Drought in the Riverina near Jerilderie

Jerilderie
Small rural township made famous by its association with Ned Kelly and his gang of bushrangers.
Located 638 km south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Sturt Highways and 109 m above sea-level Jerilderie is a town of some 900 persons. The name derives from the language of the Jeithi Aborigines who lived here before European settlement. 'Djirrildhuray' is thought to mean 'with reeds' or 'reedy place', probably referring to its situation on the banks of Billabong Creek. The surrounding district produces wool, wheat, rice and vegetables and is the centre of the largest merino stud area in NSW.

Squatters, mostly from Tumut, moved into the area during the land rush of the early 1840s and established large cattle stations along Billabong Creek.

The stations were licensed in 1848 and the dwellings slowly altered from basic gunyahs to slab huts to lathe-and-plaster walls and shingle roofs. Mary's Creek run, which surrounded the future townsite, was taken up by the Kennedy family. Settlement started when itinerant drapery dealer, John Carracticus Powell, with the encouragement and assistance of the Kennedy Family, set up a house and store in 1858 by the creek. He also opened the Travellers' Rest Inn. The first building on the current townsite it later became the Albion Inn and is still standing.

William Davidson arrived the following year and chose a spot 3.2 km away. He constructed a brick kiln and made his own home, hotel and blacksmith's.

River-steamer captain, Francis Cadell (see entry on Hay) built another store between the two in 1860, on a site opposite the current police station. Thus there were three competitors in close proximity for what must have been a very limited amount of custom in a countryside that was grossly underpopulated.

The village was gazetted in 1865 and sheep began to replace cattle. A public school opened in 1868 and a courthouse in 1869. Around 1873 when the first wheat was harvested. The merino studs, for which the district is famous, were developed in the 1880s.

The whistle of the first train surprised the townspeople in 1884 as it was not scheduled and they did not even know the line had been completed. The municipality was declared in 1889.

The population increased from 170 in 1871 to 989 in 1911. However, the selectors failed so the town declined and the land reverted to large holdings. More recently irrigation has enabled the growth of the rice and vegetable industry. This has enabled the construction of two tomato-processing plants in the vicinity.

Things to see:  

The tiny bank building which was once robbed by Ned Kelly

Jerilderie and Ned Kelly
Jerilderie is best known as the site of one of the most infamous and daring raids of bushranger Ned Kelly, Australia's most legendary figure, whose character and story (or myth) has continued to appeal in a way that has furnished interesting insights into the attitudes and perceptions of Australians on subjects such as law and order, class, ethnicity, definitions of criminality and how these factors interact.

At the time of their Jerilderie raid the Kelly gang were already wanted for the deaths of three policemen and a major bank robbery and had £1000 reward on their heads. Ned and Dan Kelly with Steve Hart and Joe Byrne arrived at the Woolshed Inn on Saturday, February 8, 1879. Two of the gang stayed for tea. Late in the evening they moved on to the police station. Ned Kelly called out that there was murder at the Woolshed Inn and Sergeant Devine and Constable Richards emerged, to be taken captive and imprisoned. Dan Kelly helped Mrs Devine prepare the courthouse, over the road, for Sunday mass.

The gang spent Sunday quietly at the police station, though two of them, dressed in the policemen's uniforms, snuck into town for a look around. At midday on Monday the four (two again in police uniform) rode into town. They went to the Royal Mail Hotel, one end of which was rented out by the Bank of NSW. There they herded everyone into the building (about 30 people in all) at gun point.

Byrne entered the bank and bailed up the clerk and teller. Kelly emptied the available cash (£690) into a sack. Kelly obtained a counter-key to the 'treasure drawer' from the manager, who was discovered in his bath, and there found another £1450, the bank's books and the deeds to the town allotments. Threatening to return for the deeds he took the books and burned them.

Mr Gill, the local newspaper proprietor, and Mr Rankin, a merchant, arrived at the bank and entered. Kelly chased after them and they fled. Gill escaped the town and, apparently after downing two bottles of whiskey, set off to raise the alarm. The merchant was chased into the hotel where Kelly caught him, grabbed him by the collar and asked him why he fled. There he levelled his revolver. People called out for him not to fire.

Hart then rode to the post and telegraph office. A bystander, James Rankin, has left an account of these events: 'I am still in the land of the living, having passed through the ordeal unscathed. I can tell you a person does feel queer when he has a revolver within three or four inches of his head. As you asked me to give an account of my doings (which weren't very brilliant) when bailed up by the Kellys, I will now try to give you a pretty fair one.

'On Monday afternoon..Jefferson [the postmaster]..said the Kellys had stuck up the Bank, which we wouldn't believe. We were standing in front of the office when a man came charging across the street and pulled his horse up at the fence..He..put his hand in his pocket, pulled out his revolver, and told us to bail up, and come inside (which we immediately did). He then commenced jawing to Jefferson about stopping the line from working, and cut the wires in two places. Had a drink, first asking was it good. We then went outside and met Ned Kelly, who immediately started to cut down poles; but finding it hard work, he gave the contract to Charley Naw. We then proceeded to the Royal where we saw a whole crowd of people vainly trying to look as if they relished the joke.'

Kelly and Hart then moved on to the Albion Inn where Hart stole a horse and a watch which Kelly forced him to return. Having accumulated £2140 they headed south into the bush. The postmaster repaired the lines and telegraphed the news which caused a major stir and saw the reward doubled to £2000. Public criticism of the police and townspeople caused Sgnt Devine to quit the force.

While holding up the bank, Kelly had passed a note to the teller which was substantially the same as a letter he had sent to a politician named Donald Cameron. This now famous missive, known as the Jerilderie Letter, explained and justified his actions. It voiced a sometimes humorous but deeply felt sense of grievance, injustice and disrespect for the Victorian police. Kelly believed they had consistently wronged his family and that their actions unnecessarily precipitated the killing of the three policemen in 1878 and the subsequent outlawing of he and Dan. It includes the famous lines: 'And are all my brothers and sisters, and my mother, not to be pitied also, who have no alternative but to put up with the brutal and cowardly conduct of a parcel of big ugly fat necked wombat headed, big bellied, magpie legged, narrow hipped, splay-footed sons of Irish bailiffs or English landlords, known as 'officers of justice' or 'Victorian Police'?

Today the original post and telegraph office remains largely unchanged and at the same location in Powell St. Next door is an information centre and museum known as 'The Willows', an historic home which was built in 1878 to serve as the residence for a water-powered stone-grind flour mill that was relocated in 1884.

Although the police stables still exist the station house has been demolished. All that remains is the cell door, purchased by and on display at the Willow Museum, open from 9.30-4.30 daily (03 5886 1666). The station stood opposite the courthouse which can still be found at the same spot, at the eastern (Narrandera) end of the main street (Jerilderie St). Now the town library, the exterior is largely unchanged though the interior has been altered. One of its old benches is now at The Willows.

The Royal Mail Hotel burned down and the Colony Inn Hotel-Motel now stands on this site (cnr of Jerilderie and Wood Sts). The Traveller's Rest/Albion Inn is now a private home next door to The Willows. Between the two buildings is a footbridge across Billabong Creek which, in the 1960s, replaced the toll bridge set up by John Carracticus Powell.

Historic Buildings
Several other surviving buildings from the late 19th century are the mechanics' institute, the Catholic, Presbyterian (now Uniting) and Anglican churches, and the railway station.

The Home of Sir John Monash
Jerilderie is where the man who became General Sir John Monash grew up. He is recognised as one of the most respected and celebrated generals in the history of the Australian armed forces, one of the ablest British corps commanders and, in the 1920s, was widely accepted as the greatest living Australian.

Jerilderie Lake and Luke Park

Jerilderie Lake and Luke Park
Jerilderie Lake and Luke Park are a pleasant spot for a picnic. The artificial lake covers 5.3 ha. and is used for water sports, especially waterskiing. The windmill, one of largest in the southern hemisphere, was built in 1909-10 and used for irrigation on Goolgumbla station. The wheel has a diameter of 12.5m and the windmill itself is15 m high.

Other Attractions
Jerilderie also has a golf course and Jerilderie Doll World, at 57 Bolton St, houses a large collection of dolls from around the world. It is open by appointment (03-5886 1583).

The banks of the Yanko and Billabong Creeks are good fishing and camping sites. Indeed, spanning the distance between the two creeks is a huge and quite beautiful property which is home to Jerilderie Native Fish Farm. One of the largest rice farms in Australia they are also planting 15,000 native trees a year over the next ten years for reasons of beautification and forestry and are cultivating native fish. There are camping tours which will soon be combined with fishing from their impressive stocks (03-5886 1290).

	Tourist Information
	The Willows 11 Powell St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1666
	Motels
	Greenview Motel 150 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1406 Rating: **
	Jerilderie Budget Motel Newell Hwy Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1301
	Jerilderie Motor Inn 4 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1360 Facsimile: (03) 5886 1235 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Colony Inn Hotel/Motel 26 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1220 Rating: ***
	New Riverina Hotel 71 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1325
	Royal Mail Hotel 22 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1224
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Do Book Inn Bed & Breakfast 17 Powell St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1513
	Cottages & Cabins
	Woodside Station Cottage Woodside La via Wilson Rd Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1560
	Caravan Parks
	Jerilderie Motel & Caravan Park 121 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1366 Rating: ***
	Backpackers
	Jerlderie Accommodation Centre 71 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1370
	Restaurants
	Colony Inn Hotel Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1220
	Golden Slipper Restaurant 60 Jerilerie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1351
	Greenview Motel Newell Hwy Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1406
	Jerilderie Golf Club Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1495
	Pittfour Homestead Restaurant Elliot Lane Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1271
	Cafés
	Bobbie's Jerilerie Cafe 77 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1822
	Motels
	Jerilderie Motel & Caravan Park 121 Jerilderie St Jerilderie NSW 2716 Telephone: (03) 5886 1366 Rating: ***