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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War-time beer rationing and a thirsty Australia
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 1942, and by January 1943, newspapers were reporting 75 per cent of… Read More ›
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Jack Clancy once drank with Ned Kelly, and at 100 took his fellow hospital patients on a pub crawl!
IN his final years John Clancy got up to all sorts of mischief – including sneaking out fellow patients of his hospital ward on a pub crawl – at the age of 100! Well, he may have been 100. Contrary… Read More ›
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In praise of the Australian pub
The following story by Ken Schapel is one of the most eloquent and apt descriptions I have read of the Australian pub. During my many years’ research as a social historian I have cast my eyes over countless attempts at… Read More ›
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Free beer marked the opening of Brisbane’s Crown Hotel in 1854
A PUB had sat at the corner of Turbot and George Streets (No. 382) in Brisbane’s CBD for over 140 years when ‘progress’ finally caught-up with what had become known as the Majestic Hotel. The Crown Hotel was first licensed… Read More ›
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Boozing budgie had top billing at Sydney’s Star Hotel in the 1950s
DURING the 1950s, Sydney’s Star Hotel became known for its boozing budgie, Peter. The long-gone Star was located at the corner of Dalley and George Streets near Circular Quay, in Sydney’s CBD. The pub, which was tied to Toohey’s brewery,… Read More ›
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Grand Hotel Coolgardie
THE hotel pictured on this page is undoubtedly one of the finest structures on the [gold] fields. Situated in a commanding position on a rise at the corner of Lefroy and Sylvester streets, its magnificent proportions compel the attention and… Read More ›
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Glass thieves ‘worse than a louse’ at the London Tavern, Redfern
The London Tavern in Sydney’s south was built by Robert Montgomery in 1921. However, before the pub opened for business at 103 Regent Street, Redfern, Montgomery had died, and the freehold was quickly snapped-up from his estate by brewery and… Read More ›
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Striking Lithgow unionist swapped beer for milk shakes and soft drinks
LITHGOW unionists, who have declared a “beer strike,” will inscribe on a “dishonor roll” the names of men caught drinking beer. This beer strike habit is growing serious. There has been an epidemic of it lately. Pretty soon the breweries… Read More ›
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Joey enjoys ‘a drop’ at the Largs Pier Hotel
Young Kangaroo Likes Her Drop Of Beer JOEY, an 18-month-old blue kangaroo doe owned by Mr. W. J. Parsons, manager of the Largs Pier Hotel, Largs Bay, (South Australia), joins her owner in a glass of beer every day-but no… Read More ›
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Pubs of the Gippsland Mountains
THERE is nothing in the colony of its sort to rival the rugged scenery of the North Gippsland mountains (Victoria), over which it is necessary to travel in order to reach Omeo and the Glen Wills goldfields. In fine weather… Read More ›