It’s a sticky question, but for Smokie it’s easy to think of one ‘tightarse’ he knows. Enjoy as he humorously discusses the frugal disposition of ‘Ocker’, a former fellow employee with a desperate need to save up.
Balcony Banter: Oh, the memories
April 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment
In a touching contribution to the MCC Members blog ‘Balcony Banter’, Anne Cahill Lambert pays tribute to her son Trevor who passed away recently. (Sincere condolences to the Lambert family on their sad loss – Ed)
Book Launch: The Furphy Anthology 2020
April 13, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Last year’s successful Furphy Literary Award’s best pieces have been collated into’ The Furphy Anthology’, which was recently launched at Richmond’s iconic London Tavern pub.
Almanac Books: The Furphy Anthology 2020
April 13, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Taken from the cream of entries into last year’s Furphy Literary Award, The Furphy Anthology 2020 contains sixteen of the best stories on the topic of ‘Australian Life’.
Almanac Life: My wedding speech, to Claire
April 13, 2021 by 13 Comments
Mickey Randall married his beloved Claire last weekend. He shares his wedding speech with the Almanac readership. (A hearty congratulations to you both – from all at The Footy Almanac).
Almanac Poetry: Platinum Blonde
April 13, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This week’s intriguing poem from Kevin Densley is about 1930s Hollywood glamour icon, Jean Harlow, who died tragically young.
Almanac Roadtrips: Two great clubs in two great days
April 12, 2021 by 11 Comments
The splendour of country Victoria is often worth a visit; the towns of Bright and Myrtleford are no exception. For Haje Halabi they’re more than worthwhile – it’s a return to the roots, a place of friends, food and the footy clubs that shaped him.
Almanac (Family) Life: ‘Hamilton’ in Sydney
April 12, 2021 by 16 Comments
ER and family travelled to Sydney to see, on stage, the musical which has dominated their domestic soundtrack for ages – ‘Hamilton’. There was a game of footy in there somewhere too.
Almanac Comedy: ‘Mo Goes to the Dogs’
April 9, 2021 by 6 Comments
Kevin Densley introduces an episode of the classic Australian radio comedy series, McCackie Mansion, from just after WW2, starring the legendary actor/comedian Mo. In this episode, Mo McCackie, his son, Young Harry, Uncle Horrible and Spencer the Garbageman go to the Harold Park dogs – KD describes it as “seven and a half minutes of hilarious, nostalgic joy”.
Book Release: ‘War Games’ by Ron Reed
April 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The most recent book by veteran journalist Ron Reed is called ‘War Games’ which deals with his father’s wartime experiences in Japan, and the plan Ron had to honour those memories with one last trip to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The Furphy Literary Award 2021
April 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Entries for the Furphy Literary Award for 2021 close on April 30. More details in this post.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Magpie versus Crow’ – Tommy Mallet
April 6, 2021 by 1 Comment
A battle for territory between magpies and crow is the topic of Tommy Mallet’s poem, ‘Magpie versus Crow’.
Almanac Poetry: Morrisons, Victoria
April 6, 2021 by 2 Comments
This week’s poem from Kevin Densley is about Morrisons, a Victorian locality near the small town of Meredith. Some of KD’s relatives farmed there is the past.
Almanac Life: Another Good Friday in Glenelg
April 4, 2021 by 4 Comments
Mickey Randall takes a lazy Good Friday afternoon cruise around town to eventually reach the Broady for a couple of well-earned drinks.
Almanac Memoir (and Music): ‘Maybe’ by Split Enz
April 2, 2021 by 2 Comments
This Friday’s piece from KD, although quite brief, covers a great deal of territory, including mid-1970s Sydney, the Opera House, King’s Cross, a family holiday, and an encounter with early Split Enz.
Almanac (Photography) Books: ‘Waiting Under Southern Skies’ by Colin Abbott
March 31, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Colin Abbott has observed life in Australia from behind his camera for over half a century. An album of his photographs was recently published under the title ‘Waiting Under Southern Skies’. He has a most generous offer for Almanac readers.
Almanac/Odd Friday Lunch: Andrew Stafford – Event cancelled!
March 31, 2021 by 2 Comments
Andrew Stafford, music writer, footy writer, and lover of birds was to be the guest speaker at the next Footy Almanac/Odd Friday Lunch on Friday 9 April 2021. Unfortunately the lunch has had to be cancelled because Andrew lives in Brisbane which is now a declared COVID hot spot.
Almanac Footy (and Life): A sense of perspective
Patrick O’Brien’s two favourite teams, Arsenal and St Kilda, endured horror Easter weekends on the field. He was distraught but two pieces of reading recalibrated his thoughts and challenged him to take a new perspective.