Scott began researching about 5 years ago on what started out as a fun trip around Australia to have a beer in every Railway Hotel.
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He quickly saw a book could be written about the history of Railway Hotels in Australia.
He has published Volume I about Railway Hotels in Victoria and has now added Volume II about New South Wales.
He recently held talks at Forbes, Orange and Cowra libraries talking about the coming of the railway to country towns.
He spoke about the social, economic and political themes raised by the coming of the railway and local Railway Hotels.
“It’s been enjoyable research talking to publicans, the old fella in the corner, finding the stories may or may not be true, but that’s where you start getting information, “ Scott Whitaker said.
He said some pubs ended up far away from railway stations, others were purposely built for the arrival of railway and there were four locations where politician promised a railway but it never came. He also talked about the history of hotels - hotel licensing, 6 o’clock closing and the licences reduction board.
Scott Whitaker has also completed a book on QLD Railway Hotels and is working on one for rest of Australia. He emphasised the importance of research and preserving our local history.
