Jack Grant was a speedy VFL footballer who enjoyed success at Geelong. When he ran away from speedster Austin Robertson one afternoon a wise old Stawell Gift trainer took note. The rest is history.
Almanac Book Extract – Footy History: John Craven’s profile of footballer-athlete Jack Grant
October 7, 2024 by 3 Comments
All of our Stawell Gift articles can be read here
March 31, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Over the years we’ve published about three dozen articles on the Stawell Gift. Check out the list.
At Easter-time Stawell Giveth and Stawell Taketh Away
March 31, 2024 by 55 Comments
We re-visit this classic Almanac yarn each Easter (for good reason):
Dips O’Donnell tells the story of his crack at Stawell and what the event and the weekend mean to the O’Donnell family.
Stawell Gift: W.K. Trewick (Brisbane)
March 23, 2024 by 24 Comments
How Ken Trewick won the 1950 Stawell Gift.
Almanac Pro-running: The Stawell Gift Monday program from 1961
March 5, 2024 by 8 Comments
Swish Schwerdt and JTH help Dips recover from the shock banning of bookies at the Stawell Gift by publishing this gem of an artifact [a holy relic no less] from 1961. Can you help build the story?
Almanac Life: Stawell and the Hand Gluers
March 4, 2024 by 19 Comments
Dips O’Donnell is a broken man. The Stawell Gift is on again this Easter, but bookies have been banned. And, worse, you can’t pitch a tent in the camping ground. Dips can see the writing on the wall.
Almanac Pro Running: The quick and the dead
February 14, 2024 by 2 Comments
Drizzle tells the story of Steve Brimacombe winning the Keilor Gift in 1994, and how the red lane proved to be the difference.
Vale W.K. Trewick (Brisbane)
February 24, 2023 by 10 Comments
The funeral of Ken Trewick, who won the Stawell Gift in 1950, was held in Brisbane yesterday (Feb 23, 2023). John Harms remembers a character of Australian sporting life.
‘Dual Gift Winner Relives The Dream……’ by KB Hill
January 30, 2020 by 1 Comment
Jason Boulton had a distinguished career as a professional runner. KB Hill tracked him down to get the whole story.
Almanac Pro Running: The Bull of Stawell (Part I)
April 24, 2019 by 7 Comments
Craig Little tells the tale of Luke Versace’s 2014 Stawell Gift victory – a remarkable comeback story, more than a decade in the making, which starts in Pamplona and finishes at Central Park. [Epic – JTH]
Almanac (Pro) Running: Death of a Friend
February 21, 2019 by 26 Comments
Dips O’Donnell is concerned. We all know how much the Stawell Gift means to the O’Donnell family. Well, things have taken a turn, resulting in a summit on Friday night. [Dips at his finest – JTH]
The Brotherhood of Stawell
April 9, 2018 by 10 Comments
Dips goes to Stawell for the Gift, a gift that keeps on giving thanks to his father’s foundations and his family’s continuing tradition
The Heartbreak of the Stawell Gift
April 9, 2017 by 4 Comments
As Easter approaches, David Griffin discusses some Stawell Gift history.
Everday Obituaries: John Dalton O’Donnell
July 29, 2016 by 23 Comments
I was at this funeral, to send off John O’Donnell. It was a magnificent day. Dips O’Donnell’s eulogy of his much-loved father is one of the finest I have ever heard. JTH
Almanac Footy History: Footage of the great grudge match of 1950
June 29, 2016 by 1 Comment
This is one story from the history of Australian football in Queensland. Murray Bird and his team are finalising the history with a view to publish the book in this the sesquicentennial year. More information to come. And more footage to come as well. [Brilliant – JTH]
Almanac Sporting Review – Easter Weekend and who has the choccies?
March 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
All the latest score results from a big Easter weekend of Sport
Professional athletics, The Stawell Gift and Luke Stevens – Stories untold
March 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
David G questions why promotion for Stawell does not include pro running stories like Luke Stevens
The Call of Stawell
March 24, 2016 by 17 Comments
Dips continues the time honoured tradition of Stawell, the gift, family, friends, good yarns.
Hawthorn is Latin for “Lucky”.
April 10, 2015 by 28 Comments
Not the greatest start to the footy season for Dips O’Donnell; his beloved Cats are humbled by an arch-rival and he backs the Stawell Gift winner at a severely shortened quote. As the Cats now focus on Sunday’s game against Freo, things can only get better.
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