Jane Valentine ‘The Bushranger’: A lady whose reputation was somewhat more than doubtful by Phil Waring

Jane Valentine was a real person, but her real name is not known. As a child she was transported to Hobart with her mother on a convict ship, and grew up in the shadows of the Tasmanian prison system as an illiterate servant. Coming to Victoria she changed her name to Jane Valentine and continued her life of struggle at various gold rushes and towns across the Pyrenees. From Tarnagulla she moved to Landsborough, then to Percydale, on to Avoca and later Maryborough, with some short stints near the end of her life in Melbourne.

During her lifetime she changed her name at least twice more, firstly to Jane Ballantyne and then to Jane O’Donnell. With a strong liking for grog, for short periods she would work as a housemaid before going on a drunken spree, get herself arrested and be sent to gaol for it. More seriously, to keep warm, she would sometimes steal clothing or bedding, and receive longer sentences. Her nickname ‘the Bushranger’ was probably derived from her tendency to steal, as she was not known to have ever owned a firearm or to have ridden a horse. She died a pauper in 1897.

The story as presented here is contestable. There are many gaps and inconsistencies in the available information, and the author has been forced to make several assumptions in order to create some sense of continuity. Other readers and researchers may make other discoveries, make other assumptions, and create a different story and conclusion. They are of course welcome to do so, but this author would appreciate any considered feedback and particularly any new verifiable information about Jane. Please email to philwaring7@gmail.com

Specifications:

Publisher: Self-published

Year: 2025

Format: Paperback

Pages: 33pp

ISBN: 9781764011013

$20.00

3 in stock