Almanac music: Stereo Stories Live next Saturday

Footy team not in the finals? Come along to the next Stereo Stories gig. This Saturday afternoon at Sunshine Library. Stories by Kerrie Soraghan, Rick Kane, Smokie Dawson and more. All stories backed by The Stereo Stories Band.

Volleys, Blundstones and Thongs: Life in the Shoe-Wearing States

In praise of thongs, the [time honoured-Ed] Dunlop Volleys and Blundstones. Mickey Randall salutes three Australian icons.

Sports books: Ken Piesse’s Favourite Footy Yarns

Prolific sportswriter Ken Piesse is back with his latest collection of anecdotes, gaffes and pranks from the world of Australian rules.

Book Review: Joffa: Isn’t That Life?

Phil Dimitriadis reflects on the trauma, passion and generosity of Jeff ‘Joffa’ Corfe.

Jim Stynes statue: the photo, the conversation

A statue, a conversation with 9-year-old Harry; observations and photograph thanks to Sasha Lennon.

Looking After a Mate’s Bat

Matt and Russ remember their departed Oak Park mate, Jason “Jabba” Ball. (Beautiful – Ed.)

Round 18 – Geelong v Brisbane: Forgotten Pleasures

School hockey, Marty Ward’s Mum’s oranges, icepacks. They all held more interest for Dips O’Donnell than a regulation win by the Cats last weekend.

Tribal Voices, Better Words and Other Connections

In response to Rick Kane’s recent piece on Dave Warner, the Almanac’s wandering international correspondent, Steven Alomes, introduces us to Tania Mouraud.

Singapore and Me

Mickey Randall and family are coming home to Australia. It makes him reflect.

Almanac Cricket: Tony Dell Standing Tall

Tony Dell is an Almanac supporter living in Brisbane. He played two Tests for Australia. His charity was the matchday charity for last year’s PM XI match in Canberra. It’s important work. Tony features in an article on PTSD – or as he prefers, simply PTS – in the Queensland RSL News sharing his experiences on coping with PTS after his return from Vietnam. A timely and important read in regards to Mens’ health

The spectre of the polo club

The Brisbane Polo Club yesterday went the way of A.B. Paterson’s Geebung counterparts, falling off their ponies to become spectres of the past, when the club officially wound up after having sold its home of a quarter of a century, the notable Naldham House. While the poetic polo club of ‘Banjo’ Paterson fame and their opponents [Read more]

Dudley Street Doggies

Old-timer Clem is a Bulldogs fan who resides in Dudley St. Mark “Swish” Schwerdt tells old Clem’s story. “Fancy beating bloody Sydney”. Not even Clem could have tipped the Doggie’s resurgence.

South: Footy Days at Primary School

Philby takes us down memory lane as he reminisces about his childhood in South Australia and how footy played a huge part in it.

DK Lillee, the Jumbo Prince, and that Young Mum at the Checkout

Mickey Randall reminds us that the child is the father to the man, as he looks back at some of the sporting experiences that shaped him.

The First Kick

Do you remember your first kick of the footy – in a game; in the backyard or in the lounge room? Craig Down celebrates his 3yo son Jack’s first connection with the leather as witnessed by 3 generations. Priceless.

A 10 Year Old’s Trip to The Commentary Box

A gentle reflection about the day a 10 year old Wayne Ball made it into the Channel 9 commentary box at the SCG, and met his heroes. The time and generousity that Richie Benaud offered was the mark of the man.

The Gift of Stawell

The on and off-track action at Stawell is well and truly underway for another Easter. In this unforgettable and moving memoir, Tess Pryor remembers Easter and Stawell Gifts past and her dad, George. Beautiful.

My First SANFL Match – Centrals v Woodville – 29/7/1967 (an Adelaide Time Capsule)

Some excerpts from a July 1967 “Football Budget”. Which just so happened to be the first match which “Swish” Schwerdt ever attended. The Adelaide of his childhood is revealed.

Opening lines of Loose Men Everywhere

People always say I have a deep prejudice against Hawthorn – even a deep hatred. That always makes me laugh. I have the deepest respect for the mighty Hawks, so much so that they are the very first club to be mentioned in Loose Men Everywhere (soon to be re-published). You can order your copy through our crowdfunding campaign.

Melbourne Comedy Festival 2015: Damian Callinan and The Lost WW1 Diary

The Melbourne Comedy Festival gets underway this week and Almanacker Damian Callinan brings his acclaimed show; ‘The Lost WW1 Diary’ to the Melbourne Town Hall.