Growing Old Gracefully may be a euphemism, with the connotation “Showing signs of ageing, but still powering forward with life” being a positive one, but at times Jan Courtin simply refuses to believe that a mere statistic, telling her the number of years that she’s been around, matters at all! It doesn’t!
Almanac Art: Waiting for play to start at the MCG
December 30, 2018 by 4 Comments
Kate Birrell is at the cricket at the MCG on this final day, waiting for the rain to stop, the covers to come off and play to begin. This is how she has been filling in her time.
Almanac Art: Kendra Heil’s painting goes to Susan Alberti
December 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Kendra Heil’s painting of Hannah Scott has been auctioned. The successful bidder was Susan Alberti.
Vale, my first true love…
December 27, 2018 by 18 Comments
The first flush of young love consumes you, body and soul writes Earl O’Neill. Movingly, he reflects on the life of that young love Wendy who recently lost her battle with cancer.
Simon Phillips – Flipper, you’re a ripper!
December 26, 2018 by 33 Comments
Rulebook bids a fond farewell (as a Norwood footballer) to one of the most exciting players to pull on the red socks in the club’s recent history
A Santa Sighting and the Tiger Train
December 21, 2018 by 4 Comments
Guess who Kate Birrell saw last night as she sat at the railway crossing in Glenhuntly Road waiting patiently for the Long Island steel train to pass? In her rear view mirror she spotted Santa in his bright red suit. He was cursing away at the incessant ding dinging and the outrageous length of time it was taking for the train’s fifty-five empty steel coil wagons to pass.
Plenty of practice and empty heads – Part 12: Drafting predators
December 20, 2018 by 6 Comments
A bit of John Lennon, a bit of Michael Clarke, a bit of IVA Richards and some theories of McGilchrist and Panksepp all make this piece, on predators and prey, in a sporting context, much food for thought.
Almanac Art: Nick Howson
December 19, 2018 by 5 Comments
Nick Howson’s paintings are held in prominent Australian collections. His art is best known for its sporting and historical themes. Check out some of Nick’s art here.
‘Fired by passion…..’ – by Simone Kerwin, courtesy of KB Hill
December 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
KB Hill recently invited Simone Kerwin to tell the tale of Wangaratta’s Julian Corboy, master farrier.
Pub Review: The Cumberland, Glanville
December 18, 2018 by 3 Comments
So, if you’ve a raging thirst, or you want to hear one, then this pub is right there. And, should you wish, you can catch a train. Mickey Randall reviews The Cumberland Hotel in Glanville.
‘…..SPUD……….’ – KB Hill
December 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment
There’s no stopping KB Hill. This time he profiles a real character from Wangaratta – Renato Leonardo Patat, better known as ‘Spud’. Comparisons with Nino Culotta aren’t far off the mark!
Mickey Randall and an Almanac SA pub crawl: a gestating idea
December 10, 2018 by 21 Comments
We think connoisseur Mickey Randall is the perfect person to organise a South Australian pub crawl. He just needs some suggestions regarding itinerary. The principal criterion is heartfelt connection to the pub in question.
Almanac Books – ‘The Animator – a street art fable’ by Peter Warrington and Rachel Williams.
December 6, 2018 by 1 Comment
Peter Warrington and Rachel Williams of ‘Not Quite Newtown’ have a new publication – ‘The Animator – a street art fable’. Inner western Sydney, street art, story-telling and mystery come together in this colourful production.
A Tribute to Lindy Burns
December 5, 2018 by 26 Comments
The “other” Luke from Colac shares some memories of ABC radio superstar, Lindy Burns, as she winds up the current phase of her broadcast career after well over a decade of capturing the hearts and minds of Victorians via the wireless.
Almanac Music: Songs of the Wimmera
December 4, 2018 by 6 Comments
Alex Darling is looking to put together a list of songs about/artists from the Wimmera region. Can anyone help him out? All suggestions welcome.
Almanac Art: Nick Howson’s Footy Cards
December 4, 2018 by 4 Comments
Nick Howson has produced a set of 12 cards of the early VFL clubs in their original colours with a small booklet on the history of the clubs’ names.
Old Golfers
November 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
A windy in the shrubbery may not always be detected, a score is only deemed to count if the stroke connected.
The Rhymer extols the virtues of the ageing golfer, something many will identify with! Fore!
Almanac Football – Most Improved and Most Dedicated for the Osaka Dingoes
The AFL’s keenest Japanese fan, Yoshi, tells us about his first year with the code – and how he came up trumps at the Osaka Dingoes’ end of season awards. Well done, Yoshi, and congratulations from all at The Almanac.