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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Bar-room baron
Charles Walker, oldest customer of a Surry Hills (Sydney NSW) hotel, was honored with a “knighthood” yesterday – Daily News (Sydney, NSW) Wednesday 4 January 1939.
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Town Hall Hotel, Newtown
ROBBERY IN HOTEL Secreting themselves in the boiler room of the Town Hall Hotel, King-street, Newtown, before closing time yesterday, thieves emerged from their hiding place after the last customer had gone, and stole 50 bottles of whisky, 175 packets of cigarettes and… Read More ›
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Tassie’s mushroom pub at Jericho
Its walls collapsing and roof gone, this historic hotel on the Midlands Highway, near Jericho, is disappearing fast. Alongside it are the ruined stables where generations ago coach horses were changed. The building has been vacant for two years. Since then it… Read More ›
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White Horse effigy and the Box Hill pub
By MICK ROBERTS © PATRICK Trainer built a coaching inn that would later become famous for a white timber horse that sat over the doorway of its public bar. The White Horse Hotel, a two-storey brick building, was a change-over… Read More ›
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Bendigo’s Albert Hotel had a secret ‘after hours’ passage for customers
Have you heard stories of secret passages and hidden doorways in pubs? Concealed passages and doors allowed drinkers discretely to enter and leave bars ‘after-hours’, away from the prying eyes of the law, and to enjoy the pub at the… Read More ›
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‘I allus has wan at eleven’: The story of Sam Knott who enjoyed his beer at 11
By MICK ROBERTS © Have you wondered about that old weather beaten bloke standing at the bar in those Carlton and United Brewery posters? You know, the one proclaiming ‘I allus has wan at eleven’? His name was Sam Knott… Read More ›
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Shilling glass deposit at Townsville pub
One Shilling deposit is demanded on these glasses being handed to beer drinkers in a Townsville hotel. No beer is served until all glasses are issued. If glass is chipped or broken drinker forfeits the shilling. – The Sydney Sun Friday 24 December 1943.
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Pub crawl with a twist
RETURNED soldier Jim Moody, of East St. Kilda, Melbourne, crawled one mile, from Spring-st to Spencer-st, Melbourne, carrying a glass of beer to win a £5 bet that Middle East men were “tougher” than New Guinea veterans. – Toodyay Herald… Read More ›
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Old timers at Kurri Kurri
Robert Bruce, 74, and Andy Callaghan, 73, retired mineworkers, chat over a cool glass of beer at Kurri Kurri yesterday. – Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW) Tuesday 6 December 1949.
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School’s in…
Digger (right) holds glass of beer in one hand, “tosses ’em” with the other, while others of the impromptu Hay Street (Perth) school” await the result. – The Daily News (Perth, WA) Friday 22 November 1940.