‘A century of stars at Merriwa Park…’ by KB Hill

Anyone for tennis? KB Hill set himself the task of choosing the Top 20 male and female tennis players in the history of Wangaratta’s Merriwa Park. In Part 1 today, KB covers Nos. 20-10.

Almanac Poetry: Gough

‘He was a tall man, he was a very tall man’, states Michael Pardy with one of his thoughts in his poem, ‘Gough’.

Almanac Music Review: Paul Kelly – Seventy and Superb

Smokie was fortunate to be part of the crowd as Paul Kelly showcased his new album “Seventy” at the Corner Hotel

Almanac Cricket: A History of Cricket in Woomera 1947 – 2014, Part 1: 1947 – 1951

After his extensive account of football in Woomera, David Turpin turns his attention to the history of cricket in Woomera from 1947 – 2014.

Almanac Literary: An extract from Kelvin Templeton’s ‘Collision’

In this extract from Kelvin Templeton’s debut novel ‘Collision’- the Prologue and the first two chapters – we are introduced to a gifted and determined young footballer, Joshua Shamrock, whose talent and interest in the game (and its complexities) make him the hope of the Footscray side in 1975. We also meet Faye. But what of the flashback to 1957?

Almanac Local Footy: The Kat Trick

It was a thrilling day of grand final football in the North Pilbara Football League. John Gordon recounts what was an historic day for the Karratha Kats

Almanac Cricket: Tassie’s own

Jake Weatherald’s likely selection for the First Test in Perth has Dan Hoban looking at Tasmanian cricket since the Islanders entered the first class scene in the late 1970s.

Almanac History – The Dismissal: 50 Years On

Today marks the 50th anniversary of The Dismissal, a watershed moment in Australian political history. Where were you? When did you hear about it? Who were you with? How did you feel? What were your reactions?

Almanac Reviews: A cracker and a dud to kick off The British Film Festival

Ian Wilson reviews three films he recently viewed at the cinema; one dud and one cracker featured at The British Film Festival; and, Jennifer Lawrences’s latest film.

Almanac Life: A quiet fade – a friend’s quiet battle with dementia and how exercise can help

Allan Barden witnesses the journey an old mate is taking after the early on-set of dementia was recently diagnosed.

Almanac Life: Jacko & Lenny

Tom Cranitch tells the poignant story of a moment at Lang Park, involving his brother Lenny and Australian rugby league star, the late Peter Jackson. Unbeknownst to each other, they shared a terrible background of abuse at the hands of trusted figures in their lives. (Editorial alert – This piece contains accounts of sexual abuse, drug abuse and depression.)

The Bishop, the Nun and the Matador

A poem from Damian Ballasone about a bishop, a nun, and a matador.

Almanac (Book) Review: ‘The Hugamug Club’ by Andy Thurlow

In his retirement years, Andy Thurlow initiated a couple of community-based groups in Tanunda. The Sprocket Rockets is, not surprisingly, a cycling group. The Hugamug Club is more about coffee, cake and caring. This book features the stories of five of its members, all very different from each other but all bound by a common thread – their faith.

Almanac Footy: Wildcard Round? I say bring it on!

Richard Griffiths thinks through the Wildcard Round and calls on the thoughts of a wise old man of footy.

Almanac (Club) Cricket – Round 3: West Warrion v Colac

The Panthers are in the pink again as Liam McCullagh outlines their win over Colac to continue their perfect start to the season.

Almanac Travel: Watch out. There’s a snake right there.

Not quite a dance with the devil in the pale moonlight, but the bright lush tropics of Indonesia introduced Mickey Randall and Claire to some of the more dangerous members of the animal kingdom during their travels.

Almanac Cricket: An appreciation of Ian Chappell (Part 1)

Chappelli has had an extraordinary impact on Australian cricket and here Reject Phil recounts some of his own experiences with one of the best skippers Test cricket has ever seen.

Almanac Life: The Poppy Guy

It was an ordinary Saturday morning for John Gordon until he walked past The Poppy Guy en route to his car. Something demanded he go back.

Almanac Poetry: Ann Arbor, Michigan

What’s in a name? Sometimes everything. Some place names are beautiful in themselves, this week’s poem by Kevin Densley concerns one of them.

Sal’s Preview 2025: Champions Day Preview – Going into the Last Quarter: a Stayer’s Test!

It’s Champions Day at Flemington on Saturday, with unsettled weather forescast, punters may be wise to considering backing stayers suggests Sal Ciardulli in preview and tips.