Almanac Gardens and Art: Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

Most of Col and Meryl’s visits during their Sydney trip had an artistic aspect to them and the visit to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden was no exception.

Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 10)

Gumshoe Swifty Taylor’s search for the missing shield takes him to the home of Swami, purveyor of rhyming slang

Almanac Life: A great day for Pie-girl, Swish and all of the Schwerdts

We congratulate Pie-girl on her recent graduation. She now has a Masters of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing and she will be a star recruit for publishers and other outlets.

Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 9)

In his continuing search for the missing shield, Swifty Taylor pays a visit to the big house.

Almanac Music: Ripper 76 to Patsy Biscoe to The Fonz

Mickey Randall buys his new turntable a house warming gift, and what better gift for a turntable than a Bob Dylan album as Mickey explains.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Working Family Christmas’ – James Walton

With Christmas less than two weeks away, James Walton presents a poem to reflect upon the meaning of Christmas.

Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 8)

Swifty Taylor’s search for the shield is interrupted by a call from his mother

Almanac Art: Vasily Kandinsky – ‘Around the Circle’: Art Gallery of New South Wales

On his recent trip to Sydney Col Ritchie was fortunate to view the superb ‘Vasily Kandinsky: Around the Circle’ exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Mouse’ – Tommy Mallet

Contemplating, after a night out, stopped by the road, a mouse crosses Tommy Mallet’s thoughts.

Almanac Literature: The release and launch of The Furphy Anthology 2023.

The Furphy Anthology 2023 was launched at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond. It was a cracking night, with a good number of the short-listed writers and their friends and family enjoying the celebration along with a few of the Footy Almanac crew.

Almanac Music: Anti-War Songs to Disrupt the Madness

Ian Wilson has created a playlist of anti-war songs in response to the continuous news coverage of conflicts televised at his local recreation centre.

Almanac Book Review: Daniel James Brown, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics.

With the opening of ‘The Boys in The Boat’ directed by George Clooney in January 2024, Braham Dabscheck reviews the 2014 book by Daniel James Brown the film is based upon.

Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 7)

In the 7th instalment of his search for the shield, private eye Swifty Taylor casts his net further afield

Almanac Music: Vale Denny Laine

Denny Laine, co-founder of The Moody Blues and co-writer of ‘Mull of Kintyre’ has passed away at the age of 79. Here are a couple of classic tracks.

Almanac Music: Key Grip play ‘The Wheaty’ (and the Barossa) – updated!

Cool Canberra combo Key Grip played a few gigs in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley over the weekend. Andy Thurlow was there to savour their performances. Here’s the updated version featuring the band’s full set at ‘The Wheaty’.

Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 6)

Unfortunately for gumshoe Swifty Taylor, the shield is continuing to prove elusive

Almanac Music: A Pogues Life

With the passing of the legendary Shane MacGowan, Smokie details just how much the music of The Pogues means to him

Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 5)

Down at heel gumshoe Swifty Taylor decides to take a break from his search and goes for a drink

Almanac Music: Vale Shane MacGowan – The Pogues – ‘Dirty Old Town’

Col Ritchie has been a fan of The Pogues for many years, and fondly remembers a memorable performance by them at BluesFest a few years ago. [Like Keith Richards, we thought Shane MacGowan would live on forever but not so. With his death on Thursday, The Footy Almanac reprises this story about The Pogues. Vale Shane MacGowan. – ED]

Almanac Music: In memory of Shane MacGowan – ‘Fairytale of New York’ – The Pogues (with Kirsty MacColl)

One of the great contemporary Christmas songs is ‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues (with Kirsty MacColl). It is sure to get your feet tapping and put you in the Christmas spirit. [With the passing of Shane MacGowan on Thursday, what better way to remember him by as we lead into the festive season than to replay this great Christmas song by The Pogues. Vale Shane MacGowan – ED]