In Episode 2, the intrepid Swifty is short of ideas and clues
Almanac Music – ‘Distant Sand’: A Song Tribute To The Fallen At Anzac Cove
April 25, 2024 by 2 Comments
Karl Dubravs pays tribute to the fallen in The Great War with his song ‘Distant Sand’ inspired by, and reflecting, the ANZAC spirit, and the futility of war.
Menin Gate At Midnight
April 25, 2024 by 10 Comments
Smokie Dawson explains why he attends the Williamstown ANZAC Day Dawn Service each year, and the importance of the painting, ‘Menin Gate At Midnight’ by Will Longstaff. (Reprised from April 2022 – Ed.)
Almanac (Footy) History: Jack Cooper – Courageous Fitzroy footballer and Anzac soldier
April 25, 2024 by 2 Comments
At a time of remembrance for soldiers who served and gave their lives in The Great War, Roger Spaull pays tribute to Jack Cooper, champion footballer of the Fitzroy Football Club. In this moving and in-depth account of a footballer and soldier, Roger paints a picture of a man who served his club, and his country, and made the supreme sacrifice on the Menin Road, Passchendaele .
Round 6 – Haiku Bob: plastered
April 25, 2024 by 1 Comment
Haiku Bob captures the essence of Autumn, player peculiarities and Collingwood’s comeback win – all in one haiku!
Almanac Festivals: Marvellous Melbourne in Autumn
April 23, 2024 by 3 Comments
Ian Wilson found a way to compensate for the Saints’ disaster – sample the delights of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the revitalised city centre itself.
It’s a beautiful life.
April 22, 2024 by 15 Comments
What goes around comes around (or sometimes, comes back up) and for Dips, as he reminisces about his first big travel adventure, he is mindful of his petrified parents’ and bundle of emotions for his own kids, who now choose to wander…
Almanac Poetry: A Very Minor Composer Speaks
April 22, 2024 by 2 Comments
In this poem, the speaker is a third-rate music composer, who in football parlance, according to KD, ‘would be lucky to make it onto the bench in the reserves’. [These aren’t the droids you’re looking for – Ed.]
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Dead Coach (Episode 1)
April 19, 2024 by 9 Comments
In his much anticipated return, fictional private eye Swifty Taylor investigates the mysterious death of a local coach.
Almanac Films: Three Rippers and a Dud
April 18, 2024 by 3 Comments
Ian Wilson shares his enjoyment of several recent screenings at Ballarat’s art deco gem, the Regent Theatre.
Almanac Poetry: Wedding Party Photograph: the Marriage of Lucy Jane R— to Edward Thomas P—, the town of P—, South Australia, December 20th, 1905
April 15, 2024 by 2 Comments
This week’s poem from Kevin Densley focuses upon a family wedding photograph taken in a South Australian country town in 1905.
Almanac Poetry: Golf – 4
April 12, 2024 by 3 Comments
A golf poem written by Michael Pardy while listening to Mr James Brown who grew up in Parkway Drive about 3 miles from the course.
Almanac Life: Last swim
April 12, 2024 by 11 Comments
Mickey considers ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ in life but, in particular, how they apply to swimming at the beach in summer.
Almanac Music: ‘Gimme a Head with Hair’ – Songs about Hair
April 12, 2024 by 163 Comments
Yeah yeah! This week, the theme is hair in Kevin Densley’s long-running series focusing upon popular song.
Round 4 – Haiku Bob: cheers and jeers
April 11, 2024 by 1 Comment
Images and emotions swirled wildly as Haiku Bob watched his Pies win unconvincingly in Gather Round.
Almanac (Footy) Poetry: The karma of gathering
April 10, 2024 by 2 Comments
We introduce Simon de Frankston, who had to be coaxed into publishing – and then he asked if we paid a fee. The exchange is recounted in the introduction to this, the only footy poem he’s ever written, which enters haiku territory in its final lines. (There will be more poetry from him, no doubt.) Worth a read for the observations of coaches alone. [Welcome SdeR – we’ve been waiting a long time.]
Almanac Opinion: Where is the ANZAC Spirit After April 25?
Ex-serviceman Ian Wilson raises a series of concerns he has about the way Anzac Day is commemorated both at the footy and in the community.