Monday @ The Almanac

Ian Wilson is travelling in South Africa with his partner Lynda Harris. He’s been sending us his observations. Read them HERE.

 

It’s Australia’s series. Read our Ashes reports HERE

 

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Almanac Poetry: Dionysia

January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

This week’s poem, according to Kevin Densley, ‘concerns a long-ago summer involving a catch-up with a friend, watching cricket on the TV, a session on the turps and a big night out – not forgetting a range of Greco-Roman mythological references.’

Almanac Footy: Will North Melbourne rise in 2026?

January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Philip Mendes and Lucas Lewit-Mendes look into the crystal ball and try to decipher what fortunes or foibles await the North Melbourne boys in 2026.

The Ashes – Fifth Test: Swifty Taylor in Sydney

January 5, 2026 by 2 Comments

Fictional private-eye Swifty Taylor takes in day 1 of the Sydney Test while wrestling with his memories.

Almanac Travels: Up close and personal in Idube

January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

It’s Christmas and Ian Wilson and partner Lynda are on safari in the Idube Game Reserve part of the Kruger National Park. Compelling photographs capture the essence of animals in their natural habitat.

The Ashes – Fifth Test, Sydney Day 1: Root and Brooke dominate day

January 4, 2026 by 6 Comments

Citrus Bob Utber reports from the Sydney Ashes Test where play on Day 1 ended early due to the weather, with Joe Root and Harry Brooke steering England to a commanding position with their 150 run plus partnership.

Almanac Cricket: Bendigo Bank Australian Cricket Society Academy 2026

January 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Girls and boys aged 12 – 14 years of age who have some cricket potential are encouraged to apply for the next intake of the Bendigo Bank Australian Cricket Society Academy 2026.

Almanac Footy: Collingwood 2026 season preview

January 3, 2026 by 1 Comment

Micky McTigger continues his evaluation of 2026 club lists as he casts an eye over Collingwood.

Almanac Travels: Look Dad, I made it!

January 3, 2026 by 1 Comment

Reaching Cape Town reminded Ian Wilson of memories of his father as he recalls in his reflective piece.

Almanac Literary: ‘The Bribe’ – a story told in ‘Touchstone’, a biography of Samuel Griffiths.

January 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

In this second extract from ‘Touchstone’ Murray Bird and Richard Griffiths show that Samuel Griffiths was a man of great integrity.

Almanac Fiction: Harry calls a winner

January 2, 2026 by 3 Comments

Wayne Peake has written a cracking fictional turf story about Harold Trump renowned race caller until sacked for calling the wrong winner, a bank robbery witnessed by Harold, the apprehension of the bandits at a race meeting, and in a twist, a reward from the man who sacked him.

Almanac Teams: A South Asian-Australian XI

January 2, 2026 by 7 Comments

The announcement of Usman Khawaja’s retirement from Test cricket has inspired Damian Balassone to pick a team of Australian cricketers with South Asian heritage.

The Ashes – Fifth Test, Sydney Preview: ‘Vsqve ad finem’

January 2, 2026 by 6 Comments

Citrus Bob Utber presents his thoughts on the state of play in the lead-up to the Fifth Ashes Test in Sydney commencing on Sunday.

The Ashes – Fifth Test, Sydney: Take your ‘pink’ seats

January 2, 2026 by 2 Comments

Heather Lee takes a look forward to the Fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, where once again ‘The Pink Test’ will raise funds for the McGrath Foundation in their continuing quest to provide breast care nurses to support women and their families in rural and regional Australia.

Almanac Footy: Fitzroy Football Club’s 15 biggest season goal scorers in the modern era

December 31, 2025 by 7 Comments

In another superbly researched look back at the mighty Roys, Phil Mendes presents the 15 biggest goal-scorers of Fitzroy’s modern era (1970-1996).

Almanac Cricket: A History of Cricket in Woomera 1948 – 2014, Part 8: 1999/2000 – 2013/14

December 31, 2025 by 2 Comments

David Turpin concludes his informative series ‘A History of Cricket in Woomera 1948 – 2014’ with Part 8 examining the seasons from 1999/2000 to 2013/14, and in particular the fortunes of the Woomera Redbacks.

Almanac Footy: Carlton 2026 season preview

December 31, 2025 by 2 Comments

How will Carlton fare in 2026? Micky McTigger runs his discerning eye over the Blues’ list

Almanac Travel: Welcome To Kruger National Park

December 31, 2025 by 4 Comments

The wonders of the Kruger National Park prove to be a fascinating experience for Ian Wilson and his partner Lynda as he explains.

Almanac Poetry: She’s a Grid Girl

December 30, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Michael Pardy wrote ‘She’s a Grid Girl’ a few years ago reflecting the image of a particular type of person viewed by him.

Almanac Music: Something’s ‘Happening’ Here

December 30, 2025 by 6 Comments

Happening is a word often used in the 60s to reflect and associate with significant events occurring and is also reflected in the music of the time as Karl Dubravs, with a nod to the long-running series by Kevin Densley, looks at songs reflecting ‘happenings’.

The Ashes: Two Day Test matches! Grrrrr – Rulebook could not hold back!

December 30, 2025 by 21 Comments

Rulebook is not keen on Test matches ending in two days and questions the reasoning behind them.