Declared an ‘Outlaw’ by the then government meaning he was longer protected under the law, it was therefore legal for anyone to persecute or kill him. Born to Irish parents in Beveridge, Victoria in December 1854 Ned Kelly the bush ranger was forged by the corruption of the colonial police powers in the newly declared British colony of Van Diemens Land.

Declared an ‘Outlaw’ by the then government meaning he was longer protected under the law, it was therefore legal for anyone to persecute or kill him. His bush ranging career came to an end at an Inn in Glenrowan, Victoria in June 1880 where he and his gang were surrounded by officers of the law and forced a final shootout. He was captured and sentenced to death by hanging. Said to be his final words, Such is Life has become an acclaimed and lauded saying throughout the land and a symbol of rebellion. His story has become legend and he is considered a folk hero. Ned Kelly was hanged in the Old Melbourne Gaol (Jail) on the 11th November 1880. He was 25 years old. 

This famous bush ranger coined the phrase ‘Such Is Life’ and represents the struggles early settlers in Australia faced against its colonial rulers.  Ned Kelly has gone down as a true Australian hero despite the fact he was an outlaw.