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Serial killers, baby murderers and arguably Australia's most infamous outlaw, bushranger Ned Kelly, were among the many criminals held and executed at Old Melbourne Gaol. And some say the dimly lit, cold bluestone building, which operated as a prison between 1842 until its closure in 1929, is still "haunted". That's especially the case for one particular room: cell 17 on the former jail's middle level. "We get a lot of reports from people who have been pushed or shoved or even scratched and they show us scratch marks on their neck," said the National Trust's Kathleen Toohey, of the cell. "Feelings of instant cold, cameras turn off and service dogs refuse to enter. We don't know why it could be haunted." At least 133 people were hanged and buried at Victoria's oldest prison, including Ned Kelly, whose remains, along with those of other prisoners, were later transferred to mass graves at Pentridge Prison when the Old Melbourne Gaol closed. (Kelly's remains have since been moved to Greta Cemetery, in Victoria's north-east. Back at the Old Melbourne Gaol, multiple historic tours are held daily for school children and history buffs, along with night-time ghost tours. "[The ghost tours] have always been incredibly popular," Ms Toohey said. "Our ghost tours are true stories … we don't make anything up, and we don't do the jump scares." But last year the trust steered towards the spooky, holding a Halloween event complete with costumes, sweets and decorations. It sold out, and like any hit scary movie there is a sequel, which will take place this Friday. "There will be great lights up, actors in the space telling ghost stories, monster selfie stations, props," Ms Toohey said. The National Trust also manages Pentridge Prison in Coburg, which will hold its event, Halloween in Hell Division, inside the prison's notorious H-Division cell block. And at Labassa Mansion in Caulfield North, there's a sold-out Halloween event for families, including a garden scavenger hunt for "treats" such as gummy teeth, frogs and eyeballs. But Halloween is at least a little controversial in Australia, so should historic sites like Old Melbourne Gaol really be getting in on the ghoulish fun? 'Not a fan' of Halloween Visitors at Old Melbourne Gaol are quickly drawn to the death masks of executed prisoners, the hangman's noose, and Kelly Gang armour on display. Rachel Keenan is not into Halloween. "I'm not a fan. I feel like it is very American," she said. But when told the former jail was holding a Halloween night, she was much more interested in the concept. "Oh well that looks fantastic — we would definitely come to that if we could," she said. Alex McWatters, who is visiting Melbourne to see UK band Oasis perform, said the gaol seemed ideal for a spooky event. "I think it is perfect. I think this place is haunted so quite the place." The National Trust admits Halloween isn't embraced by everyone in Australia. But Kathleen Toohey said embracing a fun, slightly sinister event once a year was the right mix, especially if it introduced a broader range of people to historic sites and Australian history. "I can understand it a little bit, it is very Americanised," she said. "But, why not? We are a multicultural society, and have brought in many other holidays, so why not this one?" She said children loved the event and enjoyed dressing up. "They really get involved, which is great for us to see." But if you, or your kids, don't fancy an encounter with an apparition this Friday, maybe give cell 17 a wide berth.
