Chiltern's role in the Ned Kelly story is, in Alan Crichton's eyes, of the greatest significance.
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The Far beyond the falls author believes the Kellys' clash with police was "ignited" in the historic town, and will be talking on the topic on Saturday as part of a 'Ned Kelly Weekend'.
"In 1877, there were two boys pushing horses north through Chiltern and a witness saw this and identified the boys, one being Dan Kelly," he said.
"The witness believed the horses were stolen and went to the Chiltern police station, and it wasn't until eight months later that an arrest warrant was made out."
Forming part of a new exhibition at the Chiltern Athenaeum Museum is a copy of this arrest warrant, which was not in the possession of Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick when he went to the Kelly home in 1878.
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- It's not Disneyland: Plans for authentic return to Ned Kelly's Glenrowan in 1880
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The officer's conduct on that day and his role in the whole saga is the focus of the 'Fitzpatrick Conspiracy' theory that Crichton will speak to on Saturday.
"It was made clear to all police in Victoria that no officer was to go to the Kelly household alone," he said.
"Fitzpatrick decided he would go by himself ... he was inebriated ... and that's when he said that Ned Kelly tried to kill him.
"If it had been another police officer who had gone there, it wouldn't have happened.
"The story people know starts with Fitzpatrick taking the arrest warrant to the Kelly home, and they talk about the big scuffle and what kicks off from there - they don't stop and think about how the warrant came about.
In other news:
"It came about because a warrant was made out at our police station."
Crichton will be joined by other speakers including Brad Webb, author of Ned Kelly - the iron outlaw, the Greta Heritage Group's Noeleen Loyd and Noelene Allen, who wrote Ellen - a woman of spirit.
The weekend will include a screening of Ian Jones' documentary about Ned Kelly, presentations at the historic Star Theatre and a dinner in the Crawford Stables.
Tickets for events this weekend will raise money for the athenaeum's projects and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com.au or by contacting the museum on 03 5726 1280.
