The Kelly Quest is unique.

The Kelly Quest is a full day CBD-based excursion jointly developed by way of a partnership between the State Library of Victoria, the Victoria Police Museum and the National Trust’s Old Melbourne Gaol – Crime and Justice Experience.

These organizations are custodians of the Kelly story, each housing original Kelly gang artifacts, perspectives and insights.

Among these are:

• original suits of armor worn by members of the gang,
• guns belonging to Ned Kelly and members of the Victorian Police from the 1850’s to the 1880’s,
• copies of death masks made after Kelly was hanged,
• pages of the famous ‘Jerilderie letter’ dictated by Ned Kelly to gang member Joe Byrne,
• photographs of Ned Kelly and the gang, scenes and events from their time as outlaws and the siege at Glenrowan,
• documents relating to crimes committed by the Kelly gang and rewards for their capture.
• the site Ned Kelly was actually tried, imprisoned and hanged

A half day or full day experience

Many schools have come to these respective cultural institutions separately to gain insight into the Kelly phenomenon, and this opportunity remains, especially for those students looking for a half day experience. However, for those wanting a 3 for 1 all day experience, the Kelly Quest will be Australia’s newest and most unique educational program for years 7 – 10 students learning about bushrangers in general and Ned Kelly in particular.

How the day works

Students from Years 7 - 10 take on a character-based role for the day from which they can view the Kelly gang. They are challenged with different perspectives, realia and stories about Ned Kelly, his family, the gang, society and law through the interpretative spaces of all three institutions.

The program runs from 9.45am to 2.30pm

Students arrive at the Victoria Police Museum in time for a 9.45 sharp start

(World Trade Centre, Lower Concourse Level, near the corner of Flinders and Spencer Streets – main entrance via Siddeley St)

9.45 Start and participate in a 1 hour session that gives insight into the Kelly story from the police perspective as well as comparing modern policing with policing at the time of the Kelly gang

10.45 -11.15 Students then make their way (by tram or own bus) to the State Library,

(328 Swanston St on the corner of Swanston and Latrobe Streets)

11.15 Commence 75 minute program whereby students will be encouraged to learn and analyse the particulars of the Kelly story and to decide whether a diverse range of primary source material is pro- or anti- Ned Kelly.

12.30 – 1.15 Lunch

1.15 Arrive following a short walk up Latrobe Street to Russell St and the Old Magistrates’ Court where students will be participants in the trial of Ned Kelly courtroom drama and then on to the Old Melbourne Gaol to see where Ned was imprisoned and hanged (total 75 minutes).

2.30 Finish Kelly Quest and depart the Old Melbourne Gaol

Curriculum links

The day’s activity together with the pre- and post- visit learning programs encompass the domains of History (Humanities), Civics and Citizenship and English. The activities are based on reading and interpreting historical information with students working towards a range of progression points in those domains. These are specifically articulated in the Kelly Quest Education Resource kit available on booking.

Year level suitability and group size

We have aimed the experience and activities at a Year 9 level but believe the curriculum links and accessibility, depending on the group, are also suitable for Years 7, 8 and 10. Class size limits apply (maximum approximately 30).

Supporting materials – The Education Resource Kit

All groups that book will receive a copy of the Education Resource Kit. It contains all the information about the day (maps, transport, how to get from one institution to the next, times) as well as background information (timeline and biographies of key figures), pre-visit and post-visit learning programs, program resource sheets, and a list of other resources and references.

When the program starts

The Kelly Quest operates in two fortnight long blocks each term, Monday to Friday. In 2010 these are:

• Term 1: March 15 – 26
• Term 2: May 31 – June 11
• Term 3: August 30 – September 10
• Term 4: November 22 – December 3

Cost

$20 per student

Bookings & How to find out more

In order to experience the Kelly Quest, a booking must be made.

Call the bookings number at the Old Melbourne Crime & Justice Experience on 8663 -7228 or e-mail: bookings@oldmelbournegaol.com.au

State Library of Victoria – Education Bookings: 8664 7555 e-mail:education@slv.vic.gov.au

Victoria Police Museum - Bookings line: 9247 6354 Website: www. police.vic.gov.au (and click on ‘museum’)