Ex-serviceman Ian Wilson presents his insights about ANZAC Day as well as some thought provoking suggestions as a means for future commemorations.
Round 7 – ANZAC Day, Collingwood v Essendon: Then and Now
May 2, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Peter Butler presents a Floreat Pica Society report which compares the 1995 and 2024 drawn Anzac Day clashes between Collingwood and Essendon.
Almanac Music – ‘Distant Sand’: A Song Tribute To The Fallen At Anzac Cove
April 25, 2024 by 2 Comments
Karl Dubravs pays tribute to the fallen in The Great War with his song ‘Distant Sand’ inspired by, and reflecting, the ANZAC spirit, and the futility of war.
Menin Gate At Midnight
April 25, 2024 by 10 Comments
Smokie Dawson explains why he attends the Williamstown ANZAC Day Dawn Service each year, and the importance of the painting, ‘Menin Gate At Midnight’ by Will Longstaff. (Reprised from April 2022 – Ed.)
Almanac Book Review: ‘Come In Spinner – A History Of Two-Up And Its Language’
April 24, 2023 by 7 Comments
Roger Lowrey presents his fascinating and insightful review of ‘Come In Spinner’, by Bruce Moore, a truly Australian book that traces the history of two-up and the associated terminology surrounding the game.
Round 6 – Richmond v Melbourne: The Uninvited Escapee
April 26, 2022 by Leave a Comment
The ANZAC eve match always start with a moving ceremony. Tigers supporter John Green was there for the showdown between Richmond and Melbourne.
An Anzac Story: The Death of Mark McGrath
April 25, 2022 by 5 Comments
This Anzac Day West Adelaide will honour Mark McGrath along with eight other former players who made the supreme sacrifice during the two World Wars. Michael Sexton shares the story of McGrath’s footy career and RAAF service.
Round 6 – Essendon v Collingwood: Against all odds, we’ll win!
April 21, 2022 by 2 Comments
Everything is against the Bombers winning the Anzac Day clash – which is exactly why they will triumph, according to Michael Pardy.
Round 6 – Haiku Bob: The first wreath
April 29, 2021 by 3 Comments
Haiku Bob observed similarities between the observance of Anzac Day and the decline of his Magpies when he took in their recent clash with the Bombers.
Round 6 – Essendon v Collingwood: A Massed Gathering
April 27, 2021 by 2 Comments
Sam Laffy celebrates the tradition and atmosphere of the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon.
The Muse: Musings on Anzac Day
April 25, 2021 by 9 Comments
The Muse had an Abbotts Lager and mused about Anzac Day and what the brothers Smith and Hutchins from the Australian bush were fighting for.
Round 5, 2017 – Essendon v Collingwood: The meaning of ANZAC Day (Floreat Pica Society)
April 27, 2020 by 12 Comments
An Anzac Day article in two parts: the first, an engaging and challenging discussion of the meaning of Anzac Day; the second, a description, from a Pies perspective, of the Essendon-Collingwood match from 2017.
Creeping Anzacism
April 24, 2020 by 9 Comments
Bernard Whimpress’s book on Australian cricket captain Joe Darling has just been released. It’s timely to return to an essay written by Bernard which offers his thoughts on the influence of the ANZAC phenomenon. [This paper was first published here in 2012 – Ed]
The Parade College Writing Workshop – Jonah Fisher: Anzac Day 2019
March 5, 2020 by 1 Comment
Collingwood and Essendon played out an infamous blockbuster on Anzac Day 2019. Parade College Grade 9 student Jonah Fisher recounts his day spent at the MCG watching his Bombers give their all.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: Round 6 review; Round 7 preview
May 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Cam Hooke could do without some of the stress, but he will always take the four points. He analyses the Anzac Day thriller, and looks ahead to the big clash with Port.
SANFL Round 5 – Norwood stay on top of the tree
April 26, 2019 by 29 Comments
Rulebook’s take on the Redlegs’ hard-fought win over the Roosters to keep them on top of the ladder.
Round 6 – Essendon v Collingwood: Joy in the Ponsford Stand
April 26, 2019 by 14 Comments
Joy in the Ponsford Stand after a gripping game of high-pressure footy. Luke Reynolds and clan were there.
Almanac archives: Professor Rob Pascoe’s speech, ‘The Anzac legend and Australian football’, to the Almanackery at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond
April 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Back in 2009, Professor Robert Pascoe addressed an Almanac crowd on differing views of the Anzac tradition, as seen through the contrasting attitudes of two VFL clubs of the time.
Almanac Opinion: Where is the ANZAC Spirit After April 25?
Ex-serviceman Ian Wilson raises a series of concerns he has about the way Anzac Day is commemorated both at the footy and in the community.