Author Archives
A journalist, writer and historian, Mick Roberts specialises in Australian cultural history, particularly associated with the Australian hotel and liquor industry. Mick has had an interest in revealing the colourful story of Australian pubs and associated industries for over 30 years. He is working on a comprehensive history of the hotel and liquor industry in the Illawarra region of NSW. Besides writing a number of history books, Mick managed several community newspapers. He has been editor of 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 worked for Rural Press, Cumberland (News Limited), the Sydney city newspaper, City News, and Torch Publications based in Canterbury Bankstown, NSW.
-
Bondi cab driver’s brilliant method of lubricating his Sunday social club
WE’RE an inventive lot, us Australians. When obstacles are put in our way – especially when it comes to enjoying a beer with mates – we can become quite imaginative. In fact, in Bondi cab-driver, Cec Hayne’s case, resourcefully clever…. Read More ›
-
Bungendore’s two Royal Hotels
The Royal Hotel in Bungendore opened for business in 1883. However, it wasn’t the first Royal in the township. About 20 minutes drive from Queanbeyan in NSW, the ‘new Royal’ took over from a 16 room coaching inn that has… Read More ›
-
Publican to the miners: ‘Bold Mac’, of the Murchison goldfields
John McManaway was a famed Western Australian publican, who hosted three pubs to the heavy drinking miners of the Murchison goldfields. Known far and wide as ‘Bold McManaway’, or simply ‘Mac’, the Irishman was said to have feared nothing, was always up-for-a-fight –… Read More ›
-
A Pelican Spree in The Big Scrub
By Jimmie Pannikin* When Gang No. 7½ of cane-cutters cut-out last season, it was found that they had made the record cheque; and to show their joy and pride, they decided to go on the razzle right away in Fourpubbs*,… Read More ›
-
Cornish builder responsible for Sydney’s Centennial Hall and St Mary’s Cathedral, also constructed and hosted Woolloomooloo’s Merryfield Hotel
LARGELY unheralded for his many notable building projects, Cornish builder, Richard Merrifield Nancarrow was responsible for an imposing pub that traded at Woolloomooloo, in Sydney’s east, for almost a century. The Merryfield Hotel, which sadly called last drinks in 1972… Read More ›
-
Paddy Larkin’s pub at Sydney Central Station
FACING Sydney’s George Street, stark and unwelcoming concrete stairs, replace where the Prince of Wales Hotel at Haymarket once traded for over 115 years. Demolished in 1970, the Prince of Wales Hotel sat between Rawson Place and Barlow Street, opposite… Read More ›
-
Feature pub: Agincourt Hotel, Broadway Sydney
THE Hotel Agincourt opened in Sydney in 1897 replacing an earlier hotel by the name of the Turon on the same site. The hotel was named in honour of the ‘Battle of Agincourt’, an English victory in the Hundred Years’ War. It took place on 25… Read More ›
-
The General Gordon’s back! The Pride of Sydenham rises from the ashes
WHEN the General Gordon Hotel opened for business at Sydenham in 1932, “news travelled like wildfire, and thirsty individuals scrambled for places in the bar”, the Sydney Sun newspaper reported. The reason? There was free beer served between 5.15pm and… Read More ›
-
Feature pub: Former Aberdare Hotel, Weston, NSW
THE Aberdare Hotel at Weston, NSW, was built by Englishman, John Champion who came to Australia at the age of 21 in 1876. Champion was coal miner, who later went into business, hosting the Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle Hotel at… Read More ›