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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Beware the grog at the Black Dog
By MICK ROBERTS © BEWARE the grog at the Black Dog, they warned. And for good reason! A short, but steep walk up Brown Bear Lane from George Street at The Rocks during the first half of the 19th century, would… Read More ›
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The Hero of The Rocks
By LESLIE F. HANNON TURN down any of the jigsaw streets on the northernside of Wynyard Square, run down the rock-hewn steps, slip through the twisting lanes behind the bondstores, and you are standing in chapter one of Australia’s history. The stout chipped stone blocks of the hotels, shops, warehouses, and residential that crowd the foot paths can tell… Read More ›
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Oddities Among Australia’s Outback Inns
By BILL BEATTY DESERTED homesteads in the outback country are by no means uncommon, but a deserted hotel – fully furnished – is a novelty, at least in these days. Yet there is such a hotel near the old mining township… Read More ›
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Mrs Watford’s pub
ANOTHER chapter in the eventful history of the Hotel York, King Street, City, was begun at the Quarter Sessions Appeals Court last Monday.The hotel is to have a new licensee. Or rather, the old one is to come back again.Back over the door will go… Read More ›
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Deprave child’s fondness for beer
THE Ballarat police are investigating a case in which it is alleged a boy five and a half years old was found in a state of intoxication. The child was left by his mother with two male acquaintances of hers in the street. The men… Read More ›
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Cabbage Tree Inn, Fairy Meadow
NORTH ILLAWARRA COUNCIL. Tuesday , August 6 1883. Moved by Alderman Ryan – That the Clerk be instructed to write to the Postmaster-General requesting that the name of the post office be changed from “Cabbage Tree” to Fairy Meadow”. The name of the… Read More ›
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Publicans and guests ‘got by’ in one-day hotel strike
Illawarra Mercury Thursday 8 December 1949: Hotel bars in the Illawarra district were closed on Thursday owing to the one day stop work meeting of members of the Hotels and Restaurant Employees’ Union. For publicans’ wives and families it was one of the busiest days on record,… Read More ›
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Prosperous and thirsty town
A recent visitor to Mt. Isa (Q.) says it is the only town he has ever been in for the past three years in which there was no talk of depression. There, he saw thirsty miners being allowed into a hotel bar in relays…. Read More ›
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Barmaids never die
WHEN a law was passed in Victoria forbidding the employment of women in hotel bars, it was decided that those already employed could stay on. That was 37 years ago. There were then 3,688 registered barmaids. Recently a new count was taken. There are still 3,688 barmaids… Read More ›
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Grosvenor Hotel, Ultimo – Man kicked to death
IN the early hours of New Year’s morning a horse trainer named Robert Crooks, 28, was brutally done to death in Quay-street, Ultimo. Crooks received dreadful injuries at the hands and feet of his cowardly assailants; but,notwithstanding the fearful nature of his injuries, did net… Read More ›