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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Yanks singing in the bar
When Police Constable Pinner visited the Mundijong Hotel (Western Australia) at 8pm on April 1 he found a crowd of Yanks and Australians singing in the lounge. Bar door was open, and the barman was wiping down the counter and… Read More ›
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Barmaids topped the poll
These three barmaids topped the poll in the Popular Barmaid contest held in aid of the Parents and Citizens’ Federation funds, to provide comforts in schools. The winner was Miss Laurie Hawe (top left), of the Oceanic Hotel, Coogee. Second… Read More ›
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Topless barmaids charged after helping launch Courage beer in Victoria
Courage Beer attempted to break the stranglehold Carlton & United had on the beer market in Victoria with its launch on October 10, 1968. Courage introduced a range of brands and undertook a massive marketing and promotions campaign in Victorian… Read More ›
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The Warren View Hotel, Enmore
REVIEW: Sitting on the busy intersection of inner-west Sydney’s Stanmore and Enmore Roads is a survivor, a business that has stood the test of time, trading through evolving drinking habits and social values, offering the folk of Enmore, Marrickville and… Read More ›
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Beer on ‘The Hill’
Getting ready for half-time at the football matches. Men dragging barrels of beer yesterday morning up the hill to the bar alongside the scoring board at the Sydney Cricket Ground- The Sun (Sydney, NSW) Sunday 22 June 1924.
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Long Drought Ends Beer Drinkers
ALMOST A LOST ART – drinkers lining the bar at the Orient Hotel, George-street North (The Rocks), today, where the beer “came on” at 11.20am. There was little talk. – The Sun (Sydney, NSW ) Wednesday 10 April 1946.
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Discovery of old coins
HIDDEN IN CEILING OF BUILDING. While making repairs at the Farmers’ Arms Hotel, on the southern road, two miles from Bathurst, the licensee, Mr R. Whitmarsh, found a tin containing about £14 in silver coins, hidden in the ceiling of the… Read More ›
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Rooms ransacked
“HOTEL BARBER” SEEN, BUT ESCAPES ROOMS were ransacked and two suitcases were cut open at the Eagle Hotel, Hindley street, Adelaide, last night by a “hotel barber”, who was almost captured in a lavatory. He jumped through a window and… Read More ›
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The Duracks 47 year reign at the Newmarket Hotel, Surry Hills
By MICK ROBERTS © THE remaining historic inner-city pubs of Sydney hold countless sad and tragic secrets. After the Great War many soldiers returned to Australia’s shores dealing with personal psychological traumas. This is the likely explanation behind the terrible… Read More ›
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Shearer shot dead in Uralla pub
A SHEARER named Emanuel Consett Polsen came to an untimely death in the bar of Uralla’s Royal Hotel in 1912 after an argument erupted with Alexander Handcock. The Border Morning Mail reported on Monday February 12, 1912: Emanuel Consett Polsen… Read More ›