Author Archives
A journalist, writer and historian, Mick Roberts specialises in Australian cultural history, particularly associated with Australian pubs. Mick has had an interest in revealing the colourful story of Australian hotels or pubs and associated industries for over 35 years. Besides writing a number of history books, Mick has managed several community newspapers. Editorially, he has managed the Wollongong Northern News, The Bulli Times, The Northern Times, The Northern Leader and The Local - all located in the Wollongong region. As a journalist he has reported for Rural Press, Cumberland (News Limited), City Hub Sydney (City News), and Torch Publications (based in Canterbury Bankstown, Sydney).
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Japanese beer invasion
AUSTRALIAN soldiers found this bottle of Asahi beer at Milne Bay, New Guinea, after defeating the Japanese in one of the great battles of World War II. The Australians were the first to brake the invincibility of the Japanese army… Read More ›
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Beer Facts
– Adelaide Chronicle March 17 1949
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Perth newspaper vendor, Jimmy could make beer run up hill
MEET Jimmy ‘Tich’ McCann (pictured). Jimmy was a well-known newspaper seller and ‘bootblack’ on the streets of Perth, Western Australia, during the 1930s. The ‘old fella’ loved his beer – especially upside down. You see, Jimmy claimed he could make… Read More ›
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Evolution of the Australian beer glass
From pint and long sleever, to pot, middy and schooner By MICK ROBERTS © THE ‘long sleever’ was an impressive looking beer glass that stood 45cm high and held an Imperial pint, or 20 fluid ounces. In colonial times, when… Read More ›
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Adelaide’s last barmaid: When women were barred from behind the bar
UNLIKE NSW, where barmaids were more plentiful than barmen in hotel public bars, women were as scarce as hens’ teeth in the pubs of South Australia and Victoria for many decades during last century. From 1908 until 1967 no woman… Read More ›
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Drinkers join the Salvos in Christmas carols outside South Brisbane pub
MEMBERS of the Salvation Army band were playing and singing Christmas carols outside a South Brisbane hotel. Drinkers in the bar joined in merrily. “You can’t sing in here,” roared the barman. “If you want to sing go out and… Read More ›
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Publican blames illegal beer on Father Christmas
MELBOURNE, Tuesday – The woman licensee of a Ballarat hotel raided at midnight, told police who found three bottles of beer in the lounge: “They don’t belong to me Father Christmas must have dropped them through the roof”. Ownership of… Read More ›
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Ready for the Christmas rush
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Opposition publican ‘cut the grass’ on the Blue Duck’s grand opening
By MICK ROBERTS © A HUGE crowd gathered at Billy O’Connell’s remote pub in the Victorian highlands waiting for its official opening – and free beer. They were to be disappointed. The Melbourne Herald reported on June 15 1937 that… Read More ›
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The Battle for Beer
A Picture story: Back from long war service to the old home city that had nine to nine beer when he last knew it, a post-war John Citizen finds things puzzling, tough. He reads that despite ample malt, hops, labour… Read More ›