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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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A colourful story from Sideshow Alley

Infamy, the macabre & the portrait

by Joanna Gilmour, 27 October 2015

Death mask of George Melville courtesy of National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Old Melbourne Gaol Collection

George Melville (c. 1822-53), convict and bushranger, was transported to New South Wales in 1836 but later sent to Van Diemen’s Land where he met brothers John and George Francis, both also convicts. The trio all later made their various ways to Victoria and by 1853 were on the McIvor (Heathcote) goldfields.

In late July the Melvilles teamed up with three other men, William Atkins, George Wilson, and Joseph Grey, with a plan to intercept the Melbourne Gold Escort Company’s vehicle on the road between Heathcote and Kyneton. The bandits obstructed the road with tree branches, forcing the coach to a stop. In the exchange of gunfire that followed the driver was wounded, but the bushrangers managed to get away with a goodly amount of loot. Having divided the spoils, Melville, Wilson, Atkins and John Francis made plans to bolt, but were all soon apprehended. John Francis testified against his three comrades who were found guilty on capital charges and sentenced to hang.

Following his execution on 7 October, Melville's wife was successful in her application to have his body released to her for burial. Instead, she decorated him with flowers and put him on display in her oyster shop in the city, causing the authorities to revoke their agreement with her and order that all executed prisoners must henceforth be buried within the grounds of the gaol.

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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