THE printing shop where Ned Kelly tried to get his manifesto published is now being restored.
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Kelly went to Jerilderie with his gang, brother Dan and friends Joseph Byrne and Stephen Hart, one night in 1879.
He wanted to find the Jerilderie and Urana Gazette's editor, Samuel Gill, to print his now famous letter.
Jerilderie councillor, resident of 45 years and local historian Laurie Henery said Kelly knew Jerilderie was isolated, practically undefended and had a printer.
"That was his first priority," Cr Henery said.
"He'd dictated the letter to Joe Byrne and had come to Jerilderie to have it printed and published."
Gill could not be found and Kelly instead handed his letter to a bank accountant.
Jerilderie Council is spending $59,000 to restore Gill's office and home in the main street.
The regional and local community infrastructure program contributed $30,000 to the project, which will be complete early next year.
Entry will be from the town's new library.
But other important historical sites, including six which Kelly or members of his gang visited directly, are only open by appointment.
The Willows tourism centre is closed, and the council is investigating options to run a tourism centre, staffed by volunteers, from an existing business.
Cr Henery said the council was also considering a talking tour guide app for smart phones.
"We haven't got the volunteers, we can't afford to pay guides," he said.
He said the town's location on the Newell Highway, and at the gateway to the Kidman Way, made it a perfect stop for travellers.
"And if we get them here for Ned then we can tell them about Monash, about McLarty (a prominent pastoralist) and all the rest."