ECHUCA EXCERPTS We are still slightly dazed in Echuca concerning Monday’s game. After seeing a junior match on Saturday on the park Oval, no one thought there was any possibility of big scoring on Monday, for the oval was dotted with small lakes .It was a bright move on the part of officials and players [Read more]
Almanac Cycling: Tour de Bush – and other places
June 5, 2011 by 3 Comments
The Tour de France is an event I look forward to every year. I adore the stunning scenery and it reminds me of the true joy of bike riding. Freedom and fresh air. It was one of my favourite childhood pastimes when growing up in country Victoria. Glorious independence on two wheels. I rode my [Read more]
Football indulgence
April 29, 2011 by 6 Comments
by Pamela Sherpa I’ve just had what I call a wonderful week of football indulgence. Having lived in NSW for the past 20 years I always enjoy going home to Victoria for a ‘footy dose’. When I drive south during school holidays there are two things that I always look forward to and notice- the [Read more]
Seasonal Transitions
March 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The weather is changing .There’s a chill in the air. I’m still wearing sandals and skirts but need a scarf around my neck. Summer was long and glorious. Football didn’t enter my mind until the summer scandals blazed on to the news bulletins – and stayed there. I don’t have a clue who was traded [Read more]
PAIN ,PLEASURE AND PERSPECTIVE.
December 31, 2010 by 5 Comments
Thank goodness for sport. It takes our minds off important things. Be honest, how often have you worried about your bills in the last few days? Not as much as you’ve thought about the demise of our cricket team, I bet. Pamela Sherpa
Gunbower Races 2010
October 7, 2010 by 10 Comments
Standing in the main street of Echuca on the first Friday in October, I ponder which upcoming event is generating the most excitement. Whilst there are several shops displaying St. Kilda and Collingwood colours and footy gear, one shop window has a desperate plea painted on it- “Tickets wanted for Deni Ute Muster”. As utes [Read more]
ALMANAC CANBERRA LAUNCH
May 15, 2010 by 1 Comment
Better late than never they say. Holding the Canberra 2009 Footy Almanac book launch in 2010 somehow doesn’t seem odd. Appreciation has no time limit Footy fever has gripped the Kingston Hotel on a Thursday evening, two days preceding the Bulldogs and Swans meeting in what should be one of the games of the round. [Read more]
Footy: From a distance
March 25, 2010 by 6 Comments
by Pamela Sherpa Wednesday 24th March, 2010 I love my seasons . Swimming all summer long in Lake Jindabyne . Absorbing the last rays of sunshine and feeling that nip in the evening air in autumn. The weather is changing and I sense a change- the football season is on the way. Pamela Sherpa
Cricket: Gayle receives ultimate gift after Canberra clinic
February 4, 2010 by 11 Comments
Chris Gayle issued an invitation to the kids of Canberra to turn up at Manuka Oval at 4pm on Wednesday for a hit and bowl ahead of the Prime Minister’s X1 match, which starts on Thursday. I happen to be in the area so I go along and have a look. Boys with monstrous cricket [Read more]
Off Season Overload
November 27, 2009 by 1 Comment
by Pamela Sherpa The season’s over, it’s time for a break To rest up weary bodies, slacken off the pace Tortured, overworked muscles are screaming for a rest After a long hard slog, it’s time to de stress. Triathlons, time trials, boot camps in excruciating heat Just reading about it, “Phew! ‘I feel [Read more]
Racing: What a fine day it is at the Gunny races
October 7, 2009 by 3 Comments
Horse racing at Gunbower dates back to1881.The “Gunny” races used to be held in the heat of January but last year the date was changed to the more weather-friendly first weekend in October. Gunbower is a small town on the Murray Valley Highway, half an hour from Echuca. The flat plains stretch out on the south side [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Tales of Krakouer brothers and Cockatoo-Collins confirm rich contribution of indigenous players to Australian football
September 23, 2009 by 3 Comments
A keen audience gathered at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra , to attend the recent FORCE FOR GOOD seminar. Presented by the museum in conjunction with with Manning Clark House and hosted by John Harms, the seminar focused on how indigenous Australians have enriched football. Dr Sean Gorman (an Almanacker) spoke about his book Brotherboys, which [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Alas I’ll have to rely on my sister again for a Brownlow update
September 21, 2009 by 5 Comments
A national game it’s supposed to be But alas the Brownlow count I’ll again not see It’s that time of year again, when all thoughts head south. The Brownlow Medal count isn’t screened into the states that the AFL can’t get to quickly enough. Hmmm….? Not screened live that is. Past bed time screening doesn’t [Read more]
AFL Round 22: Bombers charge down home straight towards the finals
August 31, 2009 by 2 Comments
So it all comes down to this. We must beat last year’s premiers to make the eight. Them or us. Desperation is the name of today’s game. The Bombers have made hard work of trying to make the finals. Winning thrillers against top teams but failing to consolidate against lower placed teams has placed us [Read more]
AFL Round 20: There’s no point trying to be calm when your Bombers lead the unbeaten Saints
August 18, 2009 by 3 Comments
After the disappointment of last week’s draw with the Lions I decided to approach this week’s St Kilda game with calmness. Thinking about our great effort against the Saints earlier in the year gave me heart and hope. There’s something called bouncing back and I was hoping last week’s loss would stir us. Pamela Sherpa
AFL Round 19: Bomber faithful left to ponder meaning of football life
August 12, 2009 by 1 Comment
Life is full of surprises. Sometimes they can leave you almost breathless with shock. It’s possible to be gobsmacked and bewildered from a great distance, even when you can’t see things. Events can often defy logical human explanation. Pamela Sherpa
AFL Round 13: Essendon v Carlton: Lloydy kicks goals at both ends of the house
June 29, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Pamela Sherpa It almost feels like the start of a new season. Does the split round harm or help teams? Is momentum broken or are players refreshed? Essendon played last week but Carlton didn’t. When the ball bounces it will count for little. A finals berth is an incentive for these arch rivals. Carlton, [Read more]
Local Footy: Steve Armstrong — a man for all footy seasons
June 15, 2009 by 1 Comment
By Pamela Sherpa When Steve Armstrong isn’t busy with football and family, he’s busy with football. In the city of Goulburn, NSW, Australian football exists alongside the larger organisations of rugby, soccer and hockey. Steve isn’t involved at one level of footy: he is involved at every level. He organises the footy team at the [Read more]
AFL Round 11: Footy first-timer films fan fervour and Fev fever
June 9, 2009 by 1 Comment
By Pamela Sherpa Brisbane Lions versus Carlton 7.10 pm, 6 June The Gabba, Brisbane What’s the best possible Aussie experience to share with someone before they travel overseas? Go to the footy of course. As I’ve travelled up from the Snowy Mountains to visit my daughter Tashi before she leaves I’m grateful there is a [Read more]
AFL Round 10: Politics, money and the Bulldogs at Manuka
June 2, 2009 by 2 Comments
By Pamela Sherpa The national capital Canberra doesn’t have a team in the national competition but it is hosting an AFL game today.Sydney (Swans) and Melbourne (Bulldogs.)Melbourne. The Swans however feel at home in Canberra as they play here twice a year and garnish support from the surrounding NSW region. The politics of money and football is almost as clear as a debate [Read more]
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