know how I will see him!

Thanks
Lisa [email not given] 14.01.2003
Dear Mike,Just a note to say thankyou for your lovely response to my letter.It is wonderful to know you go to Joe's.Thanks again for this terrific website.Yours Sincerely,Lisa - Thanks again Lisa, If you want, you could give me your email address; I would love to chat about "the boys" just give me a call on 0401 274 730.

Ned and Joe 2003
Mark Perry [tbird4@iprimus.com.au] 12.01.2003
Hi Mike. The site is looking great! You are to be commended. Glad you are the first to showcase the revamped cover of Ian Jones "Friendship" as well. In my opinion, the original, published in 1992, is one of the best books on the Kelly saga out there! Looking forward to seeing new version of Ians "A Short Life" in March as well. It appears this year of NED has got off to a flying start. Hope I can make it over to see the "Iron Helmets and Smoking Guns" film festival. If not, I will certainly be there for opening of new exhibition! I have also recently read a review of the rough cut of Heath Ledger film which doesn't inspire confidence...Fingers crossed...Looks like the Kelly Legend is alive and well!!! Keep up the GROUSE (to use a Victorian word..) work...Regards  MARK PERRY-ADELAIDE

Joe Byrne
Lisa [email not given] 11.01.2003
Dear Mike,  Hi,my name is Lisa and I am a fellow obsessed Kelly gang person,I have been ever since I was 14.I have also always thought the world of Joe and just wanted to write and say how fantastic your site is! I wrote to you a while ago via your other Kelly Gang site and it was great to see the letter here at Joe online.Thanks.I also just wanted to say that it was lovely to see the photo of Joe's grave on here,also because I could see my flowers in the photo.They are the purple statis in the painted jar,and the artificial flowers at the back of Joe's gravestone,the yellow and blue,and the blue flowers which are the newest.When we first visited Kelly Country,which was over 10 years ago,we would put flowers there for Joe at the tree.A few years ago we found out that they were going to put a gravestone there for Joe.We went to the rededication which was in 1996,on the anniversary of Joe's burial 29th June.We live in Sydney and it rained all the way from there to Benalla,but when we got to Joe's it stopped.It was a terrific day,but also pretty sad.In 1998 we went to Benalla to see Joe's armour which was displayed at the pioneer museum.I couldn't believe that his armour was not in a case or anything,and I couldn't resist the chance to touch Joe's armour.Which I did carefully.I have always really strongly admired and loved Ned,Joe,Steve and Dan equally,though especially Ned.Whenever we go to Kelly country I always put statis flowers there for the boys because they are really pretty and last a long time.Whenever our artificial flowers at Joe's begin to get old we put them near the tree.Last time I took away the older flowers near the tree that we had put there over the years as they started to look messy.I used to put pretty artificial flowers for Dan and Steve at Greta,but they were rudely mowed over by whoever the groundskeeper is there.We just put the statis flowers there for them with extra ones for Ned,like at Joe's.When I go to Old Melbourne Gaol I put them there as well.It is a beautiful place at the Woolshed isn't it. - you got that right, Lisa! I  especially like the creek near the Byrne home.It is easy to picture Joe there.We have been lucky enough to see all the boys armour over the years at exhibitions,all four together and all four separate.It is just incredible how they made them.To actually be in places where the boys were is just unbelievable.I hadn't realised I had written so much,I hope that is alright.I just want to say again how great this website is,it is one of my favourites.And in the words of my favourite poet Joe Byrne......'Long may they reign,The Kelly's,Byrne and Hart'.Best Wishes,from,Lisa - I had always honestly wondered who placed those lovely flowers there! I think it's just you and me who lay them, there should be more people, shouldn't there? maybe we will meet at Joe's grave, I go there every Sunday night. This is the longest, and probably best feedback I have ever received, thanks Lisa

The Friendship is back!
Matt [matt@pinnaclemanagementgroup.com.au] 10.01.2003
G'day Mike, We thought that you and your regulars would like to see the fantastic new cover for Ian Jones's  book, 'The Fatal Friendship'. The book was originally published back in 1992 as 'The Friendship That Destroyed Ned Kelly'. It has since become a much sought after collector's item. As you would know, an original edition is now very hard to find! 'The Fatal Friendship' tells the amazing and tragic story of Aaron Sherritt and Joe Byrne with amazing clarity and detail. Those of you who enjoyed Ian's book, 'Ned Kelly: A Short Life' will be bowled over by 'The Fatal Friendship'. An absolute must read for anyone interested in Kelly history. The exciting new edition, with revised text and fascinating new illustrations, will be released at the end of January 2003. All the best, Matt Shore and Brendan Pearse 'The Legend Of Ned Kelly - The Beacon, Southgate' - I can't wait!! Surfers of Joe Online, you are the first to see it!