Site of infamous Ned Kelly saga hits market

The bootmaker’s at 64a Arundel St underwent a complete restoration when current owners David Moore and Helen Foster got the keys.

Before its restoration, even Ned might have had a hard time recognising it.

However, in 2023, it is almost identical to the building Ned ran to on that historic day.

“We bought it back in ’88,” Mr Moore said.

“When we got it, it was about to be condemned. It was essentially derelict.

“It had no verandah, the front had been clad, and it needed rewiring.”

Mr Moore said once it was rewired, he had to get special permission to install a verandah to bring it back to its former glory.

“And it was the first commercial building in Benalla to have its verandah put back on since they pulled them all out in the 1960s,” he said.

“I had to get council at the time to agree to it.

“Then I went down to Melbourne to meet with the historic buildings people and a heritage architect.

“He gave me some very good advice and drawings on how to recreate it, which we followed.

“We made it as close to the original as possible.”

That’s when the they made an incredible find.

“Once we pulled the cladding off the front, we uncovered all the original timbers,” Mr Moore said.

“We cleaned them all up, and it was starting to look like it once did.

“We changed the windows, too. Originally, it had very narrow windows, as glass was so expensive in those days.

“However, the shop had big plate glass windows when we bought it.

“So we replaced them with small panes to get it looking as close to original as possible.”

Mr Moore and Ms Foster ran it as a shop for many years after the restoration.

“We sold collectables,” Mr Moore said.

“It was called King’s Fine Wares back then, in reference to Mr King, who ran the bootmaker’s shop.”

Mr Moore was keen to explain that the Kellys had more involvement in the shop and with the King family than could possibly fit on the brass plaque bolted to its wall.

“Well, the reason Ned ran into the bootmaker’s is that his family knew the Kings from their time down in Avenel,” he said.

“He’d been arrested for riding his horse on the footpath in Benalla.

“It was September 18, 1877. Ned was only 16 at the time and objected to being in handcuffs.

“He spotted his old family friend across the road and ran to him.

“But three police grabbed him, and it was a pretty ugly incident.”

Mr Moore said the Kelly connection to the building did not end that day.

“Ned’s brother Jim Kelly lived out near Winton,” Mr Moore said.

“After it was a bootmaker’s, it was a hairdresser for years.

“Jim used to come into Benalla to get his hair cut there. And I believe he stayed in the Farmer’s Arms whenever he was in town.

“So he’d get his hair cut, then retire to the pub for the evening.”

In recent years, the building has been a café, The Bootmaker’s Shop.

The property is now for sale through Ray White Benalla and is a rare opportunity for a buyer to own a piece of history and take on the responsibility that comes with that.

Selling agent Shayne McKean said this was the first time in his career that a building with this much historical significance had come across his desk.

“We do, quite often, go to a property, and the owner will mention that Ned came through or the old farmer used to help him out with food,” Mr McKean said.

“But this one is so unique. To think Ned Kelly and the police basically had a fight inside the residence. That makes it very rare.

“It’s a piece of not just Benalla’s history, but Australia’s.”

Mr McKean said expressions of interest would be open from Friday, December 15.

“Given its historic nature, it was quite difficult to put a price on it,” he said.

“So we’ll have this campaign running up until Australia Day and leave it in the market’s hands to determine its value.”

For more information or to arrange a viewing, call Shayne McKean at Ray White Benalla on 5762 2266 or 0438 568 287.