BEER STRIKE -

It takes a lot to stop thirsty miners from drinking beer but in 1919 perhaps the only 'beer strike' in the history of Western Australia happened at Gwalia.

The miners complained about the manager, who they wanted sacked, about the dirty glasses, the size of serves, the price and even the brand of beer sold. They submitted a list of demands and 50 residents boycotted the State Hotel.

The strike lasted from March to September but it does not seem to be recorded which side won. The sly-grog shops in town would certainly have increased their trade during the boycott.

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