sentences:  In many cases, pubs were the first structures built in newly colonised areas, especially on the goldfields, and new towns often grew up around them.Pubs typically served multiple functions, simultaneously serving as hostelry, post office, restaurant, meeting place and sometimes even general store.Pubs proliferated during the 19th century, especially during the gold rush that began in the 1850s, and many fine examples were built in the state capitals and major regional cities and towns.