[Final design TBC] With Ah Nam officially launched and out in the world (available through Booktopia, Amazon, et al.), my attention has turned back to the writing of my first Joe Byrne biography, 'Joseph Byrne: From Larrikin to Outlaw'. This biography is a cradle to grave telling of "the enforced outlaw's" life and is the … Continue reading Coming Soon: Joseph Byrne: From Larrikin to Outlaw
An update on my new book by author and illustrator Aidan Phelan. The front cover of Ah Nam, designed by Aidan Phelan. Author Georgina Stones’ new book Ah Nam, which tells the story of an incident in the early life of outlaw Joe Byrne, is slated for a February 2022 release. The book, which features illustrations … Continue reading Coming Soon: Ah Nam
A week after the Euroa robbery, Joe was reported to have been seen playing billiards at the hotel by a young man who was ‘well acquainted’ with him. It was stated by the man that Joe was ‘in close conversation with one of the Lloyd family’ and that ‘when he saw he was noticed, he … Continue reading Billiards at the Royal Mail
One of the men supplying the gang with food during the month of November was ‘strong sympathiser’ Ben Gould, a hawker Ned had befriended during his younger years. It was noted by the police that Gould was ‘buying up large quantities of sausage and supplying it to the outlaws.’ Constable Johnston believed that Gould was … Continue reading Provisions from Ben Gould
While Joe’s true identity was widely unknown during the weeks following the tragedy at Stringybark Creek, in early November 1878 the papers had received word that his name was ‘Bob Byrne’. One instance of this name being used was in The Herald’s reporting of the police raid on Margaret Byrne’s selection at Sebastopol on the … Continue reading Bob Byrne
Before daylight on the 30th of October in 1878, desperate for provisions, Joe, Ned, Dan and Steve rode to the home of a man named Neil Christian and struck him up. Christian later reported the matter to the police on the 2nd of November, and the incident was reported in the Ballarat Courier. ‘Kelly and … Continue reading The Sticking up at Bungowannah
On the 21st of January 1876, Joe and Aaron took a roan-coloured heifer calf to be slaughtered by butcher James Warner in Camp Street, Beechworth. No brands were distinguishable on the hide and Aaron asked Warner if he may have the hide back after the calf was slaughtered, for the purpose of making whips. As … Continue reading The Roan Calf
‘There were various signals by which the gang communicated with their friends. Sometimes a couple of stones placed in a peculiar position would be the signal, and sometimes an eccentric horse track. Thus, one of the gang would ride in a circle near a sympathiser's hut, and then jump a fence, and again ride circuitously, … Continue reading Outlaw Signals
“It is now known that Joe Byrne was keeping company with a girl at Beechworth and was often in and out of the township. The similarity in appearance which existed between Joe and another brother named Patsy enabling the former to pass himself off as the latter.” In early 1880, Paddy Byrne purchased a grey … Continue reading Joe and Paddy
“Some strange disclosures have come to light regarding the movements of Byrne. Some months previous to this last outbreak, it appears he had been seen frequently in Beechworth, where he was in the habit of going to see a girl. He was positively engaged to her, but was mistaken, except by those who were in … Continue reading Strange Disclosures
An Outlaw’s Journal 