This week’s poem from Kevin Densley is a hitherto unpublished one concerning a former student’s bravery commemorated by gates at The Geelong College.
Almanac Poetry: Billabong Creek, near Forbes, May 5, 1865
August 19, 2024 by 10 Comments
This week’s poem from Kevin Densley is a hitherto unpublished one about the death of bushranger Ben Hall, often portrayed as the great romantic figure of Australian bushranging.
Almanac Local History: Sporting history in abundance at Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery
October 17, 2023 by 6 Comments
A while ago, Allan Barden discovered that his great-grandmother was buried in 1918 in the Coburg cemetery. In finding out a little more he met the Friends of Coburg Cemetery a small group of volunteers who look after the cemetery and also have done some research into those buried there. This piece by Allan reflects on the cultural and historical significance of cemeteries generally, and discusses what they mean to us, and tell us. He then considers the lives of a number of Australian sportsmen buried in the Coburg Cemetery. [Wonderful piece – Ed]
The Queen
September 9, 2022 by 7 Comments
It’s the first day of the rest of a different life for Ian Hauser after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Almanac Politics and Footy: Who else was in government when your team won the flag…and a winner in 2021!
September 20, 2021 by 5 Comments
Following hot on the heels from her last take on politics and footy, Anne Cahill Lambert adds further layers in reponse to queries and comments.
Almanac Olympics: First Olympian almost a hero
August 9, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Edwin Flack is a name familiar to many for his exploits at the re-birth of the Olympic Games some 125 years ago. Harold Peacock has uncovered another who might well have left Flack in the shade on the track, but achieved great deeds elsewhere… [This is well worth a read – Ed.]
Gravel & Mud: Geoffrey Blainey
July 23, 2021 by 1 Comment
Historian Geoffrey Blainey has had rich experiences with Australian mining, society and football. This story is from the anthology ‘Gravel & Mud’, a wonderful look into how western Tasmania approached its footy, from conditions to crowds to players.
Almanac Basketball: Historic Mines
July 19, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Harold Peacock relates the wonderful story of Sidney Mines, from his journey as an African American man from the civil rights conflict area of southern USA to Australia and becoming a basketball legend in Queensland.
Almanac Rugby League: Controversies that never end
October 29, 2020 by 1 Comment
Harold Peacock recalls two controversial grand finals involving Ipswich, one rugby league, the other musical.
Grand Final – Richmond v Geelong: Dreamtime for Queensland Tiger fans at the Gabba
October 25, 2020 by 2 Comments
Enjoy the first of many Queensland-based Tigers supporters re-telling an infamous night. Finally getting to attend a Grand Final up north gave opportunities for photos and normal celebrations that the prevailing Richmond Football Club deserved.
Almanac (Horseracing) History: The greatest sporting contest ever
September 27, 2020 by 1 Comment
Great sporting contests have long centred on Queensland. This is an amazing story of a crazy horse race over 150 years ago in the Ipswich district.
A rags to riches story: Dromana re-writes NPNFL football history in 2018/19
September 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Dromana are a current fairytale story in the NPNFL, having won a Division 2 and then a Division 1 flag in consecutive years. But the club wasn’t always so successful, as Roger Spaull recounts in a look back to the dreaded 1997 season where football records were smashed in all of the worst ways.
Almanac Life: One of those Melbourne lockdown Saturdays
August 8, 2020 by 17 Comments
A day in lockdown quickly evolved into an emotional reflection on Jan Courtin’s parents. Whilst typing out some letters from years gone by, Jan discovered her family history, making the day worthwhile.
Lest we forget the other pandemic
March 25, 2020 by 2 Comments
The First World War, the Spanish Flu pandemic, and their terrible effects on life at the time are reflected upon by Harold Peacock in this timely piece leading up to Anzac Day. Check out details of a live stream of an Anzac Day commemoration.
Almanac Footy History: 1900 VFL Grand Final – Melbourne v Fitzroy
October 21, 2019 by 2 Comments
DJ Williams delves back in time to re-tell the story of the 1900 VFL season, and specifically the upset triumph of Melbourne against a red-hot Fitzroy. [Includes one of DJ’s historical images of the famous Alex Sloane of the Roys and Melbourne’s Richard Wardill. Ed]
First Friday in February
January 30, 2018 by 3 Comments
Yvette Wroby spent a hot afternoon listening to a wonderful oral history project ‘First Friday in February’, a work of art and history by Kirby Fenwick, and the women she interviewed about that first ever game of AFLW. Do yourself a favour…Almanackers Yvette and Kate O’Halloran and many others share the night.
Royal Horse Bazaar’s thoroughbred pedigree
November 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
With the incredible Melbourne Cup all the buzz, Harold Peacock brings up the equine roots of Brisbane’s economy.
Footy Spirits and ‘Palmhenge’
October 23, 2015 by 4 Comments
Harold Peacock brings out the history in the “everyday”. Visit his blog for more insights like this one.
Footy’s prolific Pom: 2.8 million words and counting
June 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Peter Temple has alerted us to this Back Page Lead yarn on Lincolnshire historian John Devaney who has written extensively about Aussie Rules. Temple was so impressed (refer to the comments at the end of the story) he has offered $300 to start a fund to fly the historian to Australia.
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