The story
Victoria, 1868 to 1906.
Bridget Tobin and Michael Kennedy meet on a Melbourne street in 1868. He is a constable from Westmeath. She is from Tipperary.
They marry and move through frontier postings at Doon and then Mansfield. They have five children. By 1877, Michael is sergeant at Mansfield.
In October 1878, four plain clothes police are ordered into the Wombat Ranges. Michael Kennedy, Michael Scanlan and Thomas Lonigan are killed at Stringybark Creek. Thomas McIntyre escapes.
Bridget is widowed at thirty one with five children. For two years, she writes to newspapers, members of parliament and the Chief Commissioner of Police. She argues for provision for police families.
In 1880, the Member for Delatite reads her letter to the Victorian Legislative Assembly. The law changes. In 1906, the story returns to Melbourne for the premiere of The Story of the Kelly Gang.
Who they were
- Bridget Kennedy
- Born in Tipperary in 1847. She was widowed at thirty one and left with five children.
- Sergeant Michael Kennedy
- Born in Westmeath. A Victoria Police sergeant posted to Doon and Mansfield, he was killed at Stringybark Creek on 26 October 1878.
- Liu Dihuan
- A young Chinese Australian reporter. In December 1906, he asks Bridget a question no newspaper has asked her.
- Constable Thomas McIntyre
- One of four plain clothes police sent into the Wombat Ranges. He escapes Stringybark Creek and becomes the only surviving witness.
“As long as this watch keeps time, my heart will beat for you.”
MICHAEL TO BRIDGET. 25 OCTOBER 1878.
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