Mick Roberts

A journalist, writer and historian, Mick Roberts specialises in Australian cultural history, particularly associated with the Australian hotel and liquor industry. Mick has had an interest in revealing the colourful story of Australian pubs and associated industries for over 30 years. He is working on a comprehensive history of the hotel and liquor industry in the Illawarra region of NSW. Besides writing a number of history books, Mick managed several community newspapers. He has been editor of 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 worked for Rural Press, Cumberland (News Limited), the Sydney city newspaper, City News, and Torch Publications based in Canterbury Bankstown, NSW.
Mick Roberts has written 2019 posts for The Bulli & Clifton Times

Bulli’s historic Denmark Hotel goes up for sale again

BULLI’S much-loved Denmark Hotel is up for sale again. The heritage-listed building will be auctioned on June 24. Owner, Sean Hannon, who reportedly has “run out of steam”, bought the former coaching inn and hotel in 2011 for $427,000 with a vision to transform the historic building into exclusive apartments. After more than a decade … Continue reading

Southbound on-ramp to the M1 Princes Motorway from Appin Road closed to traffic next week

MOTORISTS are advised of upcoming changed traffic conditions on Appin Road southbound for road repair and resurfacing work next week. During the work detours will be in place via Old Mount Ousley Road and M1 Princes Motorway.  Motorists travelling northbound will not be impacted. The southbound on-ramp to the M1 Princes Motorway from Appin Road … Continue reading

Council gives green light for electric vehicle charging stations on public land

PROVIDERS can now establish, operate and maintain electric vehicle charging infrastructure on Wollongong City Council-owned or managed land. Last week, Council voted unanimously to adopt a new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure on Public Land Policy. The new policy was finalised following a round of community consultation earlier this year, where 98 per cent of submissions supported … Continue reading

After more than half a century, Platypus returned to Hacking River in ambitious re-population effort

FOR the first time in half a century, the Royal National Park, on the doorstep of the northern Illawarra, will have a population of platypus. Scientists from UNSW Sydney have re-introduced platypuses to the Hacking River after an absence of more than 50 years since a confirmed sighting of the iconic native animals. Leading a team … Continue reading

Repair work completed on Lawrence Hargrave Drive landslip ahead of schedule

LANDSLIP repairs on Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Stanwell Tops have been completed ahead of schedule. A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said its work crews understood how the night time full road closures and day time part closures were causing inconvenience to the local community and made every effort to get the job done as … Continue reading

Asbestos concerns closes Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park

THE Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to allow for an investigation into claims that asbestos containing material has been found in a jump on a track. As a consequence, the park has been closed since Thursday, May 4 after concerns were raised with Wollongong City Council that there … Continue reading

Woonona rock pool amenities block closed for three weeks for maintenance work

THE amenities block at Woonona rock pool will be closed and fenced off for three weeks to allow for Wollongong City Council to undertake maintenance work. During the works, the rock pool and external showers will remain open to swimmers and two temporary toilets will be available for community use. The work includes: A Council … Continue reading

Bulli Pass closed to traffic for two days this month

BULLI Pass will be closed for maintenance work between Lawrence Hargrave Drive and M1 Princes Motorway for two days this month. Work includes trimming vegetation, clearing gutters and drains, line marking, bridge inspections and maintenance of guardrails, signs and safety ramps. The road will be closed in both directions between 9am and 3pm on Tuesday … Continue reading

Northern sporting groups share in funding

A NUMBER of northern sporting groups have shared $423,000 in financial assistance through Wollongong City Council’s Sports Grants Program. Successful recipients of the grants include Helensburgh Off Road Cycling (shade and seating), Russell Vale Junior Rugby League (drainage works), Helensburgh Thistles (car park fencing replacement), and Northern Districts Cricket (net renewal). This round of grant … Continue reading

Slacky Flat set for transformation as greyhound racing plans for move from Bulli to Dapto

SLACKY Flat Park will be restored as the north’s premier recreation venue, hosting concerts and festivals, markets, retail shows, family events and sport, under plans put forward by Wollongong City Council. The draft Bulli Showground Master Plan has been endorsed by Council for community engagement, enabling the public to have an input into what a … Continue reading

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,132 other subscribers