A charming yarn from John Gascoigne about umpiring under-age cricketers, the perils of a flat hearing-aid battery, and the mysterious (temporary) disappearance of an old bat.
John “Patto” Patterson: from Legacy larrikin to living legend
January 30, 2020 by 3 Comments
Racing is all about people, and one such person is John “Patto” Patterson, Clerk of the Course at Flemington for over 50 years. Roger Lowrey reviews a recent biography of this legend by Trevor Hastings.
Almanac History – January 30 over the years
January 30, 2020 by 18 Comments
The Almanac investigates January 30 – major events, births, cricket and the arts. There are too many to choose from, but Ian Hauser remembers some that left an impression on him.
‘Dual Gift Winner Relives The Dream……’ by KB Hill
January 30, 2020 by 1 Comment
Jason Boulton had a distinguished career as a professional runner. KB Hill tracked him down to get the whole story.
Almanac (Baseball) Memoir: What’s in a name? You’d be surprised.
January 29, 2020 by 9 Comments
American correspondent Glenn Brownstein discovered his dad named him after a well known baseball player of the time. Read his terrific story about the origin of his name.
Almanac Baseball: ABL Playoffs
January 29, 2020 by 3 Comments
It’s finals time in the Australian Baseball League. Brian the Ruminator looks at the form for the weekend’s games.
Wave of jubilation
January 28, 2020 by 8 Comments
Surfers, are you looking for the perfect wave? Patrick O’Brien may just have the answer, an artificial wave pool!
Australian Open Tennis: Courting Kyrgios
January 28, 2020 by 19 Comments
Peter Baulderstone takes in his first Australian Open tennis at the Nadal/Kyrgios epic. Nick lost on the tennis court but won in the courts of public opinion and self respect.
A view of Australia from fine leg – Game 9: Port Fairy Cricket Club
January 28, 2020 by 2 Comments
Country spirit and country hospitality make cricket a most enjoyable game reports Craig Dodson from his 9th fund raising match for the Gotcha4Life organisation.
Aspiring Young Writers’ Group: Modus Operandi
January 28, 2020 by 1 Comment
Ben Kirkby and his writers’ group get together again to discuss Pantsers and Plotters. [Things have changed since my day – Ed]
Almanac Memories: First day of school 1956, Noble Park PS.
January 28, 2020 by 6 Comments
With school about to recommence this week Col remembers his first day of primary school at Noble Park Primary School in 1956.
Almanac Music: Smoky Dawson’s ‘The Hero of the West’
January 27, 2020 by 2 Comments
At this time of the year, the hearts and minds of traditionalists turn to the Adelaide Oval and Rodney Marsh who made such an impression on the nation that Smoky Dawson produced this masterpiece (thanks to Graeme Orr and Australian Kitsch for alerting me to this).
Almanac Teams: So who would the Aussie Nickname XI play against? A World XI of course!
January 27, 2020 by 11 Comments
Here’s the much anticipated ODI opposition for the Australian men with mighty nicknames, the World XI!
Almanac Horseracing – Vote for Super Seth in the All-Star Mile
January 26, 2020 by 6 Comments
Super Seth, co-owned by ‘Smokie’ Dawson, won the Caulfield Guineas during the Spring Carnival. Now you can help secure him a place in The All-Star Mile in March by adding your vote for its inclusion in the final field.
Almanac Teams: Best Australian Nickname XI (ODI)
January 25, 2020 by 18 Comments
Here is an Australian XI made up of nicknames (the nicknames cannot include any element of the player’s name).
Almanac Cycling – Tour Down Under: Stage 3
January 24, 2020 by 4 Comments
Peter Baulderstone adds to his long list of expert commentary on sports he knows nothing about. Now adding cycling to his football and cricket portfolios with a week’s visit back to his South Australian roots to see the Tour Down Under.
‘The Horseman……..’ by KB Hill
January 23, 2020 by 5 Comments
Peter McIntyre played in the Adelaide Crows’ very first match back in 1991. Footy and life have taken him in various directions ever since. KB Hill tells the tale of Peter’s perambulations.
Test Cricketers with German Origins
January 23, 2020 by 39 Comments
Glen! has been looking into his family origins and came up with group of Test players with Germanic origins. (Is this our first ‘creative team’ of the year? Ed.)
Brains versus Brawn: What Wins in Sport – an example from the Australian Open
What wins in the end, Power or Skill, Brains or Brawn? It’s the age-old question. JuneeJunction adds a perspective from the freezing tundra of Arctic Canada.