Almanac Boxing – ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’, Episode 4: The Prodigy – Getting Started

Herb Barkle’s career in the ring gets off to a strong start as he works his way through the ranks of fellow bantamweight boxers. Track his progress in Episode 4 of Dave Goodwin’s series ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’.

Book Review: ‘The Furphy Anthology 2025’ (reviewed by Antonella Townsend)

Read Antonella Townsend’s review, published in The Queensland Reviewers’ Collective. It seems Antonella appreciated the originality and humour in the stories of Dips O’Donnell and Emma Westwood.

Almanac (Local) Cricket – Round 8: West Warrion v Colac

The regional cricket season has resumed after the Christmas/New Year break with West Warrion taking the field against Colac. Liam McCullagh reports on one of his not so good days.

Almanac Travel: The National Gallery of Singapore

On the final leg of their overseas holiday, Ian Wilson and Lynda visit the National Gallery of Singapore.

Almanac Cycling: The Tour Down Under is in Tanunda

The Barossa stage of the Tour Down Under is happening right now. Turn the telly on.

Almanac Life: ‘The Listeners’ – For My Dad

John Gordon’s late father was a Perth Scorchers fan. John’s Dad would have loved last night’s win. He poignantly reflects on shared personal moments, and his Dad’s favourite poem ‘The Listeners’.
(A beautiful reflection – Ed)

Almanac Footy: Fremantle 2026 season preview

Micky McTigger runs his discerning eye over The Fremantle Dockers’ list – and likes what he sees.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘New South Wales Australian Football Hall of Fame – Time On: Journal 2025

Braham Dabscheck provides an overview of the NSW Australian Football Heritage Society, and reviews their latest publication, ‘New South Wales Australian Football Hall of Fame – Time On: Journal 2025’.

Almanac Travel: Singapore’s intolerance of crime

Ian and Linda are now in Singapore where they are struck by the rigidness and strictness enforced there.

Almanac Boxing – ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’, Episode 3: Father Jim

Dave Goodwin continues to set the background to his tale about Herb Barkle with particular reference to Herb’s father, Jim Barkle.

Almanac Poetry – Goodbye Georgie: A Sequel

This week’s poem from Kevin Densley follows from one he wrote about George Best that appeared on The Footy Almanac in 2021. In the words of KD: ‘This sequel is about the difficulty of dealing with personal demons when one is in the public spotlight.’

Almanac Everyday Obits: ‘An uncle and aunt by choice, not blood, and how precious they have been to me.’

In a moving and poignant tribute, Sheralee Menz remembers Aunty Dorrie and Uncle Nev, her aunt and uncle by choice, not blood. (Achingly beautiful – Ed.)

Almanac Travel: Welcome to Singapore

Ian Wilson and his partner Lynda have moved on from South Africa to Singapore. The contrasts are startling!

Almanac Footy: Essendon 2026 season preview

Micky McTigger continues his previews of AFL teams for season 2026; this time he looks at Essendon’s prospects.

Almanac Music: The day Angela met Elvis

Not many Aussies met Elvis Presley but Angela did. Stan Kluzek tells the incredible story of the time his sister met Elvis Presley. [Ed: Wow, what an amazing story!]

Almanac Music: Parkes Elvis Festival 2026

Elvis tragics, Stan and Marlene Kluzek had a rock-n-rolling good time at the Parkes Elvis Festival 2026 where their home town boy Charlie Gaylard was a stand out for them.

Almanac Music: ‘Telephone Line’ – Songs Involving Phones

In the 2026 return of his long-running series on popular music themes, KD offers songs involving phones. As usual, readers’ song choices and comments are warmly welcomed.

Almanac Travel: South Africa Reprise

Ian Wilson reflects on his South African travels, offering a series of observations and suggestion to readers.

Almanac Boxing – ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’, Episode 2: The Fighting Barkles

In Episode 2 of his series, Dave Goodwin continues to set the background of Herb Barkle.

The Ashes: A cautionary tale of Baz, Harry and Copernicus

In his Almanac debut, drawing on the wisdom of Hillaire Belloc, Tim Goddard argues that the English Test team has attempted to pull off a reverse cricketing Copernican Revolution. [Welcome Tim – Ed]