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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A Christmas Eve encounter: Hope in the outback
By J. H. HEATHCOTE IN the cool of the evening of December 24 a poorly-clad woman could be seen pushing a home-made cart along the one and only street in a certain far-western township. In the cart was a young… Read More ›
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Unravelling St Kilda Hotel’s legacy in Armidale
By MICK ROBERTS © Ever wondered why there’s a pub Armidale, a city located in the New England region of northern NSW, named the St Kilda Hotel? We did, so we did a little research. The St Kilda Hotel was opened… Read More ›
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Controversy surrounded opening of Whitfield’s Thirroul pub
By MICK ROBERTS © REGULARS at Thirroul’s Ryan’s Hotel can thank pioneer baker George Whitford for his persistence in establishing their local watering hole. Whitford was determined to have his bakery opened as the village’s first pub, trying for almost… Read More ›
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The haunting history of Bald Nob’s Junction Hotel
By MICK ROBERTS © A NEGLECTED, ramshackle survivor from our pioneering past, the old Bald Nob inn possesses all the ingredients to conjure up tales of troubled spirits with unfinished business. Under its roof, fortunes were lost and life’s ruined…. Read More ›
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Exploring the legacy of Halfway House Antill Ponds
By MICK ROBERTS © ONLY ruins remain of a well-known Tasmanian landmark on the road between Hobart and Launceston. The Halfway House at Antill Ponds was a two-storey stone hotel, which serviced travellers and residents with accommodation, meals and liquor… Read More ›
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The mystery of E. Wells: A HMAS Sydney survivor?
ABLE seaman E. Wells was featured in this fantastic image published in the Sydney Daily Telegraph on 11 February 1941. The previous day, Wells had disembarked the HMAS Sydney and was enjoying “a long drink of Sydney beer – his… Read More ›
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The true story behind Tooheys’ brewery blacksmith icon
LIKE Victoria’s Sam Knott, who proclaimed ‘I allus has wan at eleven’, NSW also had a famous brewery pin-up-boy by the name of Sam. He was well-known for most of the first half of last century. Although, there’s some debate… Read More ›
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Road Trip: Pubs of Western Australia’s South-West and Wheatbelt Country
By MICK ROBERTS © THROUGH wheatbelt country, to the rugged, but beautiful south-west and Margaret River regions of Western Australia, our February 2025 road trip provided an opportunity to visit a selection of fascinating pubs, explore their history, and discover… Read More ›
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Exploring the Legacy of Aloomba Hotel
By MICK ROBERTS © UPDATE June 2025: We are saddened to learn of the passing of publican, Maxine Dragojlo at the age of 69 in June 2025. Our condolences to husband, Peter and family. UPDATE April 2026: After almost 38… Read More ›
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Exploring Australia’s Oldest Pubs: The 200 Club
WE realise Australia’s pubs have nothing on our British counterparts when it comes to age. However, the debate on Australia’s oldest pub never seems to end. While the discussion rages over Australia’s ‘longest continuously licensed’, ‘oldest pub building’ and the… Read More ›