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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The Crown is the survivor of Pontville’s two pubs
PONTVILLE once had two pubs, the Crown and the Bridge, to service the thirsts of the old Tasmanian garrison town, where convicts built an impressive sandstone bridge over the Jordan River. The Bridge Hotel traded on the northern side of… Read More ›
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These barmaids topped the poll
THESE three barmaids topped the poll in the Popular Barmaid contest held in aid of the Parents and Citizens’ Federation funds, to provide comforts in schools. The winner was Miss Laurie Hawe, of the Oceanic Hotel, Coogee. Second place went… Read More ›
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Mysterious explosion killed farmer while sitting on Court House Hotel’s outhouse dunny
THE tragic death of Victorian farmer Charlie Dealy while sitting on the dunny of a pub outhouse remains a mystery to this day. A North Mooroopna farmer, Charlie was in the backyard outhouse of Shepparton’s Court House Hotel when he… Read More ›
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Beer bottle ear-rings for barmaids
A new fashion in ear-rings is worn by barmaids at a Newcastle suburban hotel. Carol Munday is pictured fitting a beer bottle top ear-ring for Lili Skafe. – The Newcastle Sun 17 November 1954
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Beach Hotel’s ‘freak show’
WEIGHING a hefty 46 stone, or just over 290 kilograms, “Jolly Nelly”, the cook at the Beach Hotel, was dubbed “The world’s fattest lady”. Nelly was brought to Sydney from America to be part of Arthur Greenhalgh’s ‘freak show’ before… Read More ›
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Kangaroo calls at pub for drink
MELBOURNE, Sat — Will kangaroos drink beer? Should they be permitted to do so? The committee of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria was confronted by these puzzles this week. The matter arose from a recent complaint by a member… Read More ›
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Hen gets ‘clucky’ on beer
Here she is, Hilda, the beer-drinking hen: At Jack Ahern’s Hamilton Hotel [Brisbane, Qld] they’ve got hen which drinks beer — and cat which puts hen to bed when it gets ‘clucky’ on grog! “Hilda the Hen’s” penchant for beer… Read More ›
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Imperial Hotel, Inverell
On the job for 85 years THREE employees of the Imperial Hotel, Inverell (NSW) have spent a total of 85 years at the one hotel. William Henderson (left) has been barman for 27 years, says he has opened between 15,000… Read More ›
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The Sydney swill at six
This is what six o’clock closing means to most men — an undignified stand-up battle for an after-work drink in gloomy, unattractive surroundings. This rushed drinking against the clock forces most men to drink too much, too quickly leads to… Read More ›
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Federal Hotel, Petersburg
Federal Hotel, Petersburg, South Australia The above spacious and commodious hotel, which is situated on the western side of Dandaloo-street, facing the railway station, is a substantial building of brick It contains 55 rooms, with spacious vestibules and corridors. The ground floor… Read More ›