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
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
I first met her along the Woolshed Road, when the light of the day had just turned to dusk. She was sitting in the dirt of the road, the wagon she was riding in having lost a piece of iron from the harness. The blue of her eyes and golden hue of her hair are … Continue reading My Elly
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
“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
On an unknown day in September 1875, Joe rose from his slumber in Aaron’s hut at Sheepstation Creek and saddled his mare for another day of ‘roaming about the Woolshed.’ With his pipe clenched between his teeth and the reins threaded loosely through his fingers, Joe rode on, following the banks of Stoney Creek until … Continue reading Joe Byrne and the Discarded Saddle
On the morning of the 13th of September 1873, the temptation to take Anton Wick’s horse, which hasn’t been ridden for two months, is too great for Joe and he catches the black gelding and takes him up to Kennedy’s yard. Saddling and bridling the horse with either his, or Kennedy’s tack, Joe mounts and … Continue reading The Black Gelding
After the Euroa and Jerilderie bank robberies, the Byrne family had something they had not had before, money. This money was spent paying off long standing debts, new clothing, and purchasing general household items. On one occasion, when Enoch Downes the school inspector, made a visit to the Byrne selection, he paid particular notice to … Continue reading Money for Drapery
In March 1873, a visitor to Beechworth wrote to the editor of the Ovens and Murray Advertiser to express his annoyance at the lack of appropriate signage in the Woolshed. According to the disgruntled gentleman, the Woolshed was full of signage advertising shops in Beechworth, but no actual sign indicating which road one should take … Continue reading A Disgruntled Traveler
An Outlaw’s Journal 