Chris O’Callaghan remembers the time when he fell in love with cricket, and his Dad’s part in it, and how he soon became obsessed. [Welcome Chris – Eds]
Almanac Memoir: Queer, Sultry Summer
December 8, 2025 by 32 Comments
John Lennon was shot dead forty-five years ago today, December 8. In this previously unpublished short memoir by Kevin Densley (possibly the first chapter of a book-length work, he says), he paints a vivid picture of the impact upon him of Lennon’s murder on the day – combined with a portrayal of central Melbourne in 1980, and other issues in his own life around that time. [A few names of actual people involved have been changed – Ed.]
Almanac Books: Books in my life – A reluctance to read
November 14, 2025 by 14 Comments
Barry Nicholls was invited to speak to The Friends of the State Library of South Australia to talk about influential books in his life. Here is the speech he gave on Tuesday November 4 at the Hetzel Lecture Theatre.
Almanac memories: Arthur Ashe’s Autograph
October 28, 2025 by 4 Comments
Ian Wilson recalls the time he obtained tennis great Arthur Ashe’s autograph.
Almanac Horseracing (Memoir): Confessions of a teenage racegoer of the 1970s
October 10, 2025 by 6 Comments
Wayne Peake takes us on a journey recalling his initial attraction to, and later fascination and obsession with, the punt! It’s a slippery slope… (Welcome aboard, Wayne, some superb stories here – Ed.)
Almanac Memories: Conversations around a bar table
October 10, 2025 by 12 Comments
Allan Barden reflects on his time at the Canberra Irish Club and the contribution pubs can make to community well-being and social cohesion. The secret was sitting there all along.[Cracking read AB! – Ed]
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.
Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Eye of the Dragonfly,: My Life Seeing the World Through Sport’ – Tracey Lee Holmes
October 1, 2025 by 3 Comments
Sports journalist and commentator Tracey Holmes has published a book looking at life through her career in sports, ‘The Eye of the Dragonfly: My Life Seeing the World Through Sport’. Roy Hay reviews Tracey’s book.
Almanac Podcasts: ‘Rambling’ – Where good blokes meet great conversation
September 10, 2025 by 2 Comments
‘Rambling’ is a new podcast produced by good mates Scott Hunt and Brian Hine. Here, Scott describes the genesis of their podcast, and invites Almanackers to take a listen.
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.
Almanac Family History: James ‘Dun’ Hay – Captain of Celtic, Ayr United, Newcastle United and Scotland, and other stories
August 6, 2025 by 4 Comments
Members of Roy Hay’s family are remembered in three biographies including his grandfather Scottish soccer legend James Dun Hay and his incredible career.
The Newport Stars
July 24, 2025 by 9 Comments
Smokie recalls his mum’s brief netball career with the mighty Newport Stars
Almanac Life: The Whitburn Coincidence
July 10, 2025 by 4 Comments
Talk about coincidences – an old cricket photo, a funeral in Perth, the musical ‘Hamilton’, the Whitburn Cricket Club in the UK, and more are linked together as explained by John Gordon.
Almanac Life: Ye Old Gladstone Bag
July 1, 2025 by 14 Comments
A bag with character, weight and history – Allan Barden recalls fondly the Gladstone of years past, a ubiquitous fixture for gents of generations and one stop shop for the trainer at local footy clubs. [I’m sure my grandfather has kept his lawn bowls in one too – Ed.]
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 Life: Share a memory
June 24, 2025 by 6 Comments
At the recent Poets’Lunch discussion about the power of family stories and how they are easily lost when a member dies was raised. Readers are invited to commit to print an early memory to share on the site. Col Ritchie starts the ball rolling and shares an early memory.
Almanac Golf: The Last Golf Game
June 12, 2025 by 17 Comments
Smokie reveals that he has not played golf in thirty years, and that his last game was at Oakmont in Pittsburgh, home of numerous US Opens, and one of the toughest golf courses on the planet. [The Footy Almanac reprises Smokie’s cracking golf piece playing the course the US Open will be played on this week. – Ed]
Recent Comments