Almanac Memories: Che Cockatoo-Collins and Paul Kelly at The Footy Almanac Launch 2009
[Photos by Richard Arrowsmith – thanks Richard]
For quite a few years, back in the olden days, The Footy Almanac was launched on the eve of the Adelaide Test at the Adelaide Lutheran Football Club rooms in the parklands just off South Terrace. These were cracking nights when everyone was in the grip of that holiday-Christmas-Test match feeling. Magnificently hosted by the Adelaide Lutheran faithful, they were all great fun.
Che Cockatoo-Collins was at his charismatic best when he launched the 2009 edition. Here he is getting a laugh out of Adelaide Lutheran legend Stolly (Tim Stollznow) who played many games for the Doggies, was president, and has now been instrumental in securing the grant that will now see the clubrooms re-developed for what has become the sporting hub known as the Adelaide Lutheran Sports Club for man, women and kids.
Che, on fire. With Stolly and John Kingsmill who designs all of Malarkey’s publications.
On the invitation to that event, the name Paul Kelly was featured. People came expecting to see Paul Kelly, the lovable kelpie-footballer who wore the fourteen jumper at the Swans. That Paul Kelly would have been wonderful. But it was a memorable moment when bard Paul Kelly picked up his axe and played three songs. One was ‘Leaps and Bounds’.
Paul Kelly plays a tune.
Paul Kelly with Che and Delvene’s three boys front and centre.
From left to right: Richard Arrowsmith who took all these pics (except this one). JTH. Anne Fedorwytsch (who has kicked on as a sports writer). Julian Morison. Che. Legendary photographer and bush footy writer who knows as much about SA sport as anyone on the planet. Paul Kelly. John Kingsmill. And Ali Clarke (who has also kicked on with 891 Adelaide and now at Mix 102.3 – not that her Grade 11 English teacher had anything to do with it).
Che and Delvene and the boys with JTH and Caleb Hoklas (then president of ALFC) in the background.
“It’s about the writers.” It’s always about the writers and their observations. “It’s so honest. So real.”
These events went on for a decade, and it’s about time we had another one. We’ll see what we can do.
Special thanks needs to go to the Adelaide Lutheran Sports Club who are a fantastic crew. And a huge thanks to Richard Arrowsmith for taking these photos.
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About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to Susan. They have three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
Would loved to have been there JTH, the ‘Cocky’ is one of my favourite all-time Bombers.
Outstanding.