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).
-
Knife wielding ‘lunatic’, suffering from ‘religious-mania’, ransacked Bulli pub
By MICK ROBERTS © A MAN discharged from a lunatic asylum caused headlines around the country when armed with a knife, he ransacked the Star of the Sea Hotel at Bulli, south of Sydney, in 1896. John Reynolds and his… Read More ›
-
Two true tales from the bar of the long-gone Wollongong Hotel
A BEAUT yarn I recall about a long departed Wollongong pub happened back in the early 1980s during my employment with the now defunct Australian government telecommunications company, Telecom. Basically, my job as an assistant linesman involved helping repair and… Read More ›
-
The true tale of the ‘ghost’ of Bulli pub revealed in new book
EVERYONE loves a good ghost story – especially when it involves a pub. Bulli’s Heritage Hotel, on the NSW South Coast, has been ‘haunted’ by ‘Old Ted’, a former publican, for almost 90 years. Many a publican and resident of… Read More ›
-
Bellambi pub had its own private passenger train to take guests to beach
NOT many pubs can boast of their own private passenger train. Well, Bellambi Hotel on the NSW South Coast, can… The pub had its own train, which took guests to the beach. William Wilson, manager of the South Bulli Colliery… Read More ›
-
The Prince of Wales and the Tyrone Hotel
THERE’S nothing to suggest, along a lonely stretch of highway about 35km north of Coonamble on the central-western plains of NSW, that a future King of England once called into a bush pub and shouted the bar. There’s nothing remaining… Read More ›
-
Boxing champ cut his teeth on Singleton’s Terminus Hotel
FORMER world bantamweight champion, Jimmy Carruthers, claimed that serving beer in a crowded bar was harder than a day’s gymnasium work. Carruthers, after his retirement from the ring, spent a few weeks working at the Terminus Hotel, Singleton (NSW) during… Read More ›
-
Book reveals the colourful tales of Bellambi and Bulli pubs
THE barmaids serving-up the beer in what is today’s Heritage Hotel at Bulli, south of Sydney, must have looked on in sheer horror as thousands of thirsty drinkers began filling the public bar on Christmas Eve 1940. To help celebrate… Read More ›
-
Before pokies and tellies, talented pets were popular pub attractions
WAY before pokies and television screens, pubs had to find other means to attract and entertain customers to their bars. Pets of various descriptions were often used to draw custom, and occasionally the talented animals and the the pubs they… Read More ›
-
Sydney’s blind publican, John Wall had no problem tapping his own kegs
By MICK ROBERTS © WHEN returned serviceman John William Wall applied to become a publican, the Licensing Magistrate had some misgivings, doubting his ability to manage a hotel. Wall, 42, was legally blind, and the magistrate was unsure the AIF… Read More ›
-
Sister Pubs, A history of the Bellambi Hotel, Bellambi & Heritage Hotel, Bulli
TO help celebrate the 130th anniversaries of the Heritage Hotel, Bulli and the Bellambi Hotel, Bellambi, ‘Time Gents’ presents the history book, ‘Sister Pubs’, featuring stories of their colourful characters, a list of all the publicans, amusing yarns, and plenty… Read More ›