Purple Thistle

Encountering a purple thistle while out rambling took Kate Birrell back through the years to Diggers Rest and memories of her encounter with the Sunbury Rock Music Festival. If she had her time over again…

The Ashes 2021/22 – Fifth Test, Hobart Day 1: A great day of cricket at Blundstone Arena

Young Hugo Birrell reports on the first day’s play from the historic Fifth Ashes Test at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

Almanac Life: Friday Night Rivers

The gathering storm, the carpark, a mystery man, and squawking magpies are all part of Kate Birrell’s day before she sets off on her jog.

Almanac Art and Poetry: My City

Kate Birrell on the state of play in her city: Melbourne.

Almanac Art: Wednesday night – Disrupted

Kate Birrell’s latest, on listening to Raf Epstein during Melbourne’s latest lockdown.

Almanac Life: Summer Trip

Kate Birrell remembers the joys of a summer trip with her family of eight piled snugly in the Ford Fairmont to visit her grandparents in Albury in the 70s.

Almanac Art: Day of the 2020 Grand Final

Tiger fan Kate Birrell shares her long, long day of waiting for the night of the Grand Final that inspired yet another superb artwork.

Almanac Life: Racing the train

The feeling of running can help ease the pain of the action. Kate Birrell discovered this as she flew along the Djerring Trail in Melbourne’s south-east.

AFLW Round 1 – St Kilda v Western Bulldogs: Old Ground, New Life

Kate Birrell captures the atmosphere of the Round 1 AFLW match, St Kilda v Bulldogs, in her inimitable style through both print and image.

I quite like walking…

Walking can be great therapy for both the body and the mind. Kate Birrell has been out and about, talking to a neighbour and experiencing the bush track at Mt Warning while she thinks about it all.

Almanac Roadtrips: Tea in Taree

Kate Birrell and family take the road to Taree, and arrive just in time for tea.

Santa, where the bloody hell are you?

Where’s Santa when you want him? Taking it easy of course! A Merry Christmas from Kate Birrell. [Fantastic Kate! Your art work is an integral part of the Footy Almanac. Many thanks from the Eds.]

A Six on the Sixth

Kate Birrell is a proud parent experiencing the joy of watching a growing son and his deeds on the cricket field, especially clocking a cracking six!

Grand Final – Richmond v GWS: The Day After

Kate Birrell reflects upon her chance meeting with fellow Tiger supporter Sharon the day after the Grand Final.

Almanac Racing – Guineas Day and a Pineapple for Dinner

Kate Birrell’s celebration of a Yellow and Black flag has metamorphosed into Spring racing at the Caulfield Guineas – complete with the odd winning punt, shared fried chicken with the kids and artwork to capture the moment.

Round 18 – Richmond v Port Adelaide: Feeling Good

Kate Birrell was looking forward to a footy fix after a holiday in Bali, and her Tigers didn’t let her down. Kate was happy woman indeed!

Almanac Art – Kate Birrell: Street Rhythm Exhibition 21 May (opening night function) – 9th June

“Street Rhythm” is an exciting new exhibition of Kate Birrell’s recent paintings. The exhibition will be held at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran from 21st May to 9th June. Join Kate for Opening Night from 6.00pm to 8pm on Tuesday 21st May.

Almanac Art: Waiting for play to start at the MCG

Kate Birrell is at the cricket at the MCG on this final day, waiting for the rain to stop, the covers to come off and play to begin. This is how she has been filling in her time.

A Santa Sighting and the Tiger Train

Guess who Kate Birrell saw last night as she sat at the railway crossing in Glenhuntly Road waiting patiently for the Long Island steel train to pass? In her rear view mirror she spotted Santa in his bright red suit. He was cursing away at the incessant ding dinging and the outrageous length of time it was taking for the train’s fifty-five empty steel coil wagons to pass.

A Relaxing Sunday and The Womens Footy Almanac

With long weekends and holidays approaching, Kate Birrell highly recommends The Womens Footy Almanac 2018 as a terrific read to both reflect upon the season that was and to contemplate that which lies ahead.