The history of Australia’s drinking culture from rum as a currency to non-alcoholic wine – ABC News

Australia’s first prime minister, Edmund ‘Toby’ Barton, was many things: A leader, a visionary and as one of his obituaries summed up, “a great Australian”.

And, according to author Matt Murphy, he was also “an outright drunk”.

“His nickname was Toby Tosspot … [At the time] these things were considered endearing,” he tells ABC RN’s Rear Vision.

The history of Australia’s drinking culture from rum as a currency to non-alcoholic wine – ABC News