HASS · Year 5 · Bushrangers and the Bush · Term 2

Famous Bushrangers: Beyond Ned Kelly

Investigate the stories of bushrangers such as Ben Hall, Captain Thunderbolt, and Frank Gardiner, and their impact.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS5K01

About This Topic

Ned Kelly is perhaps Australia's most famous and controversial historical figure. This topic explores his life, from his troubled upbringing in a poor Irish-migrant family to the events at Stringybark Creek and his final stand at Glenrowan. Students examine the 'Jerilderie Letter' to understand Kelly's own justifications for his actions and the social tensions of the time.

The study of Ned Kelly allows Year 5 students to engage with the concept of historical interpretation. Was he a cold-blooded killer or a victim of police harassment? By analyzing different perspectives, students learn that history is rarely black and white. This topic connects deeply to themes of justice, class struggle, and the creation of national icons.

This topic comes alive when students can participate in a mock trial or structured debate, forcing them to use evidence to support a specific viewpoint on Kelly's legacy.

Key Questions

1. Differentiate the methods and legacies of various prominent bushrangers.
2. Assess the extent to which bushrangers were seen as folk heroes or criminals by different groups.
3. Analyze how media of the time portrayed bushrangers.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the methods and motivations of bushrangers like Ben Hall, Captain Thunderbolt, and Frank Gardiner.
• Evaluate the differing perspectives on bushrangers, classifying them as folk heroes or criminals based on historical evidence.
• Analyze how colonial newspapers and official reports portrayed bushrangers and their actions.
• Explain the social and economic conditions that contributed to the rise of bushranging in Australia.

Before You Start

Early Australian Colonies

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of the colonial context, including settlement patterns and the establishment of law and order, to grasp the environment in which bushrangers operated.

Social Structures in Colonial Australia

Why: Understanding the divisions between settlers, police, and the working class is essential for analyzing how different groups viewed bushrangers.

Key Vocabulary

Bushranger	An outlaw, typically on horseback, who roamed the bushland of Australia, often resorting to robbery.
Colonial Era	The period of Australian history when it was a British colony, roughly from 1788 to 1900, characterized by settlement and expansion.
Folk Hero	A person, often from humble origins, who is widely admired by ordinary people for their courage, achievements, or defiance of authority.
Convict Transportation	The practice of sending convicted criminals from Britain to penal colonies in Australia, a significant factor in the social landscape of the time.
Magistrate	A civil officer or judge who administers the law, often responsible for maintaining order and dealing with minor offenses.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Ned Kelly's armor made him invincible.

What to Teach Instead

The armor was heavy, awkward, and didn't protect his legs, which is where he was eventually shot. Examining diagrams of the armor helps students understand it was a desperate and flawed invention, not a 'superhero' suit.

Common Misconception

Everyone in Australia at the time loved Ned Kelly.

What to Teach Instead

While many poor selectors supported him, many others were terrified of his violence or remained loyal to the law. Using 'letters to the editor' from 1880 helps students see the deep divide in public opinion.

Active Learning Ideas

Mock Trial: The People vs. Ned Kelly

Students take on roles as lawyers, witnesses (police, family, victims), and jurors. They must use historical evidence to argue whether Kelly's actions were justified as self-defense against a corrupt system or were simply criminal.

60 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share: Analyzing the Jerilderie Letter

Students read excerpts from Kelly's famous letter. They discuss with a partner what his main complaints were and whether his tone makes them feel more or less sympathetic toward him.

30 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: The Glenrowan Siege

Groups are given different 'perspectives' of the final shootout (a hostage in the inn, a police officer, a Kelly gang member). They reconstruct the events and present their version of what happened during the 'last stand'.

50 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Museum Victoria and the National Museum of Australia curate exhibits and collections that preserve artifacts and stories of bushrangers, allowing visitors to connect with this period of Australian history.
• Local historical societies in towns like Gulgong (associated with Ben Hall) or Uralla (associated with Captain Thunderbolt) often maintain local lore and sites, offering insights into the bushrangers' impact on specific communities.
• The Australian film industry has produced numerous movies and documentaries about bushrangers, such as 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' or 'Mad Dog Morgan', reflecting ongoing public fascination and different interpretations of their lives.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Were bushrangers like Ben Hall and Captain Thunderbolt more like Robin Hood figures or dangerous criminals?' Ask students to support their answers with specific examples from the bushrangers' actions and the reactions of different groups in colonial society.

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a blank newspaper template. Ask them to write a short headline and a brief article (3-4 sentences) from the perspective of a colonial newspaper reporting on an event involving one of the bushrangers studied. They should consider the tone and potential biases of the reporting.

Quick Check

Present students with three short quotes, each representing a different perspective on a bushranger (e.g., a police report, a settler's diary entry, a ballad). Ask students to identify which perspective is which and briefly explain their reasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Jerilderie Letter'?

It was a 56-page document dictated by Ned Kelly in 1879. In it, he explained his actions, complained about the unfair treatment of his family by the police, and called for justice for the poor. It is one of the few documents that gives us insight into his own thoughts and motivations.

Why did Ned Kelly wear armor?

Kelly and his gang made the armor from plough shares to protect themselves during their planned final confrontation with the police. They hoped it would make them bulletproof and allow them to survive a shootout, but it was extremely heavy and difficult to move in.

What happened at the Glenrowan Inn?

The Kelly gang took many townspeople hostage at the inn while they waited to ambush a police train. However, a local schoolteacher escaped and warned the train. A massive shootout followed, the inn was burned down, and Ned Kelly was the only gang member to survive and be captured.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching the Ned Kelly story?

Mock trials and role-plays are the most effective strategies for this topic. They require students to engage with the 'gray areas' of history. By defending or prosecuting Kelly, students must look closely at the social conditions of the 1870s, police corruption, and the specific crimes committed, leading to a much more sophisticated understanding than a simple 'hero or villain' label.