A letter from Martin Flanagan

When Martin Flanagan left The Age, David Wilson wrote a letter of humble thanks to him. This is Martin Flanagan’s reply. [Thanks Flanners. Welcome to the Almanac. We are thrilled to have you. We love that the rhythm of your Saturday contemplation has not missed a beat. JTH]

Martin Flanagan and a reappraisal of 1992

Adam Fox makes a mighty fine debut in these pages with this piece on Martin Flanagan and perspective. Welcome Adam. And any insight into Frank Zappa would be greatly appreciated.

The Art of Football Exhibition – MarnGrook

Citrus Bob is curating his second Art of Football exhibition and this one will focus on Marngrook. Citrus is currently seeking artists who may be interested in exhibiting their work.

AFLW Round 1 – Melbourne v Brisbane Lions: Drowned on and off the field

Yvette Wroby got her friends together for a possible Melbourne win in the rain-effected match against Brisbane.

Martin Flanagan on Matt Zurbo (from The Age)

Martin Flanagan’s recent column from The Age on Almanac favourite, Matt Zurbo. Matt’s book Champions All is out now.

Sports Writers Festival: The Flanagan Oration

Yvette Wroby happily met and heard from sports-writing elder Martin Flanagan, at last night’s Sports Writers Festival Oration. [Includes link to the full transcript of M Flanagan’s speech, “Sport and politics: the Adam Goodes case reconsidered, one year on.”]

Almanac History: A Tom Wills doco, two articles and some news on the gravesite restoration.

See the Tom Wills doco now – it’s 45 minutes well worth spending. Read a couple of articles about the doco. And see where the gravesite restoration is up to.

In praise of Wally Junior

Neil Anderson, like most Bulldog supporters, was deeply affected by Mitch Wallis’ injury. “Thank God for the Almanac to be able to share thoughts when things are grim”, he writes.

Listening to The Listener

Mathilde de Hauteclocque is challenged to think by Martin Flanagan, Erin Riley and Stan Grant on a writer’s festival panel in Sydney. She then applies that thinking to the week which follows in her roles as museum curator, mum and O’Reilly Fan. Her Kangaroo barista is also challenged – but his is a different form of contemplation. [Characteristic MdeH stuff – JTH]

Tom Wills, Weddos and the scorn of the village

In his confronting and honest post, Phil Dimitriadis discusses his link to Tom Wills, Weddings Parties Anything, The Almanac and his own struggles.

Tom Wills Country or how the legend has taken over

With the ongoing discussion/debate on Tom Wills and the footy origins, Roy Hay has presented an important survey into the practice of history and the methods of historians. [A worthy read – Ed]

Anastasios (Tom) Dimitriadis and the Tom Wills grave restoration project

What has Tom Dimitriadis got to do with the Tom Wills grave restoration project? Thanks to all of those who have made a contribution already. [This is the text of last Friday’s Almanac e-newsletter]

Tom Wills: books, plays, references in works of history, art work

What do we know of Tom Wills? Here are a few books and other works where he is depicted. Please add others.

Martin Flanagan profiles Long Bombs to Snake in The Age

Martin Flanagan has had a significant influence on sports writers and sports writing in Australia. He has profiled Long Bombs to Snake (our sports writing journal) in The Age.

Martin Flanagan in conversation with Bob Murphy at the Wheeler Centre

Martin Flanagan in conversation with Bob Murphy at the Wheeler Centre. [This film runs for an hour and is well worth seeing – Ed]

How the AFL Can Get Back Our Newly Rugby-Leagued Continent

One funny kick and Rugby League finds itself at the top of the Australian sports entertainment industry. The AFL needs to act. Patrick O’Brien has the answer. It all starts with Gillon buying his daughter a Chisel CD….

Short Book, Long Story: Long, Goodes & the story of reconciliation

With Martin Flanagan’s Michael Long bio ‘The Short Book’ set to hit the shelves, Anthony James examines both the culture the book discusses and the culture into which it is released [A piece worthy of Flanagan himself – Ed].

New Tom Wills doco

Have a look at the trailer for the new Tom Wills video documentary. [Worth a look – Ed]

Naming the tune

Melbourne are dormant. A bulb long forgotten. The chances of growth from here are still a long way distant. Their pain is real for Richmond folk. It shares a scary resemblance to where the Tigers were a very short while ago.

Review Essay: Going To The Local Footy

Liam Quin weaves a day at the local footy with his discussion of life in the city and the recently-released book Footy Town.