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Judy Rudd, an amateur genealogy researcher in Southern Queensland, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd great-great uncle, Remus Rudd, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Melbourne in 1889. Both Judy and Kevin Rudd share this common ancestory.

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows at the Melbourne Gaol.

On the back of this picture, Judy found during her research, is this inscription: 'Remus Rudd horse thief, sent to Melbourne Gaol 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Melbourne-Geelong train six times. Caught by Victoria Police Force, convicted and hanged in 1889.'

So Judy e-mailed Prime Minister Rudd to see if he could confirm this information about their great-great uncle, Remus Rudd.

Believe it or not, Kevin Rudd's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research finding:

“Yes, Remus Rudd was a famous man in Victoria during the mid to late 1800s . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Melbourne-Geelong Railroad.

Beginning in 1883, Remus devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad.

In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the Victoria Police Force. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honour when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."


Now that's what I call real POLITICAL SPIN.

LOL

Now, that IS impressive spin!

Cheers,
Shafique

My word !

Sending that one to the boozy bunch of PR gurus in Grauchos!

Full marks for creative crisis management.



Knight