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!
November 10, 2025 by 11 Comments
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
November 10, 2025 by 3 Comments
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.
November 10, 2025 by 7 Comments
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)
November 10, 2025 by 7 Comments
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
November 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
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
November 10, 2025 by 4 Comments
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!
November 7, 2025 by Leave a Comment
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.
Almanac (Irish) Life: My day at Páirc MacUílín, Ballycastle
November 7, 2025 by 20 Comments
Murray Bird recently had a couple of weeks in Ireland. He was so taken and moved by the people, their sport and their music, their friendliness and their likability, that he just had to get his thoughts on the page. This is an Almanac classic. It’s travel, observation and understated commentary. It’s wholehearted participation and engagement. Please, pour yourself a Guinness or a whisky, and immerse yourself in a superb account of a hurling game and what happened along the way in getting there. This is the story of a grand people and their rich history and culture.
Almanac Road Trips: ‘The Long Ride to Esperance’ – a charity ride.
November 7, 2025 by 10 Comments
What a cracking road trip experienced by Stan and Marlene Kluzek on their motor bikes as they made a return trip from Colac to Esperance WA to participate in a charity bike ride.
Almanac Reviews: ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Roofman’ – Film Reviews
November 7, 2025 by 2 Comments
Ian Wilson reviews two new film releases, ‘Frankenstein’, and ‘Roofman’.
Almanac Cricket – WG Grace and …
November 7, 2025 by 7 Comments
Through a fascinating trail of impressive connections, Peter Crossing unfolds his own connection to the great Dr WG Grace.
Almanac Cricket: Calling all cricket scribes
November 7, 2025 by 2 Comments
Citrus Bob Utber will open the batting reporting each day during the coming Ashes series. He encourages fellow Almanackers and friends to pad up and join the batting line up with him.
Almanac Footy: Rookie Me Central 2025 AFL Draft Guide available here
November 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
If you want every piece of information about the top candidates for the 2025 AFL Draft on Nov 19 and 20, download Rookie Me Central’s Draft Guide here. Compiled by Almanac member Murray Bird and Peter Williams with much of the text by Michael Alvaro, it gives a clear and concise look at the talent.
Almanac Rugby League – The Third Ashes Test and Pacific Championships Finals
November 6, 2025 by 4 Comments
The Kangaroos won the Ashes and the Pacific Championships have two monster clashes on finals day on Sunday. In Cup week, Ian Hauser runs his eye over the rugby league form guide.
Almanac Books – Extracts: ‘The Hugamug Club’ by Andy Thurlow
November 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
In the lead up to the launch of his book ‘The Hugamug Club’ later this month, Andy Thurlow provides a few extracts to whet our appetites.
Sal’s Preview 2025: Oaks Day Preview – I’ve Got a Good Feeling!
November 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
It will be another fabulous day of Spring Carnival horseracing with the Oaks Day meeting. Sal Ciardulli presents his thoughts and tips for the meeting.
Almanac Music – ‘Class of ’57’ by The Statler Brothers: My rendition
November 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
RagingBull has been thinking a lot about the Statler Brothers song ‘The class of ’57’, so much so that he reworked some of the lyrics to reflect both his and his wife’s real life experiences.
Almanac Life: Templeton and Cordy
November 5, 2025 by 3 Comments
Neil Cordy has known Kelvin Templeton, who is three years his senior, since he was a lad. Their paths have crossed many, many times and in some interesting ways, including on the footy field. In his Almanac debut, Neil writes about the respect he has for his dear friend and explains that it’s no surprise that he has written a terrific novel. [Welcome Neil – Eds]
Melbourne Cup: The Almanac sweep and trifecta
November 4, 2025 by 5 Comments
Here’s what the mugs at the Footy Almanac came up with.
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