Almanac Horse Racing: Sal’s Preview – An Elleegant Way to Close

Sal Ciardulli presents his final preview for 2021 with his tips for this weekend’s racing at Flemington.

Almanac Horse Racing: Verry good reasons to keep the faith

It wasn’t hard to recognise who might beat the favourite in the Melbourne Cup, says Ron Reed as he counts his money.

Almanac Books: ‘The One That Got Away: Travelling in the Time of Covid’

Ken Haley’s new book, ‘The One That Got Away: Travelling in the Time of Covid’ is a wonderful account of an unlikely and eventful overseas adventure undertaken when most sensible people were cooped up safely at home.

Almanac Life: Dad and Monet

Serenity is the new gold according to Dips O’Donnell as he reflects on his dad’s life as he found peace and contentment in the twilight years of his existence.

Almanac Books: ‘Heart and Soul: A History of the Lang Lang Football Club 1900 – 2020’ – A review

Bob Utber’s recent release, ‘Heart and Soul: A History of the Lang Lang Football Club 1900 – 2020’ is reviewed in latest edition of ‘The Yorker’ by Trevor Ruddell.

Almanac Footy Elections: Board Nominee Jennifer Holdstock with some thoughts on the future of the Hawthorn Football Club

The Hawthorn Football Club is having a genuine election – for two Board positions. Candidate Jennifer Holdstock outlines her agenda for change.

Almanac Teams: A Real Bushrangers’ Australian Test Cricket Eleven

As cricket season is now here, KD puts forward an Australian Test cricket team of historical bushrangers, as a companion piece to his Almanac post where he selected a real bushrangers’ football team.

Almanac Music (History): Cheeky Beatle John

John Lennon showed a capacity for ‘taking the mickey’ from the very early days of The Beatles. Today is the anniversary of one of his better efforts!

Almanac Baseball – Atlanta Braves win the World Series: one of the lowest ranked teams to win it all

Richard Marlow is perplexed that the Atlanta Braves even made the World Series let alone won it! He’s looking for answers.

‘Iceberg dairy fresh butter…’ by KB Hill

KB Hill recalls his old mate, the colourful Frank Griffin – an old-fashioned ‘stirrer’ from way back.

Balcony Banter: All in the family

In a recent post on the MCC Members blog ‘Balcony Banter’, the Almanac’s ‘Citrus’ Bob Utber chronicled the link between the Collins family and the Melbourne Football Club.

Almanac Life: Work/Life Balance

After a forty year working life Noel McPhee reflects on the various jobs he held over his career as he now prepares for retirement.

Almanac Melbourne Cup: The Almanac Trifectas and Sweep

After much deliberation and a three vote performance from R. D. Lowrey, this is what the Almanac punting fraternity settled on.

Almanac Music: Snooks Eaglin – New Orleans bluesman and legend.

Bluesman Snooks Eaglin is one of the greats of the New Orleans music world. Check out some fine blues from one of the legends of New Orleans.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Finding Me’ – Robyn Black

‘Seeing Me’ is a poem of finding self by Robyn Black from her most recent release ‘No Straight Lines’.

Almanac Books: ‘Not Playing The Game’ – Xavier Fowler: Edited extract

In his newly released book ‘Not Playing the Game: Sport and Australia’s Great War’, Xavier Fowler examines the portrayal of sport during the nation’s war effort in World War I. This is an edited extract.

Almanac Music: Neil Young

In Matt Zurbo’s continuing musical adventures he recalls the opportunity he had to interview Neil Young for his sister’s rock magazine.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Jono’ – Tommy Mallet

Mateship in the bush is the theme of Tommy Mallet’s poem, ‘Jono’.

Sal’s Preview – Melbourne Cup: What’s the incentive?

Sal bemoans the lack of field depth for the Melbourne Cup this year, but he might just have some insights to incentivise punters.

Almanac Teams: 24/7 (1980- )

A handy side is Rodney Boyd’s best of Number 24, plenty of leadership options and a forward line that might leave you with a crick in the neck!