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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Palace Hotel croc attack
CROCODILE IN STREET ATTACKS A CONSTABLE. BRISBANE, Friday. While two constables were walking along the main street of Townsville early yesterday morning, a crocodile, three and a half feet long, suddenly rose from the gutter, and snapped at a leg… Read More ›
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The 1948 crocodile encounter at Hotel Darwin
AUSTRALIA’S Top End has always lent itself to an excellent crocodile tale. The last place you would expect an encounter with one of the Northern Territory’s deadly crocs would be at the bar of a pub. But this is Darwin,… Read More ›
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Zetland Hotel, Zetland
A working Class Pub By MICK ROBERTS © WALKING into the public bar of the Zetland Hotel, in the southern suburbs of Sydney, it’s not difficult to see that this is a working class pub. It’s a fascinating tiled, corner… Read More ›
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Rolling out the barrels
The “Beer Barrel Polka” was enacted in earnest at Haymarket today when, following a mishap to a brewers’ waggon, barrels cascaded over the street. Some of the people’s interest waned, however, when it was learned that they were empty. – The… Read More ›
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Darwin beer supply ‘white-anted’
Darwin beer drinkers may have to curb their thirst. It has been discovered that secret drinkers have disposed of £300 worth of beer from the reserve stock of a local publican. When the store was opened this week the scene… Read More ›
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Arno Bay Hotel
Bee in Ear Just before the gong was to be sounded for Christmas dinner at the Arno Bay Hotel (SA) the waitress went to the tank to obtain a jug of water for the table, when a bee flew into… Read More ›
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Hotel Gosford
DOG HAS SENSE OF TIME. GOSFORD (NSW), Sunday. – Gosford has a woolly Airedale with a time sense. Basking in the sun all day “Jock” meanders down to the Hotel Gosford punctually at 5 o’clock each evening, forces his way… Read More ›
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Rocklea Hotel, Rocklea
Rocklea’s skeleton in the closet By MICK ROBERTS© FOR a pub that has served up beer for more than a century, there’s sure to be a few good yarns, and a skeleton or two in the closest, when researching its… Read More ›
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Ship Inn, Circular Quay, Sydney
RUM CASK ON FIRE SYDNEY Tuesday. when a match was struck in a cellar at Plasto’s Ship Hotel, Circular Quay, to-day, a cask of rum caught fire and the blaze threatened a stack of barrels containing 1000 gallons of liquor. Henry Plasto… Read More ›
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Marshal MacMahon Hotel, Wallabadah
Wallabadah is a town in the New England region of NSW. The town is located 55km south of Tamworth on the New England Highway and is about 15km from Quirindi. The heritage-listed Marshall MacMahon Hotel opened for business in March… Read More ›