On Tap
Last updated: 17.12.19
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Printed: 1999 Author: Mark McKay
Publisher: Wakefield Press ISBN: 1862544735
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A Cavalcade of Trivia and Tall Stories Celebrating 200 Years of the Australian Pub
Paperback, 160 pages, (September 1999) Usually ships within 24 hours.
Amazon Review
The spirit of australian pubs, captured within one tiny book
The pub to Australians is an institution held in such high esteem it's amazing that more don't actually live in them and cut out travelling time. From the time that hotels were first licensed in 1796 to the present day the humble pub has had at least some influence over each pillar of Australian society - religion, politics, exploration, transport, the arts, and (of course) sport! Most sports nuts would not be surprised to find that their national game(Australian Rules Football) was founded in a pub, across the road from the games revered headquarters, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The first newspapers, postal services and unions also originated in various pubs. The national airline, Qantas, and what amounts to be the national anthem, 'Waltzing Matilda' both had their origins in thirsty Western Queensland watering holes. It's really no wonder why the Aussie Pub is revered, not only to those who have the great fortune to down a couple of quiet beers in one, but also as an icon and a pointer to the way this great nation thinks! "On Tap" was a lot of fun to write, and I hope a great deal of fun to read. Amongst the pages are many historical facts and true events which were thoroughly checked, but the entries of a more anecdotal nature were let ride. I mean, does anybody really believe in the Nullarbor Nymph, a brazen hussy that used to cross the Eyre Highway in the desert town of Eucla just as the interstate buses rolled on through...? It doesn't matter, yarns have been told at the bar for 200 years and will continue on well after "On Tap" is pulped and used for egg cartons. If you're an Australian, read "On Tap", it's more likely than not you'll recognise many staples of everyday life in there. If you're not an Australian, here's a pretty good anthropological guide to who we are, what we're about, and what sort of sense of humour we've got. Cheers!
Mark McKay