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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Commercial Hotel, Gulgong
TRAGIC DEATH OF YOUNG MARRIED WOMAN Body Found in Hotel Yard Gloom was cast over the whole of Gulgong (NSW) last Friday when it was reported that Mrs Myra Herrick, wife of Mr Ron Herrick, was found dead at the… Read More ›
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Post Office Hotel, Gulgong
The Illumination of Gulgong. Mr. George Waite, the Gulgong plumber, has just completed the fitting up of an ascetylene gas plant at the Post Office Hotel, and that building is now splendidly lighted within and without. The ascetylene gas has… Read More ›
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Centennial Hotel, Gulgong
Punter puts it over Gulgong hotelkeeper AFTER last Gulgong race meeting a sad-eyed man approached Charlie Copeland at the Centennial Hotel bar and moodily asked for a “punter of beer.” “A punter!” exclaimed Charlie. “That’s a new one on me…. Read More ›
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Wentworth Hotel, Flemington
50 IN BAR WHEN OLD BUILDING CRASHED WITH a terrific crash, tons of bricks, woodwork, and iron collapsed at the old Wentworth Hotel, Parramatta-road, Flemington, shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday. Portion of the debris shattered the back wall of the… Read More ›
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Turtle calls for a drink
TODAY’S HEAT was too much for this turtle. This morning it walked into an hotel on the South road, Edwardstown (SA), and seemed on the point of collapse. The hotelkeeper put it on a block of ice and gave it a… Read More ›
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Burial service for parrot
Strange But True One of the strangest graves in the ancient Western Road cemetery at Parramatta (NSW) is that of a parrot. For twenty years the bird entertained travellers at one of the hotels, and the wife of the hotelkeeper become… Read More ›
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Thirsty termites
DARWIN’S termites are gaining fame. The recent news of their destruction of £300 worth of beer stored in a galvanised iron salt-strewn shed reminds a Cairns (N.Q.) resident of another incident of 20 years ago. He was then proprietor of… Read More ›
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Norwood Hotel, Norwood SA
EXTERMINATOR Mr. C. E. Cumnick, of Fullarton, inspects the floor of the dining room of the Norwood Hotel, which has been partly eaten away by white ants. He opened the floor and found that a stump, 5 ft. in diameter,… Read More ›
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Exchange Hotel, Murrumburrah
Discovery of a Skeleton. While engaged in repairing the Exchange Hotel, Murrumburrah (NSW) on Friday week, two men unearthed the skeleton of a human being under a site formerly occupied by a bedroom. The remains, which were found about nine… Read More ›
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Mooreland Hotel, Brunswick
SUDDEN DEATH. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Violet Amy Preston, wife of the licensee of the Moreland Hotel, Brunswick (Vic.), died suddenly. She was working in the bar during the morning. Later she retired to a private parlor, where she fell asleep… Read More ›