Vale Jan Courtin, great friend of The Footy Almanac community

It is with deep sadness that we bring you the shocking news that Jan Courtin died following an accident last week. This is John Harms’s tribute.

Almanac (Under 13) Soccer – Barossa United v Adelaide Comets: The greatest nil-all draw of all time

John Harms reports on a classic game of Under 13 soccer between Barosssa United and the Adelaide Comets.

Almanac Golf: The 98 putts of Foxy’s debut

John Harms has been playing golf with Foxy, a former hockey player turned golfer. Last Saturday they fell just short of a memorable century.

Streets of our Town: All hail the Community Cup!

With the Reclink Community Cup (Melbourne) on Sunday at Victoria Park, we revisit John Harms’s report on the Community Cup of 2017.

Almanac Tributes: Vale Ron Reed

Ron Reed’s column will not appear on our site today. He died last Friday at the age of 74. We will miss him. John Harms pays his tribute.

Almanac Rugby League – State of Origin: What are we playing for?

John Harms says that the Maroons are playing for the Queensland way of life. [This piece was first published in 2014]

Almanac Writing: The Furphy Literary Award 2022 closes on April 30

The Furphy Literary Award for 2022 closes on April 30. In its third year it is genuinely accessible and democratic. I invite all Almanac writers (and readers) to have a go. You still have time.

Almanac Music: Jim Johnson, ‘Leprechaun Lullaby’ and Bert

The sad passing of Bert Newton (1938 – 2021) recently triggered some very strong memories for our 86 year old enthusiast (enthusiastic across all aspects of life) Jim Johnson.

Almanac Golf: Oakey Golf Club – a story of country golfing

Today, October 19, 2015 is the 40th anniversary of John Harms’s hole-in-one. We re-visit the story of the course where it happened, and of the event. [Forty years! Really – JTH] [This story was first published in 2015 – Ed]

Almanac Racing – Warrnambool Carnival: Pilgrims’ Progress

Father Kevin Mogg’s funeral was held last week. We reprise this piece in which he played a leading role:

John Harms leaves home at sunrise for a pilgrimmage to the Bool. He meets quite a few fellow-travellers.

Almanac Odd Friday Lunch: With Gideon Haigh Feb 25 at the North Fitzroy Arms

The first Almanac/Odd Friday Lunch will be held at the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel on Feb 25. It will feature Gideon Haigh.

Jack Styring gets Dog on Fire home at Donald

John Harms paid tribute to Jack Styring when the legendary race-caller was behind the binoculars at Donald, in this extract from Memoirs of a Mug Punter (2002).

Almanac Books: The Furphy Anthology 2021

The Furphy Anthology 2021 (the collection of stories from the annual Furphy Literary Award) is out now. Read about it here.

Almanac Cricket History: Ashley Mallett

John Harms reflects on the cricketing (and writing) career of a classic off-spin bowler. Vale A.A. Mallett.

Vale Bill McVeigh

Bill McVeigh died on Boxing Day after a short illness. He was a great friend and supporter of the Almanac.

Almanac Cricket History: Revisiting Tony Wright’s piece on Johnny Mullagh (from The Age) and other resources

John Harms suggests some articles and books which deal with the Indigenous team which toured England in 1868.

Almanac Footy: The Lions, The Cats, The Gabba and The Divine

The Gabba! Before it became yet another monolith to Mammon, it was a ground of immense character. In his 2020 preview of the Brisbane v Geelong Preliminary Final, John Harms explains the mystique of former days.

Almanac Footy History: Documentary – ‘The Mighty Hawks 1873-1985’

It’s amazing to see who turns up in documentaries. In this case a couple of black type Almanac lunchers in a doco about the history of Hawthorn.

Almanac Footy Tipping Competition 2021: And the winners are…

Here are the results from the Almanac’s various tipping comps…

Almanac Melbourne Cup: The Almanac Trifectas and Sweep

After much deliberation and a three vote performance from R. D. Lowrey, this is what the Almanac punting fraternity settled on.