KB Hill reminisces about the roots of tennis at Wangaratta’s Merriwa Park and profiles champion tennis players over the last century.
Almanac Rugby League: Vale Johnny ‘Chook’ Raper
February 10, 2022 by 3 Comments
Johnny Raper, chosen as one of the original Immortals of rugby league, has passed away at the age of 82 after a long illness. Ian Hauser pays tribute to a player who revolutionised the position of lock forward.
Almanac Tributes: Our Caller Jack
February 9, 2022 by 22 Comments
Legendary race-caller Jack Styring has died at the age of 92. Peter Flynn penned this celebration of, and tribute to, him after a Yea Ghup about a decade ago.
Jack Styring gets Dog on Fire home at Donald
February 9, 2022 by 3 Comments
John Harms paid tribute to Jack Styring when the legendary race-caller was behind the binoculars at Donald, in this extract from Memoirs of a Mug Punter (2002).
Almanac Books: The Furphy Anthology 2021
February 8, 2022 by 1 Comment
The Furphy Anthology 2021 (the collection of stories from the annual Furphy Literary Award) is out now. Read about it here.
Almanac (Local) Footy: Thirds in their words
February 7, 2022 by 11 Comments
The pandemic may well have caused major disruptions to all of us but it can’t take away from us the things we value and the places where we find connection and purpose. Jarrod Landells and mates explain via the agency of the Fitzroy Thirds.
Almanac Teams: In a state, twenty-eight (1980- )
February 7, 2022 by 3 Comments
Number 28 seems to attract ‘cult-figure’ small forwards according to Rodney Boyd’s best of since 1980, but it also has some mature recruit talent and a big Sun to change things up.
Almanac Life: Dropping 47 litres of unleaded in the diesel tank at Beaufort
February 7, 2022 by 13 Comments
David Wilson made an error recently…it wasn’t quite as massive as it seemed in the moment.
Book Review: Bernard Whimpress on ‘Australia’s Game’
February 7, 2022 by 3 Comments
An in-depth review of an in-depth book on the history of Australian Football by Bernard Whimpress – (with thanks to Newtown Review of Books for sharing with the Almanac.)
Almanac Poetry: Ben Hall’s Photograph
February 7, 2022 by 6 Comments
This week’s poem from Kevin Densley is based upon (arguably) the most iconic photograph in the history of Australian bushranging.
A tale of two Olympics: The Economics of the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
February 7, 2022 by 4 Comments
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, Tim Harcourt tells two tales of one city – how the cogs moving behind the scenes at Beijing differ between 2022 and 2008 (and also what both games meant to Australia)
Almanac Life: Saturday morning, on the Glenelg North esplanade
February 6, 2022 by 6 Comments
Mickey Randall observes morning life on the Glenelg esplanade and makes some notes for retirement.
Almanac Books: An Edwardian cricket murder, investigation by Gideon Haigh
February 5, 2022 by 2 Comments
Gideon Haigh has just released a new book – on a cricket murder Up North in the early 1900s. He tells us the story of writing the book. And how you can get one directly from him.
Almanac Tennis: Rafa’s tennis is as good as it gets
February 4, 2022 by 3 Comments
He may or may not end up the most successful of the big three, but the Spanish superstar provides the best theatre, writes RON REED
Almanac Cricket: Fifty-five days to be King – the BBL 11 Grand Final in technicolor (by John Gordon)
February 4, 2022 by 1 Comment
It takes a lot of skill for a writer to make T20 BBL cricket interesting and entertaining, and meaningful. But John Gordon has done it. Read his overview of BBL11 and the Scorchers win in the Grand Final. [Wasn’t expecting references to the Boxer Rebellion and David Niven in the opening paragraph – JTH]
Almanac Life: My beer-drinking Norwegian neighbour
February 4, 2022 by 1 Comment
Rod Oaten carried out a wonderful international beer drinking ritual with his former neighbour and friend, Koora, a Norwegian milko.
AFLW Round 4: GWS v Western Bulldogs: To Henson Park and beyond
February 4, 2022 by 1 Comment
Ian Latham heads to the much-loved Henson Park in Sydney’s inner west for the AFLW match between GWS and the Western Bulldogs and considers the changes over the last four decades.
Almanac Cricket: Chopper’s Big Day Out
February 4, 2022 by 3 Comments
Mark Poustie tells the story of a mighty Div 6 grand final in the Eastern Cricket Association (but could be anywhere) when Chopper overcomes the agony of a blow to the Jatz Crackers to at least get himself to the crease. [A fine account – JTH]
Almanac Life: Dawning Realisations
February 3, 2022 by 4 Comments
Nicole Kelly has found a way to fit more into her life while rediscovering the simple pleasures of an early morning start – all because of Dash Kelly.
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