No argument here..That's what I meant by 'romanticized"..the myths, the legends, the folklore all juicily intertwined with historically proven facts make for unlikely heroes..and yet, here we are..both Ned and Ben along with Captain Moonlight and numerous others fit the bill...and we love 'em
Ned is also the idol of bikers here..the guild-master if you like..They wear beards like his, and knowing a few of them and having been to their parties, (many waaay too wild for even me), Ned is always there, either in paintings, pics, clothing, statues or plaques..Hero status..
Yes underdog v system..The tales or the British police possies (most of whom had been convicts themselves) and the Brits were brutal and known for their bloodthirsty history so their corruption is just as noteworthy..Miners rebelled at Ballarat in Victoria, a silver mining township, flourishing in the 1800's and the uprising that lives on as The Eureka Stockade Rebellion. A hard working Peter Lalor stood at the head of the rebellion..wasn't a great ending I admit..but the oppression points were taken and considered after that..The miners bore a flag..They made their point..Id upload a copy of the flag but have no idea how..lol...and many people have tatts of it or wear the singlets..or fly it still on their flagpoles at home and clubs..It's still such a part major role of the true Aussie psyche 200 years on..It's called the Southern Cross and interestingly was designed by a Canadian..9I tried to paste a photo here but it didn't work..sorry