Leo Kennedy, whose great-grandfather Sergeant Michael Kennedy, was slain at Stringybark Creek in 1878, will speak for the Echuca Family History Group at Christ Anglican Church, located at 520 Hare St, at 1:30pm.
“His children were quite young when he died, ranging in age from nine down to one year and 10 months,” Mr Kennedy said.
“He had five children when he passed.”
Mr Kennedy, who is the acting chief executive of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, seeks to highlight the often-forgotten victims of the Kelly Gang.
“There is a lot written, there is a lot said and movies that focus on Ned Kelly, who is the villain of the piece,” he said.
“What is ignored time and again is the victims of Ned Kelly, and among the victims are the four policemen of Stringybark Creek, three of whom were murdered and one who lived the remainder of his life suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The presentation will chronicle the tragic events at Stringybark Creek where Sergeant Kennedy and constables Michael Scanlan and Thomas Lonigan were killed.
Constable Thomas McIntyre was the lone survivor.
“The impact has flowed down from generation to generation,” Mr Kennedy said.
“That is why I got involved with the Blue Ribbon Foundation, to remember not just the three policemen of Stringybark Creek, but all policemen that have lost their lives in the performance of their duty.”
Mr Kennedy will also discuss a new book, titled From Sligo to Stringybark Creek, that he has co-authored with Irish writer Michael O’Connor.
The book delves into the backgrounds of the four policemen who journeyed from Ireland to Victoria.
“Ned Kelly was only convicted of one murder; however, three men died that day,” Mr Kennedy said.
“The reason why only one death is talked about as murder, because there was only one trial.
“Unfortunately, Ned Kelly was never tried for the murder of Constable Scanlan and he was never tried for the murder of Sergeant Kennedy and he was never tried for many other offences he committed.”
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