10 December 1878

The Euroa Bank Raid. The Kelly Gang help themselves to £2,000 in notes, a 31 ounce gold ingot, silver and several pistols and ammunition. The gang then disappear into the Strathbogie Ranges with their haul.

The orginal plan was to hold up the bank in Seymour but this had fallen through because the banks of the area were wary of a surprise attack by the gang, other banks taking special precautions were those in Benalla, Beechworth, Mansfield and Wangaratta.

Ben Gould was sent on a reconnaisance mission to evaluate the town and the bank for the robbery. Ben stayed at Euroa's oldest surviving building, (Fermoy) known as the Euroa Inn where he stayed during the reconnoitre.

Joe Byrne had come by information that the Dry Creek Gold Mine had deposited some gold at the bank and this was apparently one of the reasons that the gang chose this bank rather than the others in the area. Security was lax and the gang could easily help themselves to the bank's contents.

The Kelly brothers, Ned and Dan accompanied by Byrne and Hart rode into Euroa and began rounding up the locals into the local storehouse as prisoners of the gang.

A local travelling draper called James Gloster was bailed up. Ned then dressed himself in some of Gloster's apparel including a blue sack coat, brown tweed trousers and waistcoat, a grey striped flannel shirt and a magenta tie. (This information comes from Justin Corfield's Encyclopedia of Ned Kelly).

Later that day Robert Scott, manager of the National Bank found himself in the company of Ned, Dan and Steve Hart, all armed with pistols.

He was returned to his house where his wife and children were preparing themselves for the funeral of a local boy Bill Gouge who had died as a result of a horse riding accident.

The key to the safe was finally given to the gang by Scott's wife and with that Ned gathered the family and the family servants together into a group. Afterwards the Kelly Gang helped themselves to £2,000 in notes, a 31 ounce gold ingot, silver and several pistols and ammunition.

There were quite a few hostages by the time everyone was rounded up. Robert and Susy Scott, her mother in law, seven children, the maid, the nanny and two bank officials, all of whom had to be transported to Faithfull's Creek. Such were the numbers of hostages that they had to use Scott's buggy, Steve Hart followed behind on horseback and they made their way out of town past the cemetery where the funeral of Bill Gouge was taking place and proceeded with haste to Faithfull's Creek.

The Kelly Gang used no violence or threats and it is said that even the hostages thought highly of the gang as a result of their passive action.

The whole group were then taken to Younghusband station where the unfortunate Scotts were locked up with the rest of the hostages. The group of captives were warned not to leave the building for at least three hours or risk being shot.

The gang then disappeared into the Strathbogie Ranges with their haul.

DECEMBER 1878
The Victorian Government despatches groups of soldiers from the Garrison Artillery to protect towns with banks. The soldiers are sent to Avenel, Chiltern, Euroa, Seymour, Violet Town, Wangaratta, and Wodonga. Later they are sent to Beechworth and Shepparton.

9 DECEMBER 1878
The Kelly Gang arrive at Faithfull's Creek Station and meet Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald. James Gloster, the hawker suspected of supplying clothes to the gang and being a Kelly sympathiser arrives at Faithfull's Station.

9 December 1878
The Kelly Gang bails up Faithfull's Creek Station.

10 December 1878
The Euroa Bank Raid. The Kelly Gang help themselves to £2,000 in notes, a 31 ounce gold ingot, silver and several pistols and ammunition. The gang then disappear into the Strathbogie Ranges with their haul.

1. The Euroa Inn (Garrett's Store or Fermoy)

2. Police Station

3. Court House

4. The National Bank of Australia, robbed by Kelly Gang

5. Euroa Railway Station

6. Site of the Third National Bank

The Ned Kelly Trail - Euroa

The Ned Kelly Trail Stop 3.

Euroa offers many historical buildings of interest, not all have a connection with Ned Kelly but are worth looking at.

Each property of historical importance is signposted clearly with an explanation and old photograph.

Euroa's history tour is well laid out and easy to follow.

The Euroa Inn
This is where Ben Gould stayed when he came to Euroa on his reconaissance mission prior to the bank robbery.

The original part of the building is to the left, the remainder was added at a later date.

The Colonial Bank Site
The site of the Euroa Bank Raid. The old building was replaced with a more modern structure.

Euroa has many historical buildings all of which are clearly signed and show a picture along with historical facts.

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