Damian Balassone immortalises the great Aussie cricketer Travis Head in verse.
Mystery Pub: Permission to Pretend
January 6, 2026 by 4 Comments
In an untainted nook in which we they fleetingly pause time, Mickey Randall and Claire spend a ‘mystery pub’ evening at the Rockford Hotel in Adelaide.
Almanac Life: Back at the `Nac. (A Farewell to Keith)
January 6, 2026 by 10 Comments
During The Footy Almanac’s first decade, Jamie Simmons became one of our most popular writers. And then he disappeared. He explains what happened… [Welcome back, Igor – Eds]
Almanac Literary: – ‘The Marvellous Cup’: a story told in ‘Touchstone’, a biography of Samuel Griffiths.
January 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
In this third extract from ‘Touchstone’ Murray Bird and Richard Griffiths, ‘The Marvellous Cup’ looks at the world of racing in Australia in 1890, and in particular the Melbourne Cup.
Almanac Poetry: Dionysia
January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This week’s poem, according to Kevin Densley, ‘concerns a long-ago summer involving a catch-up with a friend, watching cricket on the TV, a session on the turps and a big night out – not forgetting a range of Greco-Roman mythological references.’
Almanac Travels: Up close and personal in Idube
January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
It’s Christmas and Ian Wilson and partner Lynda are on safari in the Idube Game Reserve part of the Kruger National Park. Compelling photographs capture the essence of animals in their natural habitat.
Almanac Travels: Look Dad, I made it!
January 3, 2026 by 1 Comment
Reaching Cape Town reminded Ian Wilson of memories of his father as he recalls in his reflective piece.
Almanac Literary: ‘The Bribe’ – a story told in ‘Touchstone’, a biography of Samuel Griffiths.
January 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
In this second extract from ‘Touchstone’ Murray Bird and Richard Griffiths show that Samuel Griffiths was a man of great integrity.
Almanac Travel: Welcome To Kruger National Park
December 31, 2025 by 4 Comments
The wonders of the Kruger National Park prove to be a fascinating experience for Ian Wilson and his partner Lynda as he explains.
Almanac Poetry: She’s a Grid Girl
December 30, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Michael Pardy wrote ‘She’s a Grid Girl’ a few years ago reflecting the image of a particular type of person viewed by him.
‘G, what happened Melbourne?
December 29, 2025 by 4 Comments
Times change and with it experiences – from Test cricket, to the footy and public transport, shunt gives his thoughts on recent times in Melbourne
Almanac Travel: Soweto and Constitution Hill
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
In one of the greatest days of travel that he has experienced, Ian Wilson takes a tour of Soweto
The Ashes – Fourth Test, Melbourne (the day formerly known as) Day 3: Courage, the scarred tree and sick sheep
December 28, 2025 by 3 Comments
Undeterred by the fact he’d bought tickets to Day 3 of The Boxing Day Ashes Test months ago, David Wilson decides to make the pilgrimage, on his bike, to the MCG regardless. Along the way David takes in the sights and the sounds, the history, and the culturally significant of specific areas along the route as he makes his way to the MCG. [Cracking read ER! – Ed]
Almanac Travel: Jo-Burg’s Monster Mall
December 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Ian Wilson and partner Lynda are catching the sights in Johannesburg in the first stage of their trip to Africa.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Working Family Christmas’ – James Walton
December 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we reprise James Walton’s poem which reflects upon the meaning of Christmas.
Almanac (Poetic) Life: Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025 by 6 Comments
This beaut little poem from John Gordon will touch those who are tallying up the years. As we reprise it three years down the track, John’s poem also encourages us to contemplate what John Harms calls ‘the simplicity and complexity’ of the Christmas season.
Almanac Reviews: ‘Serendipity’, Christmas movie?
December 23, 2025 by 1 Comment
RagingBull reviews the 2001 feel good movie ‘Serendipity’, a movie he believes should be considered a Christmas movie, and one he likes.
Almanac Fiction: Harry calls a winner
Wayne Peake has written a cracking fictional turf story about Harold Trump renowned race caller until sacked for calling the wrong winner, a bank robbery witnessed by Harold, the apprehension of the bandits at a race meeting, and in a twist, a reward from the man who sacked him.