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 KATE'S COTTAGE GLENROWAN.
Sale
of Kate's Cottage, chance of a lifetime!
Come with me on a tour of
what to see & do at 'Kate's Cottage'.
Kate's Cottage is owned and operated by Rod & Chris Gerrett.
Rod & Chris have been a part of Glenrowan for over 20 years now.
Kate's has many facets to it. As you enter a sign informs you that
they were featured on TV's 'Getaway'. In fact the shop and museum
has had some great publicity over the years, none more than when
they installed 'Big Ned'. (more on that later under 'Big Ned')
Once inside you are almost
overwhelmed by the array of Kellyana.
Not just Ned however, there are other 'Australiana' items available.
You can find the usual 'Ned' items like key rings, statues,
tea-towels, t-shirts, caps, stickers and on and on.
Kate's has some terrific
framed prints, some depicting the Gang,
others the new Ned movie etc. There are also some local paintings
and fine jewelry.
As Kate's has coachloads of people through, they provide
customers
with the service of clean restrooms. This is a rarity these days and a
welcome
service when you need it.
Souvenirs are not all that
is on offer here, I recommend that you pay
the small asking price ($4.50) to view the museum and replica of the
Kelly home out the back of the shop.
So really you have three
sections to visit, the shop, museum & hut.
The museum is worth the asking price alone. Here you will see many
items either associated with the gang or belonging to their family.
You will see many items from the era associated with the Kelly story.
My favourite item is the original BAR window saved from the demolished
McDonnell's hotel in 1970. It looks very effective illuminated from behind.
There is a complete set of
paintings of the Kelly gang along with Mrs Kelly
and Kate Kelly. Photos of the siege are beautifully framed as are all the
images to be seen along the walls. Each glass cabinet has an array of
artifacts and relics, too many to mention here.
Go outside and you see many
more items of interest. Prison cell walls,
original cell doors, a wooden bed to which you can be shackled and the
actual wagon used in 'The Term of His Natural Life'. A peacock wanders
about,
reminiscent of the one Harry Power used to alert him to the approach of the
police. (which failed him in the end)
The replica of the Kelly
house at Greta awaits your inspection. It is set up very
authentically, complete with old newspaper wallpaper and each room is fully
furnished. Some Kelly items also can be found in here. You really have to stand
and take in each room to notice just how much is crammed into this little house.
After viewing the house, you
can see a blacksmith setup and an area for
groups to sit with tables etc. A full guestbook on the way out is testimony
to the approval of visitors to the attraction.
If you plan to visit Glenrowan, do not miss this top-notch town attraction. You won't
be disappointed.
Thank you to Rod & Chris
for their hospitality.
Hours of operation and rates for entry.
Kate's Cottage is open every day of the year
9am-5:30pm, except Xmas day.
Entry will cost you $4.50 for Adults & $1.00 kids (correction of
entry price made 28 Apr)
Coach Groups $2.00 Kids .75c
35
Gladstone Street, Glenrowan, 3675
Phone
0357 662 448
 Issues
in the News
Ned Kelly : villain or hero?
compiled by John Kilner
April 30, 2003 The Age
"I have lived in "Kelly Country" all my 51 years and have
operated a
"Ned" orientated business here for 18 years. Re: Ned Kelly - I feel
society and a mostly corrupt police force (see the Royal Commission into the
Victorian police Force after the siege of Glenrowan) made him a criminal.
I feel he is the epitomy of our Australianism, thumbing at the face of
an unreasonable authority. Australia was a new country fighting to shake off the
constraints of a snobby British society. I have been brought up hearing family
stories about Ned and in the 18 years of business have spoken to hundreds
retelling their stories. The common theme was that he was badly treated -
religion, race and as a child of an ex-convict (who stole for food)
"Diseased Stock". In 95% of stories they were proud to have had
connection to him. These stories, of course, can't be substantiated and are
probably slightly altered with the numerous tellings.
I also feel that there is a possibility that the "Larrikin" (just lark-in-around) may have originated with Ned. Re: the movie - I feel
that the movie depicted his cause reasonably well but was sacrificed for the
American market. The depiction of Australian wildlife and the circus was
straight out corny Americanism. As I was also reminded - it was never meant to
be a documentary." Chris Gerrett Glenrowan
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IN SEARCH OF A KELLY MINDED PERSON WHO WISHES TO FOLLOW
THEIR DREAM OF OWNING & OPERATING A TRUE GLENROWAN LANDMARK.
Kate's Cottage, a landmark gift shop and museum in Glenrowan for
two decades, has been put up for sale by owners Rod and Chris
Gerrett. I will personally be sad to see them go, as no visit to
Glenrowan is ever complete without stopping in to say hello and to see
what is new in stock. It is a very popular place with everyone who
visits Kelly country. Tourists from all over Australia and the world as
well as innumerable school groups have visited the museum and have seen
what life would have been like for the Kellys and others of their era in
the replica homestead. Many visitors also like to take home
a souvenir or two from the gift shop (or in my case several!).
Rod & Chris hope to find someone who loves the Kelly story as much as
they do
to that end the Gerretts have bestowed upon me the honour
and privilege to showcase the sale on this website and they would like
anyone with a serious inquiry to contact
me here and I will forward
all correspondence on to them. Below is a portion of a letter from the
Gerretts in relation to this sale. I hope that I can assist them toward a quick
sale to the right person and I wish them much success in any future venture.
.........................................................
Hi there Dave,
Yes, finally, after 20 years our business IS now on the market - listed.
lock, stock and barrels. I know we have talked and procrastinated for
the past 6 - 7 years. We have had a great time and feel like we have
had the "best seat" in the house. History can still walk right
through
our door in the form of family and spectator/witness connected
stories to the Kelly era. As you know we have had lots of celebrities -
T.V and movies stars, singers, comedians, writers, T.V. crews,
politicians, and even royalty..... Anyway, we have had a great time
and made lots of good friends and had many great conversations.
 
This is a very special THANK YOU Dave for generously providing free info
to the masses... including featuring our own business
on your website.
You have saved us heaps of time with school inquiries...being able to
refer them on knowing they will get the right info has been great. We
are very, very appreciative. As you know we have delayed this listing
for many years but the time has come to "hand on the flag" . We
feel a
heavy responsibility to find a buyer who shares the same passion for the
Kelly story as we all do..... Who knows the sale may happen quickly or
we may be here a few years longer yet. Either way hope to see you up our
way soon. Kind regards, Chris & Rod from Kates Cottage G., S., Museum &
Homestead, Glenrowan.
FURTHER DETAILS:
* If you are looking for a thriving business with
tremendous growth potential - look no further.
* This is without doubt the best business in Glenrowan and
the museum has been written up
as Australia's 'best Ned Kelly museum' having featured on "Getaway TV,
Postcards and
Women's Day etc and has been awarded the bronze tourism award for the region.
* Good sound businesses are hard to find and one that has
kept on growing is even harder.
* The museum is set out story wise in a professional way.
* Kate's Cottage and Ned Kelly museum holds priceless
artefacts that belonged to the "Kelly's"
and "Quinn's"
and Glenrowan's heritage items in the 1880's.
* Situated in a corner site next to the most focal point
for tourists in Glenrowan (next to the Big
"Ned Kelly" statue. Coach parking beside shop.
* This business has been owned and run by the present
owners for 19 years.
* This business has great scope for energetic new owners as
it has a great constant cash flow.
* Glenrowan has secured the Govt grant of $1.8 million to
improve the Kelly story and town
improvements and with Rural City of Wangaratta are looking for 12 million for a
Kelly Interpretive Centre.
* Visitor numbers to Glenrowan are between 180,000 &
220,000 and the Government with the Interpretive
Centre is aiming at 400,00.
* Price (POA) includes freehold, Kelly homestead, shop
stock and contents of museum, homestead black-smith shop and static display areas.
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