Where a passion can lead you? Not only a passion, but also something
humbler... So, let me reword the question: where a simple niche interest can
lead you?
The third day of WordCon2 Brad Webb shows us a case that answers the
question.
He has always found the story of Ned Kelly really fascinating,
although he doesn’t consider him as a big fun. He has read different books
about Ned since he was a kid.
Brad is also interested in technology. How did the two things link
to each other? In the middle of ‘90s the Internet began to expand and to give
to anyone with flair of technology the possibility to create websites by
themselves. Brad was fascinated by the opportunity the Internet offered and
wanted to try to build a website on his own. It was in this way that he
collected all his knowledge obtained through his readings about Ned Kelly and
opened his first website, called Outlaw Hero Legend, about Ned’s story.
It was “a way to practice web design that might lead to a job,” Brad
thought, although he was already working for the Football Australian Magazine.
The website had basic design; 11 or 12 pages with buttons and links
to different sections. As simple as it was, it started to be noticed and Brad
received feedbacks from people who most of the time liked it; some also wanted
to write articles for the website. He received emails also from the NSW
Education Department, the WA Education Department and the State Library of
Victoria. The website expanded involving more people. They attended any event
related to Ned Kelly and reported it.
Outlaw Hero Legend became too crowded and needed a new version that
was created towards the end of the ‘90s, more structured and with also space
for a shop. The website started to get the first incomes.
In 2001, Brad was contacted to create the website for the big Ned
exhibition that would have taken place at the Old Melbourne Gaol. The
organisation was not interested in having a catalogue; however, a great exhibition
couldn’t miss it, so Brad decided to produce one. Having all the contents
necessary and a friend to help him, in less than one week—the exhibition was
coming up, by now—and through white nights, they made it.
“It’s probably since then that I’ve become addicted to coffee!” Brad
reveals. However, Ned. The Exhibition,
an A5 book printed in 20,000 copies was sold out.
Then, Brad moved to Queensland and did a master, but the publication
of his first book left on him the willing to keep going in this field.
The occasion came again in 2002 when he met Max Brown, the author of
Australian Son—a classic for any fan
of Ned.
Brown wanted to republish a new version of it. Brad knocked the
doors of many publishers on Brown’s behalf; strangely enough, no publisher was
interested.
Brown died in 2003, but his Australian
Son took a new life. Brad, with Brown’s friends examined all the different
versions Brown had rewritten, chose the best of them and worked on the editing.
In 2005 Australian Son saw a new
publication in soft cover; in 2013 another publication in hard cover.
In the meantime, the evolution of technology, the increase of
contents and followers of Outlaw Hero Legend requested to create a new version
of it. Then, another one followed. But soon, also this became massive with 460
pages and around 30,000 images. The new website, with a much more modern and
polished design and with interactivities, goes under the name of
IronOutlaw.com.
Over years, Brad can count under his belt other books published: Far Beyond the Falls (2007) by A. D.
Crichton, for whom Brad created also the website; Blood in the Dust (a study of Ned Kelly and Joe Byrne calligraphy) and
Ellen-A Woman Of Spirit by Noelene
Allen (2013), a portrait of Ned’s mum.
The interest on the Internet and the interest on the Australian
story led Brad to create a website; a website connected Brad to many people and
led him into publishing. As humble as it may be, an interest can take you to
places you would never expect!
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