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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The first Imperial Hotel, Newtown
AN old woman named Catherine Hind was charged at the Newtown Police Court to-day with having stolen an alarm clock belonging to David Ward, and with having a white dress and toilet cover in her possession supposed to have been stolen. She was arrested on… Read More ›
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Death of a Lunatic
AN inquest was held yesterday at the Observer Tavern as to the cause of death of Louis Murray,a sailor, about 41 years of age, who had been lodging at the Whaler’s Arms Hotel, Millar’s Point. During the last few days he had… Read More ›
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Let’s wipe out these fetishes that spoil our pub drinking
Do you like a “spot” unmarred by an etiquette-forced minor orgy? This writer complains that he can’t go into a local pub without being pulled into an expensive “circle.” He’s right, too. It’s silly, this etiquette we’ve built around a simple noggin…. Read More ›
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Beer by lamp light
Perth, Western Australia had major electricity loss following a breakdown at the East Perth power house in May 1946. Householders received only intermittent electricity supplies, while there was no general supplies for city shops and businesses for days. “A city… Read More ›
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Patronised same hotel for 62 years.
Won’t Have Pints. First customer to drink from one of the new 20 oz. pints at the Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton, yesterday was Mr. Bob Hall, 87, who has been drinking at that hotel for 62 years. “That is the… Read More ›
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Schooner Not Yet Over Bar
THE NEW 20 oz. schooner beer glass, with the present 16 oz. schooner glass and the ‘middie.’ The Premier (Mr. McGirr) has announced that 400,000 of these new schooners will be manufactured, tested and stamped by October 1. However, they will not come into use until… Read More ›
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Licensing Police Solve Case of Disappearing Men
Find Them Hiding in Hotel Cellar Amongst Beer Barrels. Recently the Licensing Police, covertly posted,observed several men enter a South Melbourne hotel about 9.30 p.m. Deciding that a good ‘bag’ was gathered, they knocked and, after some delay, were admitted to the premises. A search… Read More ›
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Fatal fall down a hotel cellar
An inquest was held at the City Coroner’s Court concerning the death of Michael Norris, 56, late licensee of the Port Jackson Hotel,George-street North, which occurred at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital on Sunday last, the result of injuries sustained through falling down a cellar… Read More ›
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Micky the parrot worked for charity at Clifton’s Imperial Hotel
BUSINESS identities, Rube and Jack Hargrave took over the management of the Imperial Hotel at Clifton, north of Wollongong, in 1956. The husband and wife team operated the cliff side pub in the Illawarra region of NSW for 17 years… Read More ›
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Bar Sales Success
Nurses from hospitals were in the City yesterday for the Wattle Day collection. Nurse M. Graham, of Watt-street Mental Hospital, was a successful saleswoman after she had ventured into a hotel during the 4 to 6pm rush. – Newcastle Morning… Read More ›