Almanac Reviews: Week 2 – The British Film Festival, and one of the best films of 2025

It’s Week 2 of The British Film Festival. Ian Wilson reviews four of the films, including a candidate for one of the best films of 2025

Almanac Teams: Perth Test memory makers

The Ashes are upon us and Rodney Boyd is diving once again into the world of dream teams based on interesting happenings – this one is based on Perth Tests.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Handel’s Father was a Barber-surgeon’

For those about to rock (well, perhaps those who have recently rocked at the MCG) this week we’re giving an encore to Kevin Densley’s poem on Bach v Angus and if AC/DC furthered the cultural impact of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein…Guillermo Del Toro eat your heart out.

The Furphy Literary Award presentation in Shepparton

The night the winners of The Furphy Literary Award 2025 were announced, back in July, was a cracker.

Don’t forget, The Furphy Anthology 2025 will be launched at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond this Thursday, November 20. Always an excellent celebration.

Almanac Poetry (and Cricket): Wide long on

John Gordon recalls the changes that mark the passing cricket seasons of a players years – from the full-on investment of youth to a fading presence in the later years until a time beyond the boundary line calls.

Almanac Cricket: An appreciation of Ian Chappell – Part 2

Reject Phil continues his appreciation of Ian Chappell with an overview of why it was good to be in South Australia in the 60s and 70s.

Book Launch: The Furphy Anthology 2025 – Nov 20 in Melbourne

You are invited to the launch of The Furphy Anthology 2025 on the evening of November 20. Read more here.

Almanac Horseracing: Dunkeld Cup Day – Saturday, 15 November

Dandy Andy presents his thoughts and tips for the Western District time honoured Dunkeld Cup running on Saturday 15 November.

Almanac Rugby League – One more thing: Key dates for 2026 – Updated!

Just before we completely sign off from the rugby league season, here are some key dates for 2026, including the full season draw for both the NRL and the NRLW.

Sal’s Preview 2025: Orr Stakes Day Preview – The FIXture is in – and it makes me wild!

In his final preview for the year Sal Ciardulli takes us to Caulfield for Orr Stakes Day. Sal also comments on the AFL’s Wildcard Round. [Thank you Sal for the considerable time and effort you have taken throughout the year presenting your racing and footy tips, it has been very much appreciated. – ED]

Almanac Poetry: Backyard Internationals

Glenn Butcher re-produces a poem he wrote before the Ashes series of 2010-11 reflecting the ‘backyard internationals’ he played with his brother..

Almanac Books: Books in my life – A reluctance to read

Barry Nicholls was invited to speak to The Friends of the State Library of South Australia to talk about influential books in his life. Here is the speech he gave on Tuesday November 4 at the Hetzel Lecture Theatre.

Almanac Footy Comment: Gather Round is the solution

Miles Wilks thinks that the recently announced Wildcard Round is an answer to the wrong question. By drawing on overseas examples, he offers an alternative framework which may well provide the answer to what he believes to be the right question.

RITV Summer Series – Book Review: ‘Bare Knuckles’ by Michael Blucher and John Connolly

John ‘Knuckles’ Connolly was one of the great rugby union coaches both here in Australia and internationally. RITV reviews his biography of ‘Bare Knuckles’ written by Michael Blucher and John Connolly.

Almanac Rugby League – The Ashes and The Pacific Championships: The season finally comes to an end

The 2025 rugby league season finally reached its conclusion with the third Ashes Test in Leeds and the Pacific Championships finals in Sydney. Ian Hauser provides the Almanac’s coverage.

‘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?