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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Esplanade Hotel, Brighton: From pub to guesthouse, and back to pub
SITTING at the foot of Brighton’s famous jetty, the Esplanade Hotel was originally a grand two storey building with a curved front, a dome and iron lace decorated balconies. Originally built as a hotel in the coastal suburb of Adelaide,… Read More ›
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Fruitless poker machines
As poker machines crept their way into the public bars of Australian pubs in the 1930s, the great debate (which continues to this day) and our fascination with the ‘one-armed-bandits’ was ignited. The Sydney Arrow reported on Friday April 8… Read More ›
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Tiny pubs: The Territory’s ‘Dolly Pot’ had a bar 1.2 metres long!
ONE of Australia’s smallest hotels was said to be at Allendale, near Ballarat in Victoria. The pub measured 8 yards [7.3 metres] by 8 yards and was known as the Allendale Hotel. A signboard outside the one bar, one bedroomed… Read More ›
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The flamboyant, singing publican
By MICK ROBERTS © A FLAMBOYANT opera singer, who gained his stage name from actress Ann Sheridan, was the publican responsible for giving Jamberoo its English Tudor style pub. The larger than life character is said to have renovated… Read More ›
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How Surry Hills’ former Belmore Park Hotel got its name
NOW a bustling little café, the former Belmore Park Hotel at the corner of Mary and Reservoir Streets, Surry Hills was established in 1870 by 33-year-old Henry Qualmer and his wife Teresa. The Qualmers hosted the pub through the 1870s,… Read More ›
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Gin Gin’s three pubs
THE best example of community spirit and good fellowship is in a little Queensland township named Gin Gin. There are three hotels, and three nights per week the drinking section of the community visited each one of these hotels in… Read More ›
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The swear bottle at the Marlborough Hotel
THE little lady schoolteacher was positively outraged by the swearing at the pub (though she did admit that “bull” was allowable, this being the heart of Brahmin country). So she put a large bottle on the bar: “SWEAR BOTTLE, IN… Read More ›
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Drag show at Perth’s Adelphi Hotel raised money for needy children
YOU could be forgiven for thinking that this beaut newspaper photo shows one of Perth’s first drag shows. Well, if you thought so, you’re not too far wrong. In fact, headed, “Masculine Manneqins”, in the Daily News in July 1947,… Read More ›
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Norm Kelly and the White Horse Hotel, Charters Towers
NORM Kelly (pictured) knew there was tin in that hill; he knew it deep in his heart. But he was out prospecting with his uncle, who was the boss, and he said, “No.” So they went fossicking somewhere else.Then two… Read More ›
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Belmore Hotel, Belmore: Canterbury mayor’s controversial £50 gift for favourable evidence in application for Sydney pub license
THE Belmore Hotel, in Sydney’s south-west, began business controversially in 1928. Parramatta publican, Harry Gadd transferred his license of the Park Gate Hotel to the corner of Burwood Road and Tobruk Avenue, Belmore on August 14 1928. The 51-year-old publican… Read More ›