The death of pioneering publican Reg Tolley By MICK ROBERTS © THE suspicious death of a publican, who was pioneering improvements in the drinking habits of Australians, made headlines around the country in 1952 when detectives ordered the exhumation of… Read More ›
By MICK ROBERTS © THE Dapto Agricultural Hall, south of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of NSW, had a ‘full house’ on the evening of Wednesday October 6 1897. The large and enthusiastic audience had gathered to be entertained by… Read More ›
By MICK ROBERTS © IN a secluded, heavily timbered valley in the Victorian Highlands, about 20 km north-east of Morwell, once traded a small timber inn, famous for serving-up to its guests mouth-watering roast beef, crisp brown potatoes, and ‘long-uns’… Read More ›
By MICK ROBERTS © THE Glenrowan Inn where the bushranger Ned Kelly’s ‘last stand’ took place in 1880 is likely Australia’s most infamous pub. While the history of bushranger Ned Kelly is well documented, the story of Glenrowan Inn host,… Read More ›
FORMER world bantamweight champion, Jimmy Carruthers, claimed that serving beer in a crowded bar was harder than a day’s gymnasium work. Carruthers, after his retirement from the ring, spent a few weeks working at the Terminus Hotel, Singleton (NSW) during… Read More ›
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 ›
