Jack Grant was a speedy VFL footballer who enjoyed success at Geelong. When he ran away from speedster Austin Robertson one afternoon a wise old Stawell Gift trainer took note. The rest is history.
Almanac Book Extract – Footy History: John Craven’s profile of footballer-athlete Jack Grant
All of our Stawell Gift articles can be read here
Over the years we’ve published about three dozen articles on the Stawell Gift. Check out the list.
At Easter-time Stawell Giveth and Stawell Taketh Away
We re-visit this classic Almanac yarn each Easter (for good reason):
Dips O’Donnell tells the story of his crack at Stawell and what the event and the weekend mean to the O’Donnell family.
Almanac Pro-running: The Stawell Gift Monday program from 1961
Swish Schwerdt and JTH help Dips recover from the shock banning of bookies at the Stawell Gift by publishing this gem of an artifact [a holy relic no less] from 1961. Can you help build the story?
Almanac Life: Stawell and the Hand Gluers
Dips O’Donnell is a broken man. The Stawell Gift is on again this Easter, but bookies have been banned. And, worse, you can’t pitch a tent in the camping ground. Dips can see the writing on the wall.
Vale W.K. Trewick (Brisbane)
The funeral of Ken Trewick, who won the Stawell Gift in 1950, was held in Brisbane yesterday (Feb 23, 2023). John Harms remembers a character of Australian sporting life.
Almanac Footy: Four generations of Spargos
Dan Hoban has a tidbit on Charlie Spargo, the Melbourne small forward about to play in his first Grand Final, and his family’s (and Albury’s) rich sporting history.
Almanac Memoir: 1955 – through the eyes of a child. Sporting Heroes.
It’s 1955 and six year old Allan Grant is living in Balaclava. This brilliant memoir covers all of his early sporting loves – and is a look into the life of Melbourne at this time. The saints, visits from Arthur Morris, Dad’s brickie mate who plays for North Melbourne, connections to racing and the Stawell Gift, tennis, the Olympics on the horizon and a Grandma who only went out with Brownlow medalists. Fine memoir from Allan.
‘A multi nodal journey of discovery through the Wimmera.’ Discuss.
Roger Lowrey recently returned to the Wimmera, where he spent forty years of his working life. This is where his five-day road trip took him. [Beaut pics too – Ed]
Almanac Pro Running: The Bull of Stawell (Part I)
Craig Little tells the tale of Luke Versace’s 2014 Stawell Gift victory – a remarkable comeback story, more than a decade in the making, which starts in Pamplona and finishes at Central Park. [Epic – JTH]
Almanac (Pro) Running: Death of a Friend
Dips O’Donnell is concerned. We all know how much the Stawell Gift means to the O’Donnell family. Well, things have taken a turn, resulting in a summit on Friday night. [Dips at his finest – JTH]
The Brotherhood of Stawell
Dips goes to Stawell for the Gift, a gift that keeps on giving thanks to his father’s foundations and his family’s continuing tradition
Round 1 (2016) – Geelong v Hawthorn: Cats Out Of The Cradle
It’s another Easter tussle between the fiercest of rivals – before it all kicks off, here’s Dips O’Donnell’s take on 2016’s game. This time the new player on the block won’t be Paddy from Moggs Creek, it’ll be possibly the greatest midfielder ever in his second coming & with Sam Mitchell gone West, can the Cats’ trio sweep the votes?
The Heartbreak of the Stawell Gift
As Easter approaches, David Griffin discusses some Stawell Gift history.
Everday Obituaries: John Dalton O’Donnell
I was at this funeral, to send off John O’Donnell. It was a magnificent day. Dips O’Donnell’s eulogy of his much-loved father is one of the finest I have ever heard. JTH
Professional athletics, The Stawell Gift and Luke Stevens – Stories untold
David G questions why promotion for Stawell does not include pro running stories like Luke Stevens
The Call of Stawell
Dips continues the time honoured tradition of Stawell, the gift, family, friends, good yarns.
Almanac Podcast: Front and Centre Ep 2
David G and David P give a preview of Stawell Gift and the handicaps, WNBL, T20 cricket and more.
Almanac Podcast : Front and Centre Ep 1
David G and David P chat about Lucas Browne, Stawell Gift, Les Williams, Bendigo Madison, Bendigo Gift pre-season AFL and more.
Recent Comments