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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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 ›
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Clifton’s historic pub up for sale
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The Transcontinental Hotel, Brisbane
THE Transcontinental Hotel was constructed in 1883-4. In 1879 Peter Murphy, wine and spirit merchant, leased premises in George Street from Francois Boudin. In 1881 he acquired the adjoining vacant land. On 28 August 1883 Peter Murphy, then publican and… Read More ›