Almanac keeps Canberra rocking

The big names just keep on rolling into town. In the last couple of months in Canberra we’ve had the Queen, Barack Obama, Princess Mary and today Sachin Tendulkar arrived.  Plus JTH is here for the Footy Almanac launch, which is on at the National Press Club. There’s no stopping the excitement in the national capital.

 

Manuka Oval is not far from the Press Club. Having an hour to kill before the launch, I decided to check out the nets and found myself in luck. The Indian team were practising. I stood mesmerized for an hour watching Sachin Tendulkar and M.S. Dhoni bat in the nets. Plus Ishant Sharma bowling a lot of overs!  I was still buzzing when I arrived at the launch.

 

My vision of the press club was what I’d seen on TV- a big plain looking room where politicians  delivered speeches. Upstairs, however the lounges and bars were warm and cosy.  A perfect spot for the Canberra Almanackers to gather.

 

Maurice Reilly, the manager of the press club and guest speaker spoke about his time at North Melbourne and claimed his most famous deed there was to write  Wayne Carey’s farewell speech. JTH claimed that Maurice was responsible for helping keep North afloat in the 90’s.

When chatting to Maurice later we reminisced about the years North were in Canberra and how things (catering among them) had not been quite the same since they left.

Regulars in attendance at the launch included  brothers Gary(North) and Tony(Carlton) Robb, West Coast Dave and Canberra Cats stalwart  Bill Steen.  I enjoyed meeting ex Freo(resident), now Canberran, but still Freo supporter Malcom Allbrook and his wife Maryann.

A good night was had by all.

Thanks to Maurice and the Press Club. And to the Indians.

 

Comments

  1. Watching a great player in the nets is fascinating.

    Cheers Pamela.

  2. Hi Pamela
    Good to catch up with you again. I’ll be at the Manuka nets this morning as its around the corner from work Ill see if I can get a few pics of the great man
    cheers
    TR

  3. Pamela – what do the Queen, Barack Obama, Princess Mary, Sachin Tendulkar, and JTH all have in common?

    Answer – They’re all leaders (figuratively or actually) of mighty organizations.

    Glad to hear you had a good night.

  4. Thanks Pamela.

    Out of that list, would Harms have the best hair?

  5. Pamela Sherpa says

    Geez Dips , you had me worried for a second, until I read your answer.

    PF- It was indeed fascinating . Dhoni can certainly hit the ball hard. Got a couple of pics on my phone. Tendulkar was giving Sharma a lot of advice about his bowling. Interesting to hear that Sharma is injured now. He had a long workout in the nets bowling and then saddled up for batting practise. Those watching didn’t say boo- all observed the ethic of watching great sportsmen in silence.

    While we were at the Almanac launch the Indians went to the War Memorial for the Bradman. I’m told that Dravid’s speech was excellent. Transcript is on Cricinfo.

    Was nice to catch up with you too Tony. Enjoy the action at Manuka

    JB -JTH might have something over the others with the hair.

  6. Pamela – talking of Bradman, I heard the Don’s granddaughter sing on Saturday night; Greta Bradman. Wow, what a talent!! She can sing off the front or back foot.

  7. Pamela Sherpa says

    Dips , I read that as well. It sounded like an amazing night at the G.

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