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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Wollongong’s hotel shortage: ‘Double banking’ and in some cases, beds have three shifts a day!
THE hotels in Wollongong, south of Sydney, went through a major transformation during the 1930s, following a population explosion after the establishment of Hoskins Iron and Steel Works at Port Kembla in 1927. The works, a few kilometres south of Wollongong,… Read More ›
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Century old Sans Souci Hotel fell to the hand of ‘progress’ in 1921
BUILT by convict labour about 1815, the large sandstone coaching inn known as the Sans Souci Hotel in southern Sydney met its demise after more than a century of trade in 1921. The hotel was located just west of the… Read More ›
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Redfern’s Abercrombie Hotel, Sydney’s beer shortages and Richmond beer
By MICK ROBERTS © DURING World War II limits were placed on beer production in Australia, requiring breweries to reduce their output by two-thirds. Rationing of beer came into force in March 1943, and by January 1943, newspapers were reporting… Read More ›
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Originally a general store built in the 1840s, Maitland’s former Royal Hotel was licensed to sell liquor in 1872
THE old Royal Hotel at West Maitland was established in 1872. However, the former pub is much older, built in the 1840s as Dickson’s general store. First licensed in 1872 by Henry Hook, and known as Hook’s Family Hotel, it… Read More ›
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Road trip: Pubs of NSW Central Tablelands
By MICK ROBERTS © THERE were lessons to be learnt from our road trip to the central tablelands of NSW. And what was one of those lessons? Bush pubs are as diverse as the publicans behind their bars. Our road… Read More ›
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Ned Kelly’s not on the roll!
The Glenrowan Hotel, Glenrowan, Victoria posted an absolute gem on their Facebook Page in 2019: “Does The Australian Electoral Commission know something we don’t , if you see him wandering about could you inform him that he has mail at… Read More ›
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Perth’s Court Hotel & the O’Briens
Bartholomew Cornelius O’Brien managed the Court Hotel at the corner of Beaufort and James streets Perth for over 35 years, first taking the reins in 1903. After his death in 1938, his sons took control, resulting in the O’Brien family… Read More ›
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George Adams’ Tattersall’s Hotel & his magnificent marble bar
By MICK ROBERTS © FROM a humble innkeeper on the NSW South Coast with a keen interest in horse racing, to one of Australia’s wealthiest businessmen, the story of George Adams centres firmly on Sydney’s Tattersalls Hotel. Having a punt… Read More ›
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The ‘sign-board’ banter between Chippendale’s Broadway Hotel and Barnabas Church
The priest and the publican By MICK ROBERTS © THE friendly contest of chaffing – perfected and usually kept within the bar-room – spilled outside onto one of Sydney’s busiest streets during the 1980s. Chaffing – the pleasure of teasing… Read More ›
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Robert Tooth and Brisbane’s Bulimba Brewery
The Bulimba Brewery was established in 1882 by Robert Tooth, founder of the famous Kent Brewery in Sydney. The Queensland brewery was built on the east bank of the Brisbane River, near the ferry. However, the famous brewer, recognised for… Read More ›