Read more adventures of Wayne Peak and Ton Currie and The Yobboes as they bumble their way to The Cup.
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]
Almanac Footy: Pride – Otway Districts FC 125th Year Celebrations Saturday 26 April
April 25, 2025 by 5 Comments
Otway Districts FNC is celebrating 125 years of football in the ranges this Saturday. It will be huge! Past players coming from everywhere. In honour of the occasion, Old Dog takes the time to talk to one of its best ever, his former teammate, Sammy Harriott, about what it means to play for the mighty Demons.
Almanac Life: Hair Now And Then
April 23, 2025 by 11 Comments
Hair loss is a very real issue for many of us. Allan Barden offers some thoughts on the process of balding.
Almanac Travel: Travel Shorts NYC #6
April 21, 2025 by 2 Comments
With the 6th Edition of his ‘New York City Travel Shorts’, Ian Wilson and Lynda explore the exciting sights and sounds of Broadway, Central Park and The Guggenheim.
Almanac Illness: Fever
April 18, 2025 by 14 Comments
An ill Dips O’Donnell while reclining on the couch his fevered mind recalls images and words of advice from uncles years ago.
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