When Swifty visits his mother in her new home, an unexpected clue stumbles upon him.
Swifty Taylor and the Missing Child – Episode 2
April 23, 2026 by 8 Comments
Intrepid gumshoe Swifty Taylor considers his predilection for closure
Swifty Taylor and the Missing Child – Episode 1
April 17, 2026 by 11 Comments
Fictional gumshoe Swifty Taylor returns for his fourth big adventure series.
Round 1 – North Melbourne v Port Adelaide: Rewriting The Script
March 16, 2026 by 1 Comment
Reflecting on a match that did not follow the usual script, Smokie Dawson was cautiously uplifted by the Kangaroos comfortable win over the Power in round 1. The backdrop of pre-season rumblings from the board, that there were no more excuses, seemed at odds to him in the face of the coach’s avowed patience with North’s rebuild.
Almanac Music – Aussie Album Review: Crowded House ‘Temple of Low Men’
February 25, 2026 by 5 Comments
The twentieth album in Smokie’s long-running series of classic Australian album reviews sees him take a look back at Crowded House’s ‘Temple of Low Men’.
The Ashes – Fifth Test: Swifty Taylor in Sydney
January 5, 2026 by 9 Comments
Fictional private-eye Swifty Taylor takes in Day 1 of the Sydney Test while wrestling with his memories.
Almanac Music: The Best Australian Albums of 2025
December 15, 2025 by 4 Comments
Smokie returns with his annual list of the best Australian music of the year. In 2025, he listened to over 130 new albums, and here he presents the best.
Almanac Music: Aussie Album Review – Skyhooks ‘Living in the 70’s’
November 30, 2025 by 22 Comments
To acknowledge the passing of Skyhooks guitarist Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie, we reprise Smokie’s review of the seminal album ‘Living in the 70’s’.
The Steam Room
November 24, 2025 by 9 Comments
For Smokie, the steam room is a place of contemplation. For $20 per month [A veritable bargain, mate – Ed.]
Almanac Music Review: Paul Kelly – Seventy and Superb
November 12, 2025 by 4 Comments
Smokie was fortunate to be part of the crowd as Paul Kelly showcased his new album “Seventy” at the Corner Hotel
Almanac Memoir: Crawford Street
October 10, 2025 by 15 Comments
Smokie Dawson’s memory suggests that Crawford Street was idyllic. Was it really? He looks back on his formative years and a kid named Rod.
The Worst Record I Ever Bought
August 14, 2025 by 22 Comments
While flicking through his collection recently, Smokie stumbled upon the worst record he ever purchased.
The Unions Fighting Fund
August 6, 2025 by 3 Comments
The Union Fighting Fund was recently wound up, and the proceeds donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Smokie was there as a representative of his old union.
The Newport Stars
July 24, 2025 by 9 Comments
Smokie recalls his mum’s brief netball career with the mighty Newport Stars
Almanac Music: What Are Your Ten Best Australian Songs?
July 9, 2025 by 32 Comments
Triple J’s upcoming “Hottest 100 of Australian Songs” had Smokie considering his favourite Australian tracks. And he asks Almanac readers “What are your 10 best Australian songs?”
Almanac Life: The Strand Hotel
June 26, 2025 by 14 Comments
Williamstown has lost its fair share of pubs over the years, but there is one pub that Smokie misses the most
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 8)
June 19, 2025 by 10 Comments
In the denouement to series 3 of Swifty Taylor’s adventures, Swifty has a final confrontation with Max
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 7)
June 12, 2025 by 7 Comments
Swifty heads back to Port Douglas, where he wrestles with his conscience
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