By MICK ROBERTS © WHEN returned serviceman John William Wall applied to become a publican at the age of 42, the Licensing Magistrate had some misgivings, doubting his ability. Wall was blind, and the magistrate was unsure he would be… Read More ›
THERE was once a Queensland publican who refused accommodation to a couple of ‘scab’ labourers, either out of fear, or to show support for the union during the height of the great shearers’ strike of 1891. The 1891 shearers’ strike is… Read More ›
By MICK ROBERTS © A CANNY Scotsman with a reputation for being careful with his money, Jimmy Richardson, was one of Australia’s most successful hoteliers. Jimmy built an empire of Melbourne hotels, before selling them all – with the exception of… Read More ›
Theatrics, drama and drinking at colonial inn By MICK ROBERTS © AMID the clanging of pewter mugs, narrating of bawdy poetry, raucous sing-a-longs, and of course, the ale induced bellowing of theatrical recitals, stood Sydney innkeeper, William ‘Bill’ Dind. Dind… Read More ›
The frontier pubs of Cooktown By MICK ROBERTS © THERE are not many places to quench the thirst on the three hour journey along the Mulligan Highway to Cooktown, but the quality of the pubs on the 250km trek sure… Read More ›
From time to time there have been curious happenings in Australia in connection with funerals, and the latest ranks with the most piquant. This is how the story goes; A funeral party that came to bury Jim Carroll, one of… Read More ›
WEIGHING a hefty 46 stone, or just over 290 kilograms, “Jolly Nelly”, the cook at the Beach Hotel, was dubbed “The world’s fattest lady”. Nelly was brought to Sydney from America to be part of Arthur Greenhalgh’s ‘freak show’ before… Read More ›
By MICK ROBERTS © FROM a humble innkeeper on the NSW South Coast, with a keen interest in horse racing, to one of Australia’s wealthiest businessmen, the story of George Adams centres firmly on Sydney’s Tattersalls Hotel. Having a punt… Read More ›
A pub filled with history McCONKEY’S Hotel has been a landmark at Bodalla [on the NSW South Coast] for many years, and is overflowing with history. Established in 1875 and owned by The Bodalla (Pastoral) Company until the 1930s… Read More ›
