KB Hill knows his local characters! This week he recounts the colourful life of Ray Burns, policeman, hotelier and football hard man. And no-one does it like KB!
Almanac Footy History – Special offer on Roy Hay’s Book of the Month
July 16, 2019 by 1 Comment
Check out the special deal for Roy Hay’s recently released book about indigenous footballers and their involvement in the development of footy as we know it today.
50 years on – a perspective on the moon landing: An epic journey of biblical proportion, but did it really happen?
July 16, 2019 by 7 Comments
Who do we believe? Michael Viljoen presents his compelling arguments with regards to the conclusiveness of historical events, asserting their believability is within the recorded evidence.
Almanac Music – Aussie album review: Tex, Don and Charlie – ‘Sad But True’
July 15, 2019 by 7 Comments
In the tenth of his occasional series looking back at classic Australian albums, Smokie revisits “Sad But True” – the debut collaboration of Tex, Don and Charlie.
Matt Zurbo and his efforts profiled in the New York Times
July 12, 2019 by 3 Comments
Matt Zurbo and his project are profiled in the New York Times! “He’s Writing 365 Children’s Books in 365 Days, While Holding Down a Day Job – Matt Zurbo’s challenge, named after his daughter, Cielo, is an unconventional labor of love.”
Pub Review Tour: Wednesday in Fitzroy
July 11, 2019 by 9 Comments
Mickey Randall continues his tour of pubs in the inner northern suburbs and catches up with Almanacker ER.
Almanac Ballet – the Bolshoi Ballet performs ‘Spartacus’ at the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane: it was SPQR!
July 10, 2019 by 2 Comments
And now for something completely different: our rugby league man, Ian Hauser, made good on a decade-old promise to his wife and accompanied her to the ballet. And not just any ballet – this was the Bolshoi!
Pub Review Tour: Tuesday in Fitzroy
July 10, 2019 by 8 Comments
Mickey Randall is in Melbourne, and he’s wasting no time in checking out the inner city pub scene.
Rare Book Week – Rare Sports Books and Ephemera (Wednesday July 10th)
July 8, 2019 by Leave a Comment
The MCC Library’s Rare Book Week is in full swing – coming up on Wednesday (July 10th) is a panel discussion all about books and other items collected by the panelists, who include Gideon Haigh and Rusty Jackson. [This is a public event – you do not need to be an MCC member to attend. You just need to book. Ed.]
Almanac Poetry: ‘Ode to jOe” by Andy Thurlow
July 1, 2019 by 7 Comments
Author and ex-teacher Andy Thurlow is visiting the Netherlands and is ‘absolutely fascinated with the way the Dutch use their bicycles’. This poem spilled out as a consequence. (I fear that Andy may have spilled out some other things after the Power’s loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night! – Ed.)
Round 15 – Geelong v Adelaide: All roads (and trains) lead the Cats faithful and others to Billy’s pub
July 1, 2019 by 4 Comments
It’s hard to tell what Roger Lowrey enjoyed most – the dedication of the lads from the West, the Cats’ win over Adelaide or the meal at Billy’s. Sounds like a pretty good trifecta!
Alternative Essendon FC theme song – Do yourself a favour!: Have a look and a listen!
June 28, 2019 by 4 Comments
Check out the rap African alternative version of the Bombers theme song. For your enjoyment!
Pub Review: Three Brothers Arms, Macclesfield
June 28, 2019 by 4 Comments
Mickey Randall loves the homey, English feel of the Three Brothers Arms Hotel, and he loves the music selections, played the way they should be, on a turntable. You’ve won Mickey over!
They shall not be forgotten years. Richmond: 1981 – 2016: An occasional series of reflections on the triumphs and tragedies that made 2017 so worth the wait.
June 28, 2019 by 5 Comments
Stainless confronts the horror that was Richmond’s 1982 Grand Final loss and its aftermath in his ongoing series about the Tigers during those years their fans would like to forget but can’t. So many ‘what ifs?’ in this brutally honest reflection.
Crossing the line
Paul Spinks takes up the challenge of discussing respectfully and responsibly the issues involved (real, perceived and alleged) in the crowd control controversy. He gives us a range of various perspectives to ponder.