Almanac Music: Anson Cameron, friendship, and The Kill Devil Hills

Anson Cameron’s debut Stereo Story is honest to the bare bones: Rare times, he writes, a hole opens in a life and a song appears from nowhere to fill it, explain it, exploit it.

The Twilight School: Father’s Day Breakfast (at Salesian College, Sunbury)

All welcome at the Father’s Day Breakfast at Salesian College. I’m looking forward to catching up with Bruno and the crew.

Everyday Obituary: An ode to my old man, the Olympics and Usain Bolt.

Matt O’Hanlon’s father was a wonderful Queenslander (as is Matt). In this magnificent tribute to his Dad, Matt can’t help but demonstrate those elements of a sporting life which once drove the sporting culture and broader Australian culture. Those in powerful positions – in government, in sports administration, in media, and even in educational bureaucracy (not at the coal-face so much) – should read this piece. They will see what sport means to people, the level of their interest and engagement, and the sheer wisdom in Michael Joseph O’Hanlon’s approach. Vale Pop O’Hallaron. [An all-time classic – JTH]

Almanac Book Review – Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the Other Thing

Chris Michaels reviews Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the Other Thing by Ashleigh Wilson.

Almanac Book Review: My Lifelong Love Affair with the Swans by Jan Courtin

Keiran Croker reviews Jan Courtin’s recently published book, My Lifelong Love Affair with the Swans.

Haiku Bob – Round 22 – the far corners (A Dane Swan Tribute)

Instead of his weekly match report, and in the wake of Dane Swan’s sad and slightly premature retirement, Haiku Bob has waded through his haiku match reports over the years and come across a highlights reel of his own. Thanks for the memories, Swanny.

Almanac Fiction: Thunderballers

Rob Bath has dusted off a short story that was already dated when first published in the 1980s, being set some 20 years earlier. Anybody remember the extreme sport known as Pigeon Toe?

Almanac Books: My lifelong love affair with the Swans

Those that know Jan Courtin know of her passion for the Swans. Jan has published a book about her life and this passion, based around her Footy Almanac postings and with some great photos.

Almanac Music (and Ice Hockey): The Hip

The Tragically Hip played their last show last night. Rob Chanter is moved to paint us this wonderful picture of Canada, ice-hockey, people and place.

Almanac Olympics: Saudade

John Harms caught some of the closing ceremony from Rio this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see the reference to saudade.

Haiku Bob – Round 21 – plus or minus

Haiku Bob reflects on the Pies tight loss to the Bulldogs.

Almanac Music – Jazz and Me

While Mickey Randall’s own music career was fleeting, once he found jazz he found a love that was enduring. From his youth in Kapunda, his Mum & Dad’s jazz records showed him there was a bigger world out there to visit.

National Museum of Australia – Event: Sporting Moments panel discussion (Aug 18)

John Harms will be in Canberra on Thursday night (Aug 18) for a public seminar at the National Museum of Australia which looks at sport in its social context. The panel includes Christian Sprenger, Sally Shipard, Chris Sarra and Louise Burrows. Hosted by Paul Barclay from Radio National. All welcome.

Almanac Politics: Who was Anstey?

Do you know Frank Anstey and his role in Australian History? Glen! fills in the blanks.

News from the Football Research Collective

The Football Research Collective deals in matters to do with scholarly, humanities-based, football research. Here is their latest irregular correspondence via Rob Hess.

Almanac Footy History – The Galahs: encore screenings of the movie

In 1967 Harry Beitzel took a representative team of Australian Footballers to Dublin, Ireland, to play Gaelic Football against the Irish champions. Last week, Tony Wilson and Rob Heath’s film recounting the trip sold out at the Melbourne International Film Festival. Encore screenings are coming – beginning on Sunday.

Almanac Music: Stereo Stories in concert in Albury

Stories by Anson Cameron and Darren ‘Smokie’ Dawson will be very much part of the Stereo Stories’ first interstate gig. Yep, we’re going over the border to New South Wales.

Almanac Olympics: An Olympic Cycle – The Journey

Our man in Rio, DaveP has been following the Australian Men’s Team Pursuit squad for three years leading into Rio2016, watch an extract of his forthcoming documentary as they race for Gold.

Round 20 – Carlton v St Kilda: From Tokyo-Kobe-Tokyo with love.

Yvette has sent through a sensational report from Japan full of food, family, friends and of course a Saints game with Yoshi.

Almanac Music: Hell’s Bells chime across the half forward flank

ACDC’s Hell’s Bells bobbed up in an unlikely place and was almost the highlight of the season. But there was something better. John Harms explains.