Shanty Pub - Australian History Mogo South Coast NSW

Old Mogo Town, Tourism theme park near Batemans Bay, south coast NSW

Shanties

Shanties fulfilled many functions, and Mogo boasted 38 establishments at the height of the goldrush, ranging from shanties to sly grog tents. An example is the reconstructed Majors Creek Hotel, the timber for which was donated by Hugh Mclaren.

Shanties were the centre of social activities during the goldrush, partly as a result of the wealth of the miners and also due to the loneliness of the men (they outnumbered women by about six to one). They completed most of their transactions using mustard gold and the publican would heavily discount the price now that the responsibility of handing over the gold, in accordance with the law, was on his shoulders.

The possession of quantities of gold also meant that a publican could become a target for bushrangers, such as the notorious Clarke Brothers.

The publicans were not averse to "shaking down" their customers and often placed mats along the front of the bar to pick up any dust inadvertently spilt. The diggers were of the belief tha the gold was never going to run out and therefore were quite profligate with their wealth.

The more sophisticated shanties were often the best place to get a bath, which were said to have been refilled after every tenth bather.

Multiple choice menus would have been just a figment of the imagination when one walked into a Mogo tavern in 1855. All that would have been available was a stew, most probably called "Potluck". Stews were standard fare because the expense and shortage of food meant that nothing was wasted. The best way to present food that was well past its use by date was to put it in a large pot along with lots of salt and flavouring and give it a good cooking.

shanty-pub-cook

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