Kate Kelly, the daring sister of legendary bushranger Ned Kelly, was
mysteriously found dead in a lagoon outside the NSW town of Forbes in
1898.
At the inquest, Kate's husband Bricky Foster claimed that she was
addicted to drink and frequently spoke of suicide. However, a neighbour
testified that she had only known Kate to drink since the recent birth
of her baby and that she never spoke of suicide. Was it suicide,
accident or murder, and why had she changed her name to Ada?
While only a teenager, Kate rode as a messenger and decoy for the Kelly
Gang, and was present at the gruesome Glenrowan siege. After Ned's
execution, she appeared at public gatherings around Australia. Huge
crowds came to see her talk and ride, and she helped to popularise the
Ned Kelly story as a celebrity in her own right. Then she disappeared
from the public eye.
Rebecca Wilson is the first to uncover the full story of Kate Kelly's
tumultuous life. It will surprise anyone who thought they already knew
the story of Australia's most famous outlaw.
'Rarely told in full, this is the fascinating life of one of the great
characters in one of our greatest stories.' - Paul Terry, author of The
True Story of Ned Kelly's Last Stand
'Thoroughly recommended not only to those who have an interest in
bushranging and the Kelly dynasty but anyone who enjoys a well-written
and riveting yarn, based on fact.' - Rob Willis OAM, National Library of
Australia Oral History and Folklore Collections
