Allan Barden’s ground-hopping in the Victorian countryside continues as he reports on an amazing contest between the Wooden-Hesket Hawks and the Wallan Magpies.
Search Results for: Allan Barden
Almanac Country Footy: A Day Out At Gilbert Gordon Oval – Woodend-Hesket v Wallan
June 8, 2023 by 8 Comments
Almanac Squash: A Potted Memoir of Squashing Balls
December 19, 2025 by 6 Comments
Allan Barden recalls his introduction to squash and his developing interest in the exploits of the world’s great players including Aussies Geoff Hunt and Heather McKay. And the highlight: a fifteen minute master class with a member of the famous Khan family.
Almanac Baseball: Woomera and Australian Baseball
October 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Courtesy of his friend Allan Barden, David ‘Dick’ Turpin returns to The Footy Almanac to share his memories of baseball in Woomera.
Almanac Memories: Conversations around a bar table
October 10, 2025 by 12 Comments
Allan Barden reflects on his time at the Canberra Irish Club and the contribution pubs can make to community well-being and social cohesion. The secret was sitting there all along.[Cracking read AB! – Ed]
Almanac Life: Ye Old Gladstone Bag
July 1, 2025 by 14 Comments
A bag with character, weight and history – Allan Barden recalls fondly the Gladstone of years past, a ubiquitous fixture for gents of generations and one stop shop for the trainer at local footy clubs. [I’m sure my grandfather has kept his lawn bowls in one too – Ed.]
Almanac Life: Hair Now And Then
April 23, 2025 by 11 Comments
Hair loss is a very real issue for many of us. Allan Barden offers some thoughts on the process of balding.
Almanac Petanque: On The Piste Again
March 14, 2025 by 3 Comments
Allan Barden introduces readers to the sporting world of Pétanque.
Almanac Footy (Legends) – Peter Singline: Singing The Praises Of Another Local Hero And Champion
February 22, 2025 by 8 Comments
Allan Barden remembers, with respect and thanks, Peter Singline from the Swansea football and cricket teams, the man whose generous encouragement set him on his life’s path. (A beautiful testament – Ed.)
Almanac Life: Local Hero, Local Champion, Or Both – C. W. (Bill) Darke
February 1, 2025 by 5 Comments
Allan Barden pays a fitting tribute to C.W. (Bill) Darke recognising the contribution local heroes such as Bill make to their communities and sports.
Almanac Footy History: ‘Mulga’ and Ye Olde Buckland Inn
November 13, 2024 by 6 Comments
Allan Barden fondly remembers Maurice ‘Mulga’ Gregson, an old stalwart supporter, storyteller, and former player of the Swansea Football Club who passed away recently aged 94.
Tasmanian Football Days – Some Memories and Reflections (including the occasional rant!)
June 19, 2024 by 9 Comments
Allan Barden is excited about Tasmania entering the AFL competition. Here, he provides us with some personal history, as well as looking into the future of footy in Tasmania.
Almanac Local History – Cazaly Rests in Coburg Cemetery
February 15, 2024 by 1 Comment
Allan Barden continues his series on the resting place of sports luminaries in Coburg Cemetery. Today’s focus is the Cazaly family.
Almanac Life: Football and a dog helped
January 8, 2024 by 8 Comments
Allan Barden’s friend is one of the ‘lucky ones’. A dog, a footy club and parents helped when all seemed lost to dependence. [Contains content that may be mildly confronting to some – Ed]
Almanac Local History – Pine Ridge Cemetery Coburg: Pervical and Terence Ogden
November 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment
The focus of this week’s excerpt from Allan Barden’s essay ‘Sporting history in abundance at Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery’ falls on the father/son duo of Percival and Terence Ogden.
Almanac Local History – Pine Ridge Cemetery Coburg: Albert ‘Nuts’ Renny
October 25, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Allan Barden recently visited the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Coburg where numerous sporting identities are buried. He will profile one each week for the next couple of months. The first is Albert ‘Nuts’ Renny.
Almanac Local History: Sporting history in abundance at Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery
October 17, 2023 by 6 Comments
A while ago, Allan Barden discovered that his great-grandmother was buried in 1918 in the Coburg cemetery. In finding out a little more he met the Friends of Coburg Cemetery a small group of volunteers who look after the cemetery and also have done some research into those buried there. This piece by Allan reflects on the cultural and historical significance of cemeteries generally, and discusses what they mean to us, and tell us. He then considers the lives of a number of Australian sportsmen buried in the Coburg Cemetery. [Wonderful piece – Ed]
Recent Comments